The Jungle Book (1994 film) The Jungle Book (1994 film) Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book is a 1994 live-action American adventure film co-written and directed by Stephen Sommers, produced by Edward S. Feldman and Raju Patel, from a story by Ronald Yanover and Mark Geldman. It is the second film adaptation by The Walt Disney Company of the Mowgli stories from "The Jungle Book" and "The Second Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling. The film stars Jason Scott Lee and Lena Headey, and co-stars Cary Elwes, Sam Neill, John Cleese and Jason Flemyng. In this version, the animals do not speak. Released on December 25, 1994,
The Jungle Book (1994 film) for its performances, action, and visuals, but it was also chided for not staying true to Kipling's work, even though his name remains in the title. Noted critic Roger Ebert of "The Chicago Sun-Times" shared this sentiment. He said the film "has so little connection to Rudyard Kipling or his classic book that the title is beyond explanation." He goes on to say that it is a good film, awarding it three stars out of four, but it does not fit its target audience; some "scenes are unsuitable for small children, and the 'PG' rating is laughable." Brian Lowry of