The Jungle Book (1967 film) versions of both the screenplay and the soundtrack followed Kipling's work more closely, with a dramatic, dark, and sinister tone which Disney did not want in his family film, leading to writer Bill Peet and composer Terry Gilkyson being replaced. The casting employed famous actors and musicians Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, George Sanders and Louis Prima, as well as Disney regulars such as Sterling Holloway, J. Pat O'Malley and Verna Felton, and the director's son, Bruce Reitherman, as Mowgli. "The Jungle Book" was released on October 18, 1967, to positive reception, with acclaim for its soundtrack, featuring five songs by
The Jungle Book (1967 film) Disney Vault on January 31, 2017. In the United States, the DVD and Blu-ray releases sold 12,058,369 units between 2007 and 2016, and have grossed as of August 2018. "The Jungle Book" received positive reviews upon release, undoubtedly influenced by a nostalgic reaction to the death of Walt. "Time" noted that the film strayed far from the Kipling stories, but "the result is thoroughly delightful...it is the happiest possible way to remember Walt Disney." "The New York Times" called it "a perfectly dandy cartoon feature," and "Life" magazine referred to it as "the best thing of its kind since "Dumbo",