'' The Jungle Book '' received positive reviews upon release , undoubtedly influenced by a nostalgic reaction to the death of Walt Disney . '' Time '' noted that the film strayed far from the Kipling stories , but " n evertheless , the result is thoroughly delightful ... it is the happiest possible way to remember Walt Disney . " Howard Thompson of '' The New York Times '' praised the film as " simple , uncluttered , straight-forward fun , as put together by the director , Wolfgang Reitherman , four screen writers and the usual small army of technicians . Using some lovely exotic pastel backgrounds and a nice clutch of tunes , the picture unfolds like an intelligent comic-strip fairy tale " . Richard Schickel , reviewing for '' Life '' magazine , referred to it as " the best thing of its kind since '' Dumbo '' , another short , bright , unscary and blessedly uncultivated cartoon . " '' Variety '' gave the film a favorable review while noting that " the story development is restrained " and that younger audiences " may squirm at times . " The song " The Bare Necessities " was nominated for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards , losing to " Talk to the Animals " from '' Doctor Dolittle '' . Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Gregory Peck lobbied extensively for this film to be nominated for Best Picture , but was unsuccessful
40th Academy Awards
40th Academy Awards
The Jungle Book (1967 film)