Mickey Mouse in the Vietnam War? He is not an urban legend, this animator imagined him in the 60s and he is as sinister as you imagine
In the crazy world of animation, especially when we look at the productions made by amateurs or students, we often come across unexpected gems that defy expectations and become true cultural milestones. One of these gems is the short film “Bambi Meets Godzilla”a bold and surprising creation that has managed to sneak into position 28 in the book The 50 Greatest Cartoons, challenging the conventions of the industry at the time of its creation in the late 60s. Behind this masterpiece is the talented filmmaker Marv Newlandwhose innovative vision and limitless creativity have left an indelible mark on the world of animation and who also had no qualms about send Mickey Mouse to the Vietnam War.
The origin of an animated legend
It was 1969 when Marv Newland, then a student, decided to bring a bold idea to life: an epic encounter between two film icons, Bambi and Godzilla. With a modest budget of just $300, Newland embarked on the adventure of create an irreverent short film would earn a small place in the history of animated cinema. The result was “Bambi Meets Godzilla”, a masterpiece of only one minute and 39 seconds long that at the time surprised with its ingenuity and originality.
In Bambi Meets Godzilla, Newland presents us with a very simple premise: while Bambi peacefully grazes in a field of flowers, his peaceful existence is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Godzilla, whose gigantic foot crushes the innocent fawn in an instant. With dark humor and impeccable execution taking into account Newland’s modest means, it became a small milestone within the circuit of independent animators, and over the years, in an authentic urban legend very real.
Despite its short duration, Bambi Meets Godzilla managed to earn a prominent place in the history of animated cinema and whose influence on pop culture has spread over the yearsinspiring sequels, remakes and recreations that keep its unique essence alive.
The Legacy of Marv Newland
While Bambi Meets Godzilla is perhaps his best-known work, Marv Newland’s legacy goes far beyond this iconic short film. Throughout his career, Newland has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to challenge conventions and explore new frontiers in humor and the world of animation. Another of his notable creations is Mickey Mouse in Vietnama short film that addressed the controversial conflict in an unexpected and moving way.
Newland’s career didn’t end with these hooligan short films. He moved to Vancouver in 1972 and founded International Rocketship Limited in 1975, where he produced and directed numerous short films and animated commercials. He also worked as a freelancer on projects such as the series Barbapapa and directed episodes for The PJ’s and short films for Sesame Street. Several of his films have been preserved by the Academy Film Archive, and his contributions have been recognized at international animation festivals.
Marv Newland’s work has left an indelible mark on the world of animation, inspiring generations of filmmakers and animators with his ingenuity and originality. Her ability to combine humor, satire, and emotional depth in her works has made him an influential figure in the world of animated cinema, in case you thought the idea of bring Godzilla and King Kong together was a modern eccentricity.
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