The Jungle Book
Abandoned after an accident, baby Mowgli is taken and raised by a family of wolves. As the boy grows older, the wise panther Bagheera realizes he must be returned to his own kind in the nearby man-village. Baloo the bear, however, thinks differently, taking the young Mowgli under his wing and teaching him that living in the jungle is the best life there is. Bagheera realizes that Mowgli is in danger, particularly from Shere Khan the tiger who hates all people. When Baloo finally comes around, Mowgli runs off into the jungle where he survives a second encounter with Kaa the snake and finally, with Shere Khan. It's the sight of a pretty girl, however, that draws Mowgli to the nearby man-village and stay there.
Despite its tight budget of $4.0M, The Jungle Book became a commercial juggernaut, earning $378.0M worldwide—a remarkable 9350% return. The film's bold vision connected with viewers, showing that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 6 wins & 4 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Jungle Book (1967) reveals strategically placed narrative design, characteristic of Wolfgang Reitherman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 18 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.5, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Bagheera the panther discovers an abandoned baby in a basket by the river in the jungle, establishing Mowgli's origins as a human child raised among animals.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when Akela announces that Shere Khan the tiger has returned to the jungle. Since Shere Khan hates man and will surely kill Mowgli, the wolf pack decides the man-cub must leave for the man-village.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After arguing with Bagheera and declaring he can take care of himself, Mowgli meets Baloo the bear. Mowgli actively chooses to stay with Baloo rather than continue to the man-village, entering the carefree world of "The Bare Necessities."., moving from reaction to action.
At 40 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat After the ruins collapse, Bagheera confronts Baloo privately. Baloo realizes and admits that the jungle is too dangerous for Mowgli and agrees he must go to the man-village. The carefree adventure is over - false defeat as Baloo must betray Mowgli's trust., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 58 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Mowgli sits alone in the desolate jungle, abandoned by everyone he trusted. The vultures find him utterly defeated and friendless. This is his lowest point - completely alone with no one to protect him from the approaching Shere Khan., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 62 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Baloo arrives to fight Shere Khan, and lightning strikes a nearby tree. Mowgli realizes fire is "man's red flower" - the one thing Shere Khan fears. He synthesizes his human nature with jungle knowledge, choosing to use mankind's tool., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Jungle Book's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping The Jungle Book against these established plot points, we can identify how Wolfgang Reitherman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Jungle Book within the animation genre.
Wolfgang Reitherman's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Wolfgang Reitherman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.8, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. The Jungle Book takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Wolfgang Reitherman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, Puss in Boots and Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll. For more Wolfgang Reitherman analyses, see Robin Hood, The Rescuers and The Aristocats.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Bagheera the panther discovers an abandoned baby in a basket by the river in the jungle, establishing Mowgli's origins as a human child raised among animals.
Theme
Bagheera narrates that Mowgli was raised by wolves for ten years, but notes "it was known that someday he would have to go back to his own kind" - stating the theme that one cannot escape their true nature.
Worldbuilding
The jungle world is established: Mowgli's adoption by wolves, his happy life in the pack, and the council meeting where the animals debate his fate now that Shere Khan has returned to the territory.
Disruption
Akela announces that Shere Khan the tiger has returned to the jungle. Since Shere Khan hates man and will surely kill Mowgli, the wolf pack decides the man-cub must leave for the man-village.
Resistance
Bagheera volunteers to escort Mowgli to the man-village. Their journey begins with Mowgli resistant and defiant, encountering Kaa the snake who attempts to hypnotize and eat the boy, demonstrating the jungle's dangers.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After arguing with Bagheera and declaring he can take care of himself, Mowgli meets Baloo the bear. Mowgli actively chooses to stay with Baloo rather than continue to the man-village, entering the carefree world of "The Bare Necessities."
Mirror World
Baloo teaches Mowgli "The Bare Necessities" - a philosophy of carefree living and contentment with simple pleasures. Baloo becomes Mowgli's mirror character, representing the temptation to avoid responsibility and stay in the comfortable jungle life.
Premise
Mowgli enjoys jungle adventures: bonding with Baloo, being kidnapped by monkeys to the ancient ruins, and the fun rescue sequence where Baloo disguises himself as an ape while King Louie sings "I Wan'na Be Like You."
Midpoint
After the ruins collapse, Bagheera confronts Baloo privately. Baloo realizes and admits that the jungle is too dangerous for Mowgli and agrees he must go to the man-village. The carefree adventure is over - false defeat as Baloo must betray Mowgli's trust.
Opposition
Baloo tries to tell Mowgli he must leave. Mowgli, feeling betrayed, runs away alone into the jungle. He encounters the elephant patrol, Kaa again, and wanders lost while Shere Khan actively hunts for him.
Collapse
Mowgli sits alone in the desolate jungle, abandoned by everyone he trusted. The vultures find him utterly defeated and friendless. This is his lowest point - completely alone with no one to protect him from the approaching Shere Khan.
Crisis
The vultures befriend Mowgli and try to cheer him up, but Shere Khan arrives and confronts the boy directly. Mowgli refuses to run, showing defiant courage even as he faces death alone.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Baloo arrives to fight Shere Khan, and lightning strikes a nearby tree. Mowgli realizes fire is "man's red flower" - the one thing Shere Khan fears. He synthesizes his human nature with jungle knowledge, choosing to use mankind's tool.
Synthesis
Mowgli ties a burning branch to Shere Khan's tail, defeating the tiger and saving Baloo. After believing Baloo dead and mourning him, Mowgli rejoices when Baloo revives. They approach the man-village together.
Transformation
Mowgli sees a girl from the man-village fetching water. Enchanted, he willingly follows her into the village, finally accepting his human identity. Baloo and Bagheera watch him go, acknowledging he's where he belongs.