In 1966, the fate of Walt Disney feature animation was in question. With Walt’s focus divided between television and theme parks, his dynasty no longer ran on animation revenue, and his death during the production of The Jungle Book, forced skepticism for the studio’s lasting presence. Director Woolie Reitherman had the daunting task of finishing a film without his leader at the helm. However, The Jungle Book was not only a hit, it was an instant classic, considered even today to be one of the greatest films the studio ever produced.

Now Disney presents a two-disc 40th anniversary edition DVD, which includes a remastering of the audio and original film negative. It’s no wonder The Jungle Book warranted such a special treatment; animation personalities like Andreas Deja, Brad Bird and Will Finn contribute to the special features of the DVD, reveling in how the film was a unique inspiration to their career paths. Other features include a comparison between Kipling’s book and the movie, the unveiling of the lost character Rocky the Rhino, a look into the making of the film, and a commentary track compiled with contemporary and original artists.

“It’s easy to put animation in its own little sub-category, but ultimately all this is about good storytelling,” says Bruce Reitherman, voice of Mowgli and son of director Woolie Reitherman. ”Walt and the people who worked for him had a feeling for how stories work. There were times when good story was all about building a plot, and there are also projects like Jungle Book, where the story is so simple that it gives great scope for the personalities to shine.”