True-Life Adventures Collection

In 1940 Walt Disney got the idea for the first ever nature documentary True Life Adventures during animal studies for his upcoming film Bambi. Instead of imitating the natural through animation, he could just use what was already there.

15 movies 1948 – 1975 13h 24m total

Movies in this collection

Beaver Valley
Beaver Valley

Beaver Valley

1950 32m

The film depicts a young male beaver who must defend his new family against hungry predators, mischievous river otters, and the ever-impending threat of winter.

The Olympic Elk
The Olympic Elk

The Olympic Elk

1952 27m Dir. James Algar

Join the majestic Olympic elk as they traverse the alpine path from their winter home in the lowland shadow of Washington's Mount Olympus, to the fertile grazing grounds of its towering peaks.

Water Birds
Water Birds

Water Birds

1952 30m Dir. Ben Sharpsteen

Water Birds is a 1952 short documentary film directed by Ben Sharpsteen. The film delves into the still waters of lagoons and marshes to the wild blue wilderness of the vast oceans, to experience the beauty and variety of their majestic birds, each perfectly designed for its habitat.

Bear Country
Bear Country

Bear Country

1953 33m Dir. James Algar

Bear Country is a 1953 American short documentary film directed by James Algar. It won an Academy Award at the 26th Academy Awards in 1954 for Best Short Subject (Two-Reel).[1] The film was produced by Walt Disney as part of the True-Life Adventures series of nature documentaries.

Prowlers of the Everglades
Prowlers of the Everglades

Prowlers of the Everglades

1953 32m Dir. James Algar

Part of the "True-Life Adventure Series"; Disney filmmakers take their cameras to Florida, not to document the swamps that would become Walt Disney World, but to capture the lives of creatures in the everglades. Focusing primarily on alligators, we also see the behavior of animals such as snakebirds, raccoons, and even otters who like to "play" ...

The Living Desert
The Living Desert

The Living Desert

1953 1h 9m Dir. James Algar

Although first glance reveals little more than stones and sand, the desert is alive. Witness moving rocks, spitting mud pots, gorgeous flowers and the never-ending battle for survival between creatures of every shape, size and description.

Secrets of Life
Secrets of Life

Secrets of Life

1956 1h 10m Dir. James Algar

A feature-length documentary showing the changing world of nature, the sky, the sea, the sun, planets, insects and volcanic action. A story of nature's strange and intricate designs for survival and her many methods of perpetuating life.

Perri
Perri

Perri

1957 1h 15m Dir. Ralph Wright , Paul Kenworthy

This True Life Fantasy follows and shows how the life of a female squirrel, Perri, in the forest is filled with danger and fraught with peril. When not fleeing her natural enemy, the Marten, Perri finds time to fall in love with her prince-charming male squirrel.

Jungle Cat
Jungle Cat

Jungle Cat

1960 1h 9m Dir. James Algar

This final True-Life Adventure would also appear to be one of the best, as we go into the South American jungle to observe the jaguar. Jungle Cat is more intimate than its kin, allowing individual animal characters to be developed.