"Life is a spinning wheel, it has been said, and each spoke a tale to be told. So keep silence along the banks, and I will tell you one of these tales, a story as enchanting as the jungle itself. It is about pride and power and treasure, and about fangs and claws and talons. But mostly it is about love."

It is late 19th century, British-occupied India. Mowgli is a small boy on a trek with his father, who is leading the English Colonel Brydon (My Man Sam), his physician friend Dr. Julius Plumford (John CLeese) and Brydon's daughter Kitty, who is good friends with Mowgli.

The dreaded tiger Shere Khan pays their campsite a visit, to teach a lesson to those who "do not respect the Jungle Law." Mowgli's father is killed by the tiger, and Mowgli himself is lost in the jungle and believed dead.

Mowgli (Jason Scott Lee) is raised by Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther,and a wolf known as Grey Brother. He grows up wise in the ways of the jungle, yet innocent of man.

Kitty has also grown, and her and her father continue to live in India. When she stumbles on a "wild man" in the jungle, she soon realizes it is her old childhood friend, and with the help of Dr. Plumford, teaches Mowgli the niceties of civilization.

But Kitty is burdened with a money and power hungry fiancee, Captain William Boone (Cary Elwes). He kidnaps Kitty when she spurns him, injures Colonel Brydon, and convinces Mowgli to lead him to the treasure filled Monkey City. Mowgli agrees only to save his friends.

Mowgli escapes to save Colonel Brydon's life, then heads back to bring Kitty back home out of danger. The angry Captain Boone, Kaa the Snake, Shere Khan the Tiger, and the jungle itself stand between them.

"Tut tut tut tut! Whoa! Bloody elephants, the bane of my existence. This would be a damn fine country if it wasn't for all the bloody elephants. (121k) Click to hear.

"So listen well, and hear the call, and long life to those that keep the jungle law."

BACK TO MY MAN SAM. Some pictures and sounds provided by the The Official Sam Neill Homepage Thanks!