The beloved animated film “Bambi” is now available in a new Anniversary Edition that includes a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and for the first time a Digital Copy.

This edition is part of the special Signature Collection from Disney Home Entertainment. There are plenty of bonus features as well as a collectible watercolor lithograph of Bambi and Thumper by artist Tyrus Wong.

The story of Bambi delighted readers when it appeared in books. Then Walt Disney decided to make it into an animated feature film. He knew he had to change some things from the book version to make it more appealing to theater audiences, however, he did not change the part in which Bambi’s mother dies. This was upsetting to his daughter Diane, who wanted to know why he kept that in the story. She, and most viewers, would have preferred for this scene to be omitted. It has always been the subject of discussion over the years, and a sense of sadness for everyone who loves little Bambi.

Bambi, Thumper and Flower are still beloved characters and continue to delight viewers even though they experience a traumatic event when Bambi’s mother dies. This movie has had an impact on viewers who still look at a deer and call it “Bambi.”

The story follows the “Prince of the Forest” from his birth through his first years when he grows, falls in love and learns to live in the forest. After his mother dies, Bambi lives with his father and is taught how to survive. He desires to be as great a leader as his dad, and when a fire threatens the forest, he has a chance to prove himself.

Bonus features on this Signature Collection Edition include the classic bonuses of past editions as well as several new ones. Viewers learn about the background of the film and how it made its mark on the Disney Studio. Walt Disney was adamant that the animated characters look more realistic than those in “Snow White.” He brought in deer and other animals to create a zoo at the studio where animators could study how they move. He also took animators out into the wild to see their actions when in their own element.

The Disney Studio invented the Multi-Plane Camera, which created the illusion of depth in animation. It was a major leap forward in the world of animation. Many of the techniques used in creating “Bambi” are still in use today in Disney’s animated films.

There are two deleted scenes, both introduced by animator Floyd Norman. They are adorable and for fans of the film are definitely worth watching, even though they have not been animated and are in story form. It would have been nice to see them in the movie, as both are fun and entertaining, featuring the delightful characters we have come to love.

Viewers can also learn interesting facts about deer in the “Fawn Facts” bonus feature.

“Bambi” has always been a loved story with delightful characters and inspired “Bambi II” in 2006. “Bambi” was nominated for three Academy Awards and won a Golden Globe.

“Bambi” is No. 3 on the American Film Institutes “10 Top 10” of the 10 greatest animated films. Now it joins “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Pinocchio” as part of the Signature Collection.

Besides bonus features about Bambi and his friends, there is a short film featuring Oswald the rabbit.

“Bambi” is a sensitive, sweet, entertaining and heartening story that is as beloved today as it was when it first premiered 75 years ago.