So, what does the animation depict (besides credits)?
Well, it starts with Bambi (a deer) foraging peacefully as the opening credits roll and classical music (specifically, "Ranz Des Vaches", from Gioachino Rossini's William Tell) plays in the background.
And then Godzilla steps on him.
And the music turns into the Last Note Nightmare from The Beatles' "A Day in the Life" just as abruptly.
That's it, really.
Notable for being the most inventive Credits Gag ever depicted (as mentioned above, every position is credited to Marv Newland), and for its brevity (total running time is 1:30, making it among the shortest works to have their own TV Tropes pages note ), Newland had intended to make a live-action film, but he lost the chance for an essential shot, and retreated to his room (interestingly enough, the room was rented from the same woman that provided Snow White's voice in Disney's iconic film) to create Bambi Meets Godzilla.
Several sequels (not by Newland) were produced, but failed to live up to the quality of the original.
You can watch the original here.
Not to be confused with David Mamet's book Bambi Vs. Godzilla.
Also see Mickey Mouse in Vietnam.
"Tropes by Marv Newland":
- all lowercase letters: The credits are entirely in lowercase letters.
- Black Comedy: Godzilla stomping on Bambi is Played for Laughs.
- Bloodless Carnage: There's no blood at all when Bambi gets stepped on and killed by Godzilla.
- Credits Gag: Nearly all the credits are to "Marv Newland". Mr. and Mrs. Newland receive credit for producing Marv Newland. Additionally, the credits nearly run the entire running time, building up to a 2-second conclusion.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Needless to say, Bambi did not put up much of a fight.
- Crossover: Well, it's in the title.
- David vs. Goliath: Godzilla is far bigger than Bambi.
- Death by Looking Up: Could be coincidental, but Bambi looks up just before Godzilla stomps on him.
- Deliberately Monochrome: It's entirely in black-and-white.
- Downer Ending: Unless you were on Godzilla's side.
- Exactly What It Says on the Tin: Depends on how you define "meeting".
- Failed a Spot Check: Bambi was apparently too busy eating to hear a fifty-foot radioactive lizard marching toward him.
- Feet-First Introduction: Guess who. And does the Big G ever make the most of it!
- Foreshadowing: Seeing this clip open up for The Return of Godzilla aka Godzilla 1985 on the VHS tape sets up that the big guy is no longer an ally to humanity.
- Foregone Victory: Hmm... Can the 4-foot young deer beat the 20-story tall radioactive lizard?
- Giant Foot of Stomping: Bambi goes squish underneath Godzilla's scaly foot. But what did you expect from the Big G?
- Intercontinuity Crossover: Bambi and Godzilla have no official ties.
- Juxtaposition Gag: Bambi and Godzilla, together at last!
- Kill the Cutie: The reason why Bambi was chosen for the fight. He's just that cute.
- Minimalism: Duh.
- Minimalist Cast: Bambi and Godzilla, that's it.
- Public Domain Animation: This helped gained the short the popularity it has now.
- R-Rated Opening: If you saw this at the start of the old Godzilla 1985 tape, it certainly helped set the tone for the Darker and Edgier G-film that no longer had monster wrestling and brought Godzilla back to being a straight-up antagonist.
- Shout-Out: To Bambi and Godzilla, naturally.
- Special Thanks: To the city of Tokyo for Godzilla's appearance, as well as Newland's roundabout thanks to his parents.
- Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny: Who do you think wins?
