Even though he never makes an appearance, Bambi’s offscreen bad guy, man, is No. 20 on the AFI’s list of heroes and villains. Though Bambi survives his own encounter with man, viewers will always remember the first time the hunter comes on the scene. There is a mad rush across the forest and Bambi’s mother tells her child to run. A shot rings out, and suddenly Bambi is all alone. His father arrives and informs him, “Your mother can’t be with you anymore.” It was enough to make some kids forswear hunting from that moment on. This scene still has the primal power to make grownups weep.
Bambi Turns 70: And 9 Other Kids’ Movie Weepers
In honor of Disney's classic's anniversary, TIME takes a look back at the top 10 saddest kids' movies ever made.