Monkey Kingdom

Disneynature was launched in 2008

with a commitment to bringing epic stories from nature to life

as never before.

But more than that,

we wanted to give something back to our stars,

the wild creatures of Planet Earth.

And to do this, we enlisted you,

our audience, to be our partners.

It began with Earth.

For every ticket you purchased opening week,

Disneynature, through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund,

planted a tree in Brazil's most endangered forest.

Over three million trees were planted,

but that was just the beginning.

For Disneynature's Oceans,

Disneynature fans helped make it possible to establish

and protect over 40,000 acres of coral reef in the Bahamas.

For African Cats, Disneynature fans helped protect

65,000 acres of migratory corridors in Kenya.

For Chimpanzee, our audience helped to safeguard

130,000 acres of chimpanzee habitat in the Congo,

and care for orphan chimpanzees.

For Disneynature's Bears,

ticket sales provided research and restoration grants

to US National Parks,

supporting conservation projects

and protecting endangered species.

By purchasing your ticket opening week for Monkey Kingdom,

or this Blu-ray combo pack or Digital HD,

you're helping us once again give back to nature.

Working in partnership with Conservation International,

Disneynature will make a donation in your honor

to help protect habitat across Indonesia, Cambodia and Sri Lanka,

benefitting hundreds of species,

and helping to protect fresh drinking water for local populations.

So from Oscar, Sita, Scout,

and the countless wild creatures we share this planet with,

thank you.

Your partnership with Disneynature is making a difference.

And now, we proudly present our newest film.

The wilds of Sri Lanka,

land of myth and legend.

Where rocky pinnacles overlook vast tropical forests.

And an abandoned city lies shrouded in jungle.

The kings who once reigned here are long gone.

These days, there's a new dynasty in residence.

But this one is governed by the law of the jungle.

I know what you're thinking.

"Being a macaque monkey is just fun and games."

But, actually, it's an intricate society

of 50 members

bound together by a strict social order.

In this troop, every waking moment

is a reminder of your place.

From a seemingly innocent greeting.

Oh! He'll learn.

To your choice of sleeping branch.

Upper class, basking in the morning sun.

Lower class, shivering in the cold.

Your social rank even determines

what you can eat.

Nowhere is that clearer than here.

The kingdom's most prized fig tree.

Only those at the top of the social ladder

can eat at the top of the tree

where the ripest fruit is found.

And at the very top, the alpha male himself,

Raja.

He is the king of Monkey Kingdom.

See that move? That's macaque for "Back off."

Raja arrived from the outside and fought his way to the top.

So, you know,

he's earned the pampering.

But, if he wants to stay on top,

he's gotta keep the real power brokers happy.

The three females on the other high branches.

The queens behind the king.

The Sisterhood.

Whether you remember them by their red faces

or their ruthless natures,

you will remember them.

These ladies get what they want.

Their children get what they want.

Everything that is good in the forest

is reserved for them.

Like royalty,

they were born into privilege,

and that's the way it's gonna stay.

Do not get on their bad side.

Descending the tree, we descend the social ladder.

With each branch,

the fruit is less ripe, and the monkey lower in rank.

Until,

at the bottom, the heroine of this story,

Maya.

Maya's got big, friendly eyes,

three distinctive spots on her nose,

and, I think you'll agree, a pretty rad hairdo.

She was born eight years ago, at the bottom of the troop,

just like her mother.

And her mother before that.

When you're at the bottom, you're either in the way,

or you don't even exist.

But every day,

you're paying your dues to monkeys like Raja

without any chance of promotion.

And so, back under the fig tree,

Maya takes whatever scraps fall her way.

A low-born like herself simply can't improve her position

or dream of eating from a higher branch.

Yet this is the story

of how Maya fights to beat the odds

and make a better life.

For Maya and the troop, home is Castle Rock,

a magnificent granite outcrop

at the center of the kingdom.

It's the most sought-after residence for miles around.

It's a pretty sweet neighborhood.

Sweeping views of their territory

are perfect for spotting rivals.

It's got plenty of rec rooms,

nature's finest roof, and, of course,

the original jungle gym.

The monkeys think they own this rock

but there are some tenants.

There's a mongoose in the building.

Day after day they ask him to play.

And his answer is always,

"No, thank you."

But rejection only increases their determination.

They will play with this mongoose

if it is the last thing they do.

Nothing will stop them.

Even his absence.

Continuing their search...

"Sloth bear!

"It's cool. I knew he was in there.

"Just a bear."

Mama sloth bear is keeping her cubs cool,

rehydrating them with

her saliva.

She's also keeping her cubs safe from

this guy, the unwelcome suitor outside.

Mama keeps her cubs well hidden

until he leaves, or...

That'll do.

He's not dead. He's just asleep.

Every morning,

the troop leaves Castle Rock

to scour the forest for breakfast.

Maya can't afford to be a picky eater.

Don't worry. Bambi's not on the menu.

And this squirrel won't seem to give up his food. Oh.

But, uh, maybe this is promising.

Ugh.

At nearly 40 years old,

Grandpa only moves

when the group tells him it's worthwhile.

That's monkey-speak for "Jackpot!"

But guess who got there first.

Mushrooms are like potato chips for the sisters.

Once they start, they just can't stop.

Maya waits. This is what it means to be last in line.

By the time your turn comes, there's nothing left.

Midday, a scorcher.

Too much lunch.

It's already Grandpa's fourth nap of the day.

Raja and the sisters enjoy the sweet dreams

of the high-born.

Maya, on the other hand...

The sisters' kids don't feel like napping.

Maya makes the best play structure.

She'd love to object,

but one swat at the sisters' kids

and there would be big trouble.

Maya just has to take it.

Even if they use her tail as a rope swing.

That's gotta hurt.

"Guys, don't mess with the hair."

At just one month old,

these kids already know Maya's place.

And it's not up there.

So they can poke Maya in the eye repeatedly.

And forage for food inside her mouth!

That's rude.

Maya will never know the sweet life,

but she does get a break occasionally.

To de-stress, macaques visit

their less sophisticated cousins,

the langurs, treating them like pets.

Seems to lower the blood pressure and calm the nerves.

The langurs don't mind.

In fact, they may not even notice.

Not the sharpest tools in the shed,

these guys.

And if you want a super fun, stimulating playmate,

you might have to keep looking.

Now, on the other hand,

a group of intelligent monkeys

is very hard to sneak up on.