“The Lion King” is a 1994 American animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. The film tells the story of Simba a young lion who is to inherit the throne of his father Mufasa but is manipulated by his uncle Scar into thinking he was responsible for his death. Simba flees his home but he is later persuaded to return and reclaim the throne.
The film was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff produced by Don Hahn and has a screenplay credited to Irene Mecchi Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton. Its original songs were composed by Elton John and Tim Rice with a score by Hans Zimmer. The film features an ensemble voice cast led by Matthew Broderick Jeremy Irons James Earl Jones Whoopi Goldberg Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings. The Lion King was released on June 15 1994 to critical acclaim. It grossed more than $968 million in its theatrical release becoming the most successful film released that year and the highest-grossing film produced by Disney. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Score and the Academy Award for Best Original Song (“Can You Feel the Love Tonight”) for its soundtrack composed by Hans Zimmer and Elton John. It also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and the Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Simba a lion cub heir to the throne of Pride Rock is born to Mufasa and Sarabi. Mufasa shows Simba the Pride Lands and introduces him to the rest of the animal kingdom. One night Simba has a nightmare in which he is chased by a stampede of wildebeests. Mufasa explains that the dream is a prophecy of Simba’s destiny and urges him to follow the path of the stars.
The next morning Mufasa’s evil brother Scar tells Simba that the dream was actually about his death and Simba ran away in fright. Enraged Mufasa orders Scar to never mention the dream to Simba again. Later that day Scar takes Simba and his best friend Nala out to the Elephant Graveyard where he had Simba chased by a pack of hyenas. Mufasa rescues Simba but is angered that he disobeyed him.
As a result of Mufasa’s scolding Simba runs away into the jungle. He is found by Timon and Pumbaa meerkat and warthog who teach Simba the philosophy “Hakuna Matata” (no worries). Simba grows up in the jungle believing that Mufasa died in the stampede.
One day Nala finds Simba and persuades him to return home telling him that Pride Rock is a wasteland since Scar has become king and allowed the hyenas to terrorize the Pride Landers. Simba refuses at first but he changes his mind after he has a nightmare in which Mufasa appears to him and tells him that he must take his rightful place as king.
Simba returns to Pride Rock and challenges Scar to a fight. Scar initially has the upper hand but during the fight he trips and falls off a cliff to his death. With Scar gone Simba becomes the new king and takes Nala as his queen.
The film ends with a reprise of “The Circle of Life” as Simba and Nala’s newborn cub is presented to the assembled animals.
The title of the film “The Lion King” is a play on words. “The Lion King” is a translation of the Hebrew word מלך האריות (melekh ha-ariyot) which is the title of a 1916 book by Jewish-American author Max Nordau. The book is about the life of a lion in the wild and was based on Nordau’s observation of lions in Africa.
“The Lion King” is also a literal translation of the Swahili phrase Simba Jumbe which means “King Lion”.
The title song from the film “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” was composed by Elton John and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The lyrics to the song are a translation of the Swahili phrase Naku penda pia naku taka pia which means “I love you I want you”.
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is also the name of a book by African-American author Walter Dean Myers. The book is about a young boy who is sent to live with his father in Africa. The boy learns about the African culture and the importance of family.
What does the song “The Lion King” translate to?
“The Lion King” translates to “Il Re Leone” in Italian.
What does the song “Be Prepared” translate to?
“Be Prepared” translates to “Sii Pronto” in Italian.
What does the song “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” translate to?
“I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” translates to “Non Vedo L’ora Di Diventare Re” in Italian.
What does the song ” Hakuna Matata” translate to?
“Hakuna Matata” translates to “Non C’è Problema” in Italian.
What does the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” translate to?
“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” translates to “Senti La Voce Dell’amore Stasera” in Italian.
What does the song “Circle of Life” translate to?
“Circle of Life” translates to “Il Cerchio Della Vita” in Italian.
What does the song “Shadowland” translate to?
“Shadowland” translates to “Terra Delle Ombre” in Italian.
What does the song “A Whole New World” translate to?
“A Whole New World” translates to “Un Mondo Nuovo” in Italian.
What does the song ” Endless Night” translate to?
“Endless Night” translates to “Notturna Interminabile” in Italian.
What does the song “Tonight We Strike” translate to?
“Tonight We Strike” translates to “Stasera Noi Colpiamo” in Italian.
What does the song “War” translate to?
“War” translates to “Guerra” in Italian.
What does the song “My Lullaby” translate to?
“My Lullaby” translates to “La Mia Ninna Nanna” in Italian.
What does the song “He Lives in You” translate to?
“He Lives in You” translates to “Egli Vive In Te” in Italian.
What does the song “Wilderness of Hope” translate to?
“Wilderness of Hope” translates to “Deserto Della Speranza” in Italian.
What does the song “King of Pride Rock” translate to?
“King of Pride Rock” translates to “Re Del Roccione” in Italian.
