The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and released by Walt Disney Pictures. It is the 32nd Disney animated feature film and the fifth animated film produced during the Disney Renaissance. The Lion King 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. The film features an ensemble voice cast that includes Matthew Broderick James Earl Jones Jeremy Irons Jonathan Taylor Thomas Moira Kelly Nathan Lane Ernie Sabella Rowan Atkinson Robert Guillaume Madge Sinclair Whoopi Goldberg Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings. The Lion King is a coming-of-age story that follows the adventures of Simba a young lion who is to inherit his father’s throne as king.
The film opens with a voiceover explaining the circle of life and introduces Simba a young lion cub born to King Mufasa and his wife Sarabi. Scar Mufasa’s younger brother and Simba’s uncle covets the throne and plots to kill Mufasa and Simba so he can become king. He tricks Simba and his best friend Nala—to whom Simba is betrothed—into exploring a forbidden elephants’ graveyard where they are attacked by three hyenas Shenzi Banzai and Ed who are in league with Scar. Mufasa rescues the cubs but ends up hanged by Scar during the escape. Simba is led to believe by Scar that he was responsible for his father’s death and flees into exile.
Simba is found by Timon a meerkat and Pumbaa a warthog who raise him as their own. In the years that follow Simba grows into a full-grown lion and forgets his royal roots until he meets Nala again as an adult. She convinces him to return home and overthrow Scar. The battle for Pride Rock culminates in Simba’s triumph over Scar and ascension to the throne as the new king.
The Lion King was released to theaters on June 15 1994 to critical acclaim. The film grossed over $967 million at the worldwide box office becoming the highest-grossing film of 1994 and the second highest-grossing film in history at the time. The Lion King garnered two Academy Awards for its achievement in music earning nominations for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. The film has been selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry as being “culturally historically or aesthetically significant”. In 2016 the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally historically or aesthetically significant”.
Simba was born in the Pride Lands of Africa to Mufasa the king of the Pride and his queen Sarabi. As the future king Simba was presented to the assembled animals by Rafiki a mandrill who serves as a priest. Mufasa gave a speech explaining the concept of the “circle of life” which describes the flow of energy from one living being to another.
Simba’s uncle Scar was resentful of Mufasa’s position and wanted to kill both Mufasa and Simba so that he could become king. Scar tricked Simba and his best friend Nala—who was betrothed to Simba—into going to a dangerous place called the Elephant’s Graveyard. Scar had ordered three hyenas Shenzi Banzai and Ed to kill the cubs but Mufasa arrived and fought off the hyenas. In the ensuing struggle Mufasa was killed after being thrown off a cliff by Scar.
Simba fled in despair and ended up in a jungle where he was found by Timon a meerkat and Pumbaa a warthog. They took him in and raised him teaching him their philosophy of “Hakuna Matata” (“No Worries”).
As an adult Simba encountered Nala again and she convinced him to return to the Pride Lands and take his place as king. Simba did so and confronted Scar who was killed in the ensuing battle. Simba assumed the throne and ruled the Pride Lands for many years.
What is the name of the protagonist in The Lion King?
Simba
Who is Simba’s best friend?
Nala
Who is Simba’s arch-nemesis?
Scar
What is the name of Simba’s father?
Mufasa
How does Mufasa die?
Scar throws him off a cliff
What is Simba’s mother’s name?
Sarabi
How does Simba feel after he believes he is responsible for his father’s death?
Simba is wracked with guilt and runs away
Who finds Simba after he runs away?
Timon and Pumbaa
What does Simba learn from Timon and Pumbaa?
The motto “Hakuna Matata” or “No worries”
What does Simba learn about his father from Rafiki?
That Mufasa is still alive in spirit
What does Simba do after he learns the truth about his father?
He goes back to Pride Rock to take his rightful place as king
Who helps Simba fight Scar?
The lionesses of Pride Rock
Simba and Nala have a baby.
What is their child’s name?
Kiara
Simba’s best friend from childhood Nala becomes his wife.
True or False?
True
Simba becomes king at the end of The Lion King.
True or False?
True
