The Lion King
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Cast: James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Madge Sinclair, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Cummings, Cheech Marin, Nikita Calame, Zoe Leader
Making its debut as one of the most illustrious jewels in the Disney Renaissance Era, “The Lion King” follows the journey of Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas/Matthew Broderick) a young lion cub, who descends from favored son of a beloved king, to being banished by his cruel uncle after his father’s tragic demise, to rising up as his father's rightful heir. While Uncle Scar rules the Pride Lands with an iron fist, Simba grows up beyond the Pride Lands, living by a new philosophy: Hakuna Matata, and being raised by his new friends, Timon, the meerkat and Pumbaa, the warthog. But when his past comes to haunt him, the young prince must decide his fate: Will he remain an outcast forever, or will he embrace his birthright, take up his father’s crown, and become the king he was born to be?
The sun plays a powerful role in symbolizing the true King of the Pridelands. This is particularly illustrated in the three kings that are represented in the story: Mufasa, Scar and Simba.
As the story begins, the first thing we see is the sunrise, when the subjects of Mufasa’s kingdom journey to Pride Rock to pay homage to their new prince. When the animals are bowing to Simba, and honoring the heir apparent to the throne, the sun breaks through the clouds and shines down on Simba, recognizing him as the new heir to the throne, as well. The sun did not do that when Scar murdered Mufasa and claimed the throne for himself. Mufasa teaches Simba that a king's time, as ruler rises and falls like the sun, and someday, the sun will set on Mufasa's time as king, and will rise again, with Simba as the new king. Mufasa also teaches Simba that everything the sunlight touches is their kingdom, but to never go beyond their borders into the shadowy region, known as the outlands. Notice though when Scar is "king" we NEVER see sunlight. Scar is always depicted in the shadows, even before he claimed his throne. When he reveals his sinister plan, this moment occurs at night. The sun did not rise on Scar's reign as the false king of the Pride Lands. Indeed, he took his place on Pride Rock as the false king at night, and throughout his short reign as king, the sky is always overcast and dark… a sure sign that Scar is not the true king. The sunlight only returns when the rightful king takes his place on the throne. When Simba is embracing his role as the new king, the clouds open to reveal Mufasa's effigy in the stars, and it is only after Simba defeats Scar that life is restored to the Pride Lands.
One of the predominant themes woven into “The Lion King” is death. There are two interpretations of death which are illustrated in the movie: physical death and metaphorical death.
The significance of physical death is illustrated in the intimate connection between Mufasa, Scar and Simba and the role they each play as king. When Mufasa is king, his African kingdom is beautiful and vibrant and teeming with life, and there is peace because Mufasa is the true king. When Mufasa is murdered by his jealous brother, after Mufasa saves his son from a wildebeest stampede, Scar crowns himself the new king of the Pride Lands, and the vibrant paradise becomes a desolate wasteland because Scar is a false king. One of the most unnerving aspects of Mufasa’s death is after Scar murders Mufasa, he finds Simba with his father’s body and there is no evidence in his character that he is emotionally affected by what has just transpired. He just states that his brother is dead, that Simba is to blame for it, and he tells Simba to run away and never return. He then tells his hyena minions to kill Simba too. Life is only restored to the Pride Lands after Simba defeats Scar and takes up his father’s crown as the rightful King.
The second form of death - the metaphorical death - is focused more on Simba, and is reflected by the painting of Simba in Rafiki’s tree. When Simba is born, Rafiki blesses the adorable, new prince with a special mark on his forehead; a mark which anoints Simba as the new heir apparent to Pride Land’s throne. When Rafiki is painting the new prince’s likeness in his tree, he anoints his forehead again, this time revealing the new prince’s name: Simba. When Mufasa dies and Simba runs away, the part of him that was Mufasa’s heir metaphorically dies, as well… and this is reflected when a grief-stricken Rafiki erases the image of the young prince from the inner wall of his tree. But notice, while the painting of Simba is smudged, it is not completely gone…symbolizing that Simba is still Mufasa’s heir…but this part of his identity is now deeply suppressed. When Rafiki learns that Simba still lives, his hope is restored and he anoints the painting of Simba again…this time, with a beautiful, red mane to symbolize Rafiki’s renewed hope that Mufasa’s heir has finally returned to take his place as the rightful King. The part of Simba who is the true king is resurrected when Nala, Rafiki and Mufasa remind Simba of both the legacy left to him by his father, and the duty he has to his mother, Queen Sarabi, and the Pride Lands. It is only after Simba acknowledges this and returns to overthrow his uncle’s tyrannical rule and accept his crown, as Mufasa’s heir, that his true identity is restored.
A third theme which is present in “The Lion King” is the connection between Simba and his father, King Mufasa. In the beginning, Mufasa proudly watches over his son, as Rafiki blesses Simba in his coronation ceremony. He defends Simba after his jealous and egocentric brother, Scar, does not attend the celebration of Mufasa’s new heir and insults the new heir apparent for usurping his place in the line of succession. Later, the father and son rise at dawn and Mufasa teaches Simba what it means to be King. When Simba gets in trouble trying to emulate the courage of his father, by visiting the forbidden Outlands, Mufasa saves his son and Nala from imminent disaster after they are attacked by the hyenas and he teaches his impetuous young son that true courage is having the wisdom to only be brave when it is required, not just running headlong into danger for no reason. When Simba is struggling with the notion of taking up his birthright and acknowledging the painful memories of his long-forgotten past, Mufasa comes to his son, as a glowing vision in the clouds, and reminds Simba of his legacy and what he has taught him. This (along with a proverbial whack on the head from the wise mandrill, Rafiki,) is what inspires Simba to return and reclaim his birthright.
“The Lion King” is acclaimed as being one of Disney’s most successful animated films. Since its inception, “The Lion King” was renowned for being the highest-grossing animated film in history – an honor that it held for 20 years until “Frozen” claimed the title in 2014. “The Lion King” received an Oscar for Best Music – Original Score by Hans Zimmer and Best Music – Original Song for Elton John and Tim Rice (Can You Feel the Love Tonight). The movie also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, Best Original Score – Motion Picture for Hans Zimmer and Best Original Song – Motion Picture for Elton John and Tim Rice (also for Can You Feel the Love Tonight).
“The Lion King” is, by far, one of Disney’s most enduring and beloved films. The animation in this film is the most stunningly beautiful that Disney has ever created, and the emotionally charged storyline, along with an extraordinary cast of memorable characters, breathtaking animation, and timeless songs, has allowed this film to become one of Disney’s most beloved and enduring masterpieces. This movie is highly recommended to anyone who loves Disney animation at its best.
© 2025 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Cast: James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Matthew Broderick, Moira Kelly, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Madge Sinclair, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Cummings, Cheech Marin, Nikita Calame, Zoe Leader
Making its debut as one of the most illustrious jewels in the Disney Renaissance Era, “The Lion King” follows the journey of Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas/Matthew Broderick) a young lion cub, who descends from favored son of a beloved king, to being banished by his cruel uncle after his father’s tragic demise, to rising up as his father's rightful heir. While Uncle Scar rules the Pride Lands with an iron fist, Simba grows up beyond the Pride Lands, living by a new philosophy: Hakuna Matata, and being raised by his new friends, Timon, the meerkat and Pumbaa, the warthog. But when his past comes to haunt him, the young prince must decide his fate: Will he remain an outcast forever, or will he embrace his birthright, take up his father’s crown, and become the king he was born to be?
The sun plays a powerful role in symbolizing the true King of the Pridelands. This is particularly illustrated in the three kings that are represented in the story: Mufasa, Scar and Simba.
As the story begins, the first thing we see is the sunrise, when the subjects of Mufasa’s kingdom journey to Pride Rock to pay homage to their new prince. When the animals are bowing to Simba, and honoring the heir apparent to the throne, the sun breaks through the clouds and shines down on Simba, recognizing him as the new heir to the throne, as well. The sun did not do that when Scar murdered Mufasa and claimed the throne for himself. Mufasa teaches Simba that a king's time, as ruler rises and falls like the sun, and someday, the sun will set on Mufasa's time as king, and will rise again, with Simba as the new king. Mufasa also teaches Simba that everything the sunlight touches is their kingdom, but to never go beyond their borders into the shadowy region, known as the outlands. Notice though when Scar is "king" we NEVER see sunlight. Scar is always depicted in the shadows, even before he claimed his throne. When he reveals his sinister plan, this moment occurs at night. The sun did not rise on Scar's reign as the false king of the Pride Lands. Indeed, he took his place on Pride Rock as the false king at night, and throughout his short reign as king, the sky is always overcast and dark… a sure sign that Scar is not the true king. The sunlight only returns when the rightful king takes his place on the throne. When Simba is embracing his role as the new king, the clouds open to reveal Mufasa's effigy in the stars, and it is only after Simba defeats Scar that life is restored to the Pride Lands.
One of the predominant themes woven into “The Lion King” is death. There are two interpretations of death which are illustrated in the movie: physical death and metaphorical death.
The significance of physical death is illustrated in the intimate connection between Mufasa, Scar and Simba and the role they each play as king. When Mufasa is king, his African kingdom is beautiful and vibrant and teeming with life, and there is peace because Mufasa is the true king. When Mufasa is murdered by his jealous brother, after Mufasa saves his son from a wildebeest stampede, Scar crowns himself the new king of the Pride Lands, and the vibrant paradise becomes a desolate wasteland because Scar is a false king. One of the most unnerving aspects of Mufasa’s death is after Scar murders Mufasa, he finds Simba with his father’s body and there is no evidence in his character that he is emotionally affected by what has just transpired. He just states that his brother is dead, that Simba is to blame for it, and he tells Simba to run away and never return. He then tells his hyena minions to kill Simba too. Life is only restored to the Pride Lands after Simba defeats Scar and takes up his father’s crown as the rightful King.
The second form of death - the metaphorical death - is focused more on Simba, and is reflected by the painting of Simba in Rafiki’s tree. When Simba is born, Rafiki blesses the adorable, new prince with a special mark on his forehead; a mark which anoints Simba as the new heir apparent to Pride Land’s throne. When Rafiki is painting the new prince’s likeness in his tree, he anoints his forehead again, this time revealing the new prince’s name: Simba. When Mufasa dies and Simba runs away, the part of him that was Mufasa’s heir metaphorically dies, as well… and this is reflected when a grief-stricken Rafiki erases the image of the young prince from the inner wall of his tree. But notice, while the painting of Simba is smudged, it is not completely gone…symbolizing that Simba is still Mufasa’s heir…but this part of his identity is now deeply suppressed. When Rafiki learns that Simba still lives, his hope is restored and he anoints the painting of Simba again…this time, with a beautiful, red mane to symbolize Rafiki’s renewed hope that Mufasa’s heir has finally returned to take his place as the rightful King. The part of Simba who is the true king is resurrected when Nala, Rafiki and Mufasa remind Simba of both the legacy left to him by his father, and the duty he has to his mother, Queen Sarabi, and the Pride Lands. It is only after Simba acknowledges this and returns to overthrow his uncle’s tyrannical rule and accept his crown, as Mufasa’s heir, that his true identity is restored.
A third theme which is present in “The Lion King” is the connection between Simba and his father, King Mufasa. In the beginning, Mufasa proudly watches over his son, as Rafiki blesses Simba in his coronation ceremony. He defends Simba after his jealous and egocentric brother, Scar, does not attend the celebration of Mufasa’s new heir and insults the new heir apparent for usurping his place in the line of succession. Later, the father and son rise at dawn and Mufasa teaches Simba what it means to be King. When Simba gets in trouble trying to emulate the courage of his father, by visiting the forbidden Outlands, Mufasa saves his son and Nala from imminent disaster after they are attacked by the hyenas and he teaches his impetuous young son that true courage is having the wisdom to only be brave when it is required, not just running headlong into danger for no reason. When Simba is struggling with the notion of taking up his birthright and acknowledging the painful memories of his long-forgotten past, Mufasa comes to his son, as a glowing vision in the clouds, and reminds Simba of his legacy and what he has taught him. This (along with a proverbial whack on the head from the wise mandrill, Rafiki,) is what inspires Simba to return and reclaim his birthright.
“The Lion King” is acclaimed as being one of Disney’s most successful animated films. Since its inception, “The Lion King” was renowned for being the highest-grossing animated film in history – an honor that it held for 20 years until “Frozen” claimed the title in 2014. “The Lion King” received an Oscar for Best Music – Original Score by Hans Zimmer and Best Music – Original Song for Elton John and Tim Rice (Can You Feel the Love Tonight). The movie also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, Best Original Score – Motion Picture for Hans Zimmer and Best Original Song – Motion Picture for Elton John and Tim Rice (also for Can You Feel the Love Tonight).
“The Lion King” is, by far, one of Disney’s most enduring and beloved films. The animation in this film is the most stunningly beautiful that Disney has ever created, and the emotionally charged storyline, along with an extraordinary cast of memorable characters, breathtaking animation, and timeless songs, has allowed this film to become one of Disney’s most beloved and enduring masterpieces. This movie is highly recommended to anyone who loves Disney animation at its best.
© 2025 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.