The Lion King, a 1994 animated classic from Disney, tells the story of Simba, a young lion who must overcome tragedy and exile to reclaim his rightful place as king of the Pride Lands. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, this film combines breathtaking animation, unforgettable music, and a powerful narrative that resonates across generations.
What to Watch Out For:
Hero’s Journey
Three-Act Structure
Mise en Scène
Discussion Questions:
Hero’s Journey/Story Circle:
1. How does Simba’s journey exemplify the stages of the Hero’s Journey/Story Circle?
Three-Act Structure:
2.Discuss how the film’s three-act structure drives the narrative forward. What are the key turning points?
Mise en Scène:
3.How do elements like color, lighting, and setting contribute to the film’s themes and emotional tone? Pick a still or a 5-10 second sequnce to describe it.
Preference:
4.Did you like the film? Why/Why not?
1. Simba's journey exemplifies the idea of the hero's journey as he restores the balance in Pride Lands after the royal death of his father. In the ordinary world, Simba is born as a prince to King Mufasa in the Pride Lands. His call to adventure starts when Mufasa explains the circle of life to him, becoming dramatic as his uncle, Scar, tricks him into going to the elephant graveyard, where he almost dies due to the hyenas. When Mufasa saves him, he refuses the call, as he doesn't want to take on royal responsibilities. When Mufasa dies, Scar convinces him to run away, which is where he meets his mentors, Timon and Pumbaa, who teach him 'the way of life'. In terms of crossing the threshold, when Simba runs away, he leaves his home world, entering the desert then meets his mentors, who lead him to their home in the forest. Simba spends his adult years in the jungle with Timon and Pumbaa and his friends. This is tested when he is confronted by Nala, his old friend. After Nala finds Simba, she reveals the horrible state of the Pride Lands, leaving Simba to confront his past. With the help of Rafiki, the king's advisor, he looks in a pool and sees the reflection of his father, as his spirit appears in the clouds and reminds him of his true identity. This reward prompts him to confront Scar and return to the Pride Lands. On the road back, Simba, Tala, and his mentors return back to Pride Rock, representing a symbolic reclamation of Simba’s identity. In the resurrection, Simba (with the help of other lions) defeats Scar and reclaims his rightful title as king. After Scar’s defeat, Simba restores life and balance to the land, completing the circle.
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3. An example of mise en scene is during Simba’s confrontation with Scar as he returns to Pride Rock. This scene occurs from 1:15:50 to 1:15:55, where the setting is dark and desolate, with gloomy clouds and a scorched earth surrounding Simba and Scar. These elements reflect Scar’s tyranny over the kingdom in The Pride Lands. As Simba is knocked down, lightning flashes behind him and rain begins to fall, symbolizing the reenactment of what happened with his father. The use of these colors symbolizes a dreadful atmosphere as it reflects the horrors found within Scar’s character. This brief sequence visually captures the film’s themes of fear and tragedy using the intense environmental depictions to heighten the emotional appeal of the audience without using direct dialogue.
4. In the end, I truly love this movie as I grew up watching it. By picking apart the film, I was able to rediscover certain parts of my childhood and decipher new meaning behind this film. I found the film to be quite enjoyable as it was very well written, being far ahead of its time in terms of animation. I am thoroughly glad I had the opportunity to rewatch this.