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The Lion King

1994 American animated film

The Lion King is a 1994 Disney animated film in which an East African lion cub and heir to the throne of Pride Rock learns his place in Africa's Kenya's Serengeti. Tricked into thinking he killed his father, he flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King, only to return years later to face his past.

Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. Screenplay by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, and Linda Woolverton. Songs by Tim Rice and Elton John.
Music by Hans Zimmer and includes "Can You Feel the Love Tonight". Written by Tim Rice and performed by Elton John.
The greatest adventure of all is finding our place in the circle of life. (taglines)

Pumbaa

  • They call me MISTER PIG! [loses a war cry]
  • Hey, Timon! You better come look. I think he is still alive.

Simba

  • Little roar.. [scoffs]
  • Run. Run away, Scar and never return.

Scar

  • [to a mouse he is about to eat] Life's not fair, is it? You see, I... well, I shall never be king. And you... shall never see the light of another day. Adieu.
  • [digs his claws into Mufasa's paws] Long live the king. [throws Mufasa off the cliff]
  • Run away, Simba. Run. Run away, and never return.
  • Mufasa's death was a terrible tragedy. But to lose Simba, who had barely begun to live... For me, it is a deep personal loss. So it is with a heavy heart that I assume the throne. Yet, out of the ashes of this tragedy, we shall rise to greet the dawning of a new era, in which lion and hyena come together in a great and glorious future!
  • Temper, temper. I wouldn't dream of challenging you.

Dialogue

 
When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so, we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.
[After "The Circle of Life" has ended, a mouse appears onscreen, looking for food. The mouse sniffs and looks up and tries to run away, but a lion paw hits him and picks him up by the tail: the paw is revealed to be Scar's.]
Scar: [first words] Life's not fair, is it? You see, I-- Well, I shall never be king. Heh. And you... shall never see the light of another day. [chortles] Adieu. [about to eat the mouse]
Zazu: [out of nowhere] Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?
Scar: [annoyed] What do you want?
Zazu: I'm here to announce that King Mufasa's on his way, so you'd better have a good excuse for missing the ceremony this morning.
Scar: [sees the mouse escaped back to the hole] Oh, now, look, Zazu. You've made me lose my lunch.
Zazu: Hah! You'll lose more than that when the king gets through with you. He's as mad as a hippo with a hernia.
Scar: [sarcastically] Ooh, I quiver with fear!
Zazu: [backs away from Scar] Now, Scar, don't look at me that way! [alarmed] HELP!!!! [Scar traps him in his mouth]
Mufasa: [first words; enters] Scar. [Scar looks back at him with his mouth full] Drop him.
Zazu: [pops his beak out of Scar's mouth] Impeccable timing, Your Majesty.
[Scar spits out Zazu, which he is now covered in lion slobber, and Zazu groans in disgust.]
Scar: [sarcastically overjoyed] Why, if it isn't my big brother descending from on high to mingle with the commoners.
Mufasa: Sarabi and I didn't see you at the presentation of Simba.
Scar: [faking astonishment] That was today? [he turns] Oh, I feel simply awful. [starts scraping his claws on the rock wall and Zazu cringes at the awful sound; admiring his claws] Must have slipped my mind.
Zazu: Yes, well, as slippery as your mind is, as the king's brother, you should have been first in line!
[Scar clicks his teeth at Zazu, who takes cover behind Mufasa's foreleg.]
Scar: Well, I was first in line... until the little hairball was born.
Mufasa: [lowering his head; to Scar] That "hairball" is my son, and your future king.
Scar: [sarcastically] Oh, I shall practice my curtsy. [turns away and starts to exit]
Mufasa: [angrily] Don't turn your back on me, Scar.
Scar: [looking back] Oh, no, Mufasa. Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me.
Mufasa: [roars ferociously and jumps in front of Scar, angrily baring his teeth] IS THAT A CHALLENGE?! [growls]
Scar: Temper, temper. [Mufasa stops growling] I wouldn't dream of challenging you.
Zazu: Pity. Why not?
Scar: [looks at Zazu] Well, as far as brains go, I got the lion's share, [looking at Mufasa] but when it comes to brute strength...I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool. [exits]
Zazu: [deep sigh] There's one in every family, sire. Two in mine, actually. [perches on Mufasa's shoulder] And they always manage to ruin special occasions.
Mufasa: What am I going to do with him?
Zazu: He'd make a very handsome throw rug.
Mufasa: [scorns playfully] Zazu.
Zazu: And just think: Whenever he gets dirty, you can take him out and beat him. [Mufasa chuckles in amusement]
Mufasa: Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.
Simba: But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope?
Mufasa: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so, we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.
Zazu: [flies to rock] Good morning, sire!
Mufasa: Good morning, Zazu.
Zazu: Checking in [land on rock] with the morning report.
Mufasa: Fire away.
Zazu: Well, the buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a spot.
[Zazu's speech continues. Simba's and Mufasa's conversation starts]
Mufasa: Oh, really?
[Simba, uninterested in Zazu, pounces at a grasshopper and misses]
Zazu: [continuing, not noticing Mufasa's lack of enthusiasm] And the baboons are going ape over this. Of course, the giraffes are acting like they're above it all.
Mufasa: [to Simba] What are you doing, son?
Simba: [looking in his empty paws] Pouncing.
Mufasa: Let an old pro show you how it's done.
Zazu: The tick birds are pecking on the elephants. I told the elephants to forget it, but they can't.
Mufasa: Zazu, would you turn around?
Zazu: Yes, sire. [continuing immediately] The cheetahs are hard up, but I always say...
Mufasa: [whispering, to Simba] Stay low to the ground.
Zazu: ...cheetahs never prosper.
Simba: [whispering] Yeah, okay, stay low to the ground. Right. Yeah.
Zazu: [realizing something is amiss] What’s going on?
Mufasa: A pouncing lesson.
Zazu: Oh, very good. Pouncing. [realizing what Mufasa’s doing] Pouncing?! Oh, no, sire, you can't be serious. [Mufasa motions for Zazu to turn back around] Oh... this is so humiliating.
Mufasa: [still whispering] Try not to make a sound.
Zazu: What are you telling him, Mufasa? [looks around uneasily; Simba and Mufasa seem to have disappeared] Mufasa? Simba?
[Simba does a full pounce leaving Zazu stunned on the ground]
Mufasa: [laughs] That's very good. [laughs again]
Gopher: [emerges under Zazu] Zazu?
Zazu: [annoyed] Yes!
Gopher: [salutes] Sir, news from the underground.
Mufasa: [to Simba] Now, this time--
Zazu: [interrupting, with urgency] Sire! Hyenas! In the Pride Lands!
Mufasa: [in a serious manner] Zazu, take Simba home.
Simba: Oh, Dad, can't I come?
Mufasa: [curtly] No, son. [heads off at a full gallop]
Simba: [scoffs, annoyed] I never get to go anywhere.
Zazu: Oh, young master, one day you will be king; then you can chase those slobbering mangy stupid poachers from dawn until dusk.
Simba: Hey, Uncle Scar, guess what?
Scar: I despise guessing games.
Simba: I'm gonna be King of Pride Rock.
Scar: [sarcastically] Oh, goody.
Simba: My dad just showed me the whole kingdom. And I'm gonna rule it all. Heheh.
Scar: Yes. Well, forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know. [flops on his side]
Simba: Hey, Uncle Scar, when I'm king, what'll that make you?
Scar: A monkey's uncle.
Simba: [laughs] You're so weird!
Scar: You have no idea. So, your father showed you the whole kingdom, did he?
Simba: Everything.
Scar: He didn't show you what's beyond that rise at the northern border?
Simba: Well, no. He said I can't go there.
Scar: And he's absolutely right. It's far too dangerous. Only the bravest lions go there.
Simba: Well, I'm brave. What's out there?
Scar: [Interrupting] I'm sorry, Simba, I just can't tell you.
Simba: Why not?
Scar: [feigning concern] Simba, Simba, I'm only looking out for the well-being of my favorite nephew. [Scar rubs and pats Simba's head]
Simba: [snorts; sarcastically] Yeah, right. I'm your only nephew.
Scar: All the more reason for me to be protective. An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince. [faking surprise] Oops!
Simba: [enthusiastically] An elephant what? Whoa.
Scar: [faking dismay] Oh, dear, I've said too much. Well, I suppose you'd have found out sooner or later, you being so clever and all. [pulling Simba near] Oh, just do me one favor; Promise me you'll never visit that dreadful place.
Simba: [thinks, knowing that he’ll most likely go there anyway] No problem.
Scar: There's a good lad. You run along now and have fun. And remember; It's our little secret.
[Simba leaves the rock; Scar walks away with an evil smile]
[After "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" ends; the rhino ends up sitting on Zazu]
Zazu: [muffled] I beg your pardon, madam, but... GET OFF!! Simba? Nala?!
Nala: I wonder if its brains are still in there.
Simba: There's only one way to know. C'mon. Let's go check it out.
[Zazu darts in front of him and blocks his path]
Zazu: AWK! The only "checking out" you will do will be to check out of here.
Simba: Oh, man!
Zazu: We're way beyond the boundary of the Pride Lands.
Simba: Look, Banana Beak is scared.
Zazu: It's Mr. Banana Beak to you, fuzzy, and right now, we are all in very real danger.
Simba: Danger? Hah. I walk on the wild side. I laugh in the face of danger. [he lets out a hearty laugh, but soon it is followed by some boisterous laughter coming from inside the skull. He runs next to Nala just as three hyenas, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, three of the worst hyenas in the Pride Lands, come out and slowly advance on the cubs]
Shenzi: Well, well, well, Banzai, what have we got here?
Banzai: I don't know, Shenzi. Uh, what do you think, Ed? [Ed laughs wildly] Yeah, just what I was thinking: A trio of trespassers!
Zazu: And quite by accident, let me assure you. A simple navigational error.
Shenzi: Whoa. [catches Zazu by his tail feathers] Whoa, whoa, wait, wait, wait. I know you. You're Mufasa's little stooge.
Zazu: I, madam, am the king's majordomo.
[The hyenas circle the cubs, eyeing them as a potential meal]
Banzai: And that would make you...?
Simba: The future king.
Shenzi: Do you know what we do to kings who step out of their kingdom?
Simba: [scoffs] You can't do anything to me.
Zazu: [nervously] Uh, technically, they can. We are on their land.
Simba: But Zazu, you told me they’re nothin' but slobbering, mangy, stupid poachers.
Zazu: [under his breath; to Simba] Ix-nay on the upid-stay.
Banzai: [hearing Zazu; angrily] Who you callin' "upid-stay"?!
Zazu: My, my, my. Oh, look at the sun! It's time to go!
[The cubs try to run, but Shenzi blocks their path]
Shenzi: What's the hurry? We'd love you to stick around for dinner.
Banzai: Yeah, we could have whatever's..."lion" around! [laughs; while Shenzi speaks] Get it?! "Lion" around?!
Shenzi: Wait, wait, wait, I got one, I got one! Make mine a "cub" sandwich! What'd ya think? [Ed suddenly starts making strange noises and pointing offscreen] What, Ed? What is it?
Banzai: [looks to his right and sees what Ed's trying to say] Hey. Did we order this dinner to go?
Shenzi: No. Why?
Banzai: 'Cause THERE IT GOES!
[the cubs run for dear life. Suddenly, Zazu gives a surprised yelp as a paw yanks him offscreen; the two cubs stop to catch their breath]
Nala: Did we lose 'em?
Simba: I think so. Where's Zazu?
[Cut to a pit near a steam vent. Zazu's shadow is shown shrieking while Banzai pushes him towards it]
Banzai: The little majordomo bird hippity-hopped all the way to the birdie-boiler.
Zazu: Oh, no, not the birdie-boiler-- AAAAAH!!!!
[Zazu shoots up like a rocket as he screams: the Hyena Trio guffaws at this]
Simba: Hey! [the Hyena Trio stops laughing] Why don't you pick on somebody your own size?
Shenzi: Like you?
Simba: Oops.
[Nala shrieks as Shenzi jumps up and tries to snap at her, but she and Simba run away. The two cubs don't get too far before their path is blocked by some red smoke. The hyenas emerge from it]
Shenzi, Banzai and Ed: [unexpectedly] Boo!
[The cubs run like the dickens toward another elephant skull and barely evade Banzai's jaws. They slide down the skeleton's spine and fly away into another pile of bones. With the hyenas in pursuit, they climb up a ledge. Suddenly, Simba hears a shout behind him]
Nala: Simba!
[Simba turns and sees Nala sliding down the ledge with her enemies closing in. Simba runs to save her. Simba scratches Shenzi's face just as she is about to snap at Nala. She growls angrily at the mark he left while they run away. The cubs continue running and reach a deep circular ravine. Desperate to escape, they run up an elephant skeleton and try to climb up, but fall through some skin on the rib cage and gasp as their enemies close in]
Banzai: Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.
[Simba puffs up, but all that comes out is a weak, child-like roar]
Shenzi: Ha! That was it?! [The hyenas laugh at Simba's feeble roar] Do it again. Come on.
[Simba tries again, and strangely enough, an adult-like roar seemingly comes out. Nala is confused, as well as the hyenas.]
Hyenas: [confused] Huh?
[Suddenly, a large paw swipes at them. It belongs to Mufasa, who swipes at the hyenas as they try to escape. Meanwhile, Simba and Nala run for shelter. Then Mufasa pins the hyenas, who beg for mercy]
Hyenas: Oh, please, wait! Ow! Uncle, uncle!
Mufasa: SILENCE!!!!!
Banzai: Hey, come on, we're going to shut up right now!
Shenzi: Calm down. We're really sorry.
Mufasa: [angrily] If you ever come near my son again--
Shenzi: Oh, this is-- This is your son?
Banzai: Oh, yours?
Shenzi: Did you know that?
Banzai: No. Me? I-- I didn't know. No. Did you?
Shenzi: No. Of course not.
Banzai: No.
Banzai and Shenzi: Ed?
[Ed idiotically nods his head "yes" with an idiotic smile, while Mufasa lets out an angry warning roar]
Banzai: [chuckles nervously] Toodles.
[The Hyena Trio runs off in fear while yelping as Zazu lands behind Mufasa and gives a smiling "That'll show 'em!" gesture, but soon retracts it after Mufasa frowns at him; Simba and Nala come out of their hiding place, as Simba tries to explain himself]
Simba: Dad, I--
Mufasa: [sternly] You deliberately disobeyed me.
Simba: Dad, I'm, I'm sorry.
Mufasa: Let's go home.
[Zazu turns back in worry, feeling bad about having snitched on Simba, who walks behind his father, his head bowed in disgrace]
Nala: I thought you were very brave.
[As Mufasa leads them out of the elephant graveyard, Scar watches from atop a cliff wall, angry at his nephew's resilience and his brother's meddling]
[after Mufasa rescued Simba and Nala, they're all heading back to Pride Rock at sunset.]
Mufasa: Zazu!
Zazu: [flies to land in front of Mufasa] Yes, sire?
Mufasa: Take Nala home. [turns sternly to Simba] I've got to teach my son a lesson.
[Simba downs his head to the grass in shame, Zazu flies to him and Nala]
Zazu: Come, Nala. [to Simba] Simba. [sighs] Good luck.
[Zazu and Nala leave. The camera view is of Simba in the foreground with Mufasa facing away from the camera in the background]
Mufasa: Simba! [reverberates in the night air] [Simba slowly turns and walks towards his father. The camera follows him forward. Simba steps into a depression. Looking down he sees that his forepaw fits inside just the pawprint of his father's paw, then he looks up and, quite courageously, continues to come forward. Mufasa thinks silently for a few moments, not looking at his son. Then, finally, he turns to him] Simba, I'm very disappointed in you.
Simba: I know.
Mufasa: You could've been killed. You deliberately disobeyed me, and what's worse, you put Nala in danger!
Simba: [bordering on crying, voice cracks] I was just trying to be brave like you.
Mufasa: I'm only brave when I have to be. Simba, being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble.
Simba: But you're not scared of anything.
Mufasa: I was today.
Simba: [in disbelief] You were?
Mufasa: [bends down close to Simba] Yes. I thought I might lose you.
Simba: I guess even kings get scared, huh?
Mufasa: Mm-hmm.
Simba: [Whispering conspiratorially] And you know what?
Mufasa: [whispering] What?
Simba: I think those hyenas were even scared-er.
Mufasa: [chuckles] 'Cause nobody messes with your dad. Come here, you. [bends down. He picks Simba up and starts giving him a noogie]
Simba: No, no! Ah! Ugh! [Music rises as Simba and Mufasa tussle playfully for a brief while] Aah! Come here! [Mufasa laughs as runs away from Simba] Ha-ha-ha! Gotcha!
[They end up with Mufasa laid down and Simba on his head]
Simba: Dad?
Mufasa: Hmm?
Simba: We're pals, right?
Mufasa: [gentle laugh] Right.
Simba: And we'll always be together, right?
Mufasa: [sitting up, Simba now on his shoulder] Simba, let me tell you something that my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.
Simba: [in awe] Really?
Mufasa: Yes. So, whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I.
[While Shenzi, Banzai and Ed are waiting.]
Shenzi: [Banzai's stomach growls] Shut up.
Banzai: I can't help it. I'm so hungry. [jumps up] I got to have a wildebeest!
Shenzi: Stay put.
Banzai: Can’t I just pick off one of the little sick ones?
Shenzi: No! We wait for the signal from Scar. [Scar enters from the hilltop] There he is. Let's go.
[Scar emerges from the dust.]
Scar: Simba. [Simba looks at Scar in shock] What have you done?
Simba: [sadly] There were wildebeests, and he tried to save me. It was an accident. I didn't mean for it to happen.
Scar: [pulls Simba away to hug him; feigning concern] Of course. Of course you didn't. No one ever means for these things to happen, but the king is dead. And if it weren't for you, he'd still be alive. [gasps] What would your mother think?
Simba: What am I gonna do?
Scar: Run away, Simba. [Simba looks at dead Mufasa, then back at Scar in fear] Run. Run away, and never return. [Simba starts running away from his dead father in fear. Shenzi, Banzai and Ed enter.] Kill him.
[After Banzai lands in a briar patch, causing pain.]
Shenzi: [sees Simba getting away] Hey, hey! There he goes! There he goes!
Banzai: So, go get him.
Shenzi: There ain't no way I'm goin’ in there. What, you want me to come out lookin’ like you, cactus butt?
Banzai: [spits a quill at Ed's nose] But we got to finish the job.
Shenzi: Well, he's as good as dead out there anyway. And if he comes back, we'll kill him.
Banzai: [yells to Simba] YEAH!! YA HEAR THAT?! IF YOU EVER COME BACK, WE'LL KILL YA!!
["KILL YA!!"' echoes many times, as the Hyena Trio laughs and return to the Pride Lands.]
[Simba is laid in the middle of the desert; the vultures are flying around him in circles and all land. Then Timon and Pumbaa enter with a charge.]
Timon and Pumbaa: HYAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Timon: [shooing the vultures] Get out! Get out! Get out of here!
Pumbaa: I love it!
Timon: Whoo!
Pumbaa: Bowling for buzzards!
Timon: Hee-hee-hee! Gets 'em every time.
Pumbaa: [spots Simba] Uh-oh. Hey, Timon, you better come look. I think he's still alive.
Timon: Yeesh. All righty, what have we got here? [sniffs around Simba, and lifts his paw] Jeez, it's a lion! Run, Pumbaa, move it!
Pumbaa: Hey, Timon, it's just a little lion. Look at him. He's so cute and all alone. Can we keep him?
Timon: Pumbaa, are you nuts? You're talkin’ about a lion. Lions eat guys like us.
Pumbaa: But he's so little.
Timon: He's gonna get bigger.
Pumbaa: Maybe he'll be on our side.
Timon: That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. Maybe he'll be-- [gets an idea] Hey, I got it. What if he's on our side? You know, havin’ a lion around might not be such a bad idea.
Pumbaa: So, we're keepin’ him?
Timon: Of course. Who's the brains of this outfit?
Pumbaa: [picks Simba up with his tusk] Uh--
Timon: My point exactly. Jeez, I am fried. [he and Pumbaa walk off, carrying Simba] Let's get out of here, and find some shade.
[inside a deserted Pride Rock, Zazu is singing in the rib cage while Scar using a pointy part bone as a toothpick]
Zazu: [singing] ♪ Nobody knows the trouble I've seen. Nobody knows my sorrow. ♪
Scar: Oh, Zazu, do lighten up.[throws the bone out] Sing something with a little bounce in it.
Zazu: [singing] ♪ It's a small world after all... ♪
Scar: [angered] NO, no! Anything but that.!
Zazu: [singing] ♪ I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts. Dee-dee-dee-dee. There they are all standing in a row... ♪'

Scar: [with Zazu] "♪ Big ones, small ones, some as big as your head--"♪''
Zazu: Oh... I would never have had to do this for Mufasa.
Scar: WHAT? What did you say?
Zazu: Oh, nothing.
Scar: You know the law. Never, ever mention that name in my presence. I am the king!
'Zazu: Yes, Sire, you are the king. I-I-I only mentioned it to illustrate the differences in your royal managerial approaches. (Nervous Laugh)
Banzai: [from offscreen] Hey, Boss!
Scar: Oh, what is it this time?
Banzai: We got a bone to pick with you.
Shenzi: I'll handle this. Scar, there's no food, no water.
Banzai: Yeah. It's dinnertime, and we ain't got no stinkin' entrees!
Scar: It's the lionesses' job to do the hunting.
Banzai: Yeah, but they won't go hunt.
Scar: Ohh... eat Zazu.
Zazu: Oh, you wouldn't want me. I'd be so tough and gamey and eww!
Scar: Oh, Zazu, don't be ridiculous. All you need is a little garnish.
Banzai: I thought things were bad under Mufasa.
Scar: What did you say?!

Banzai: I said Muf-- (Shenzi Nudges Him) I said, uh, que pasa?

Scar: Good. Now get out.
[Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed shuffle past Scar. They pause in the entryway of Pride Rock and look back at Scar.]
Banzai: Yeah, but we're still hungry.
Scar: [from offscreen] Out!
[Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed flee.]
Simba: Timon, this is Nala. She's my best friend?
Timon: "Friend"?!
Simba: Yeah. [to Pumbaa] Hey, Pumbaa! Come over here!
Pumbaa: [get free] Huh?
Simba: Nala, this is Pumbaa. Pumbaa, Nala.
Pumbaa: [politely] Pleased to make you acquaintance.
Nala: The pleasure's all mine.
Timon: How do you do? [realizes] Whoa! Whoa! Time out! Let me get this straight: You know her, she knows you, but she wants to eat him, and everybody's okay with this? DID I MISS SOMETHING?!
Adult Simba: Relax, Timon.
Adult Simba: [As he and Nala are walking in the jungle] Isn't this a great place?
Adult Nala: It is beautiful. But I don't understand something. You've been alive all this time. Why didn't you come back to Pride Rock?
Adult Simba: [climbs in the vines] Well, I just needed to get out on my own. Live my own life. And I did. And it's great.
Adult Nala: We've really needed you back home.
Adult Simba: No one needs me.
Adult Nala: Yes, we do. You're the king.
Adult Simba: Nala, we've been through this. I'm not the king. Scar is.
Adult Nala: Simba. He let the hyenas take over the Pride Lands.
Adult Simba: [shocked] What?
Adult Nala: Everything is destroyed. There's no food. No water. Simba, if you don't do something soon, everyone will starve.
Adult Simba: I can't go back.
Adult Nala: Why?
Adult Simba: You wouldn't understand.
Adult Nala: What wouldn’t I understand?
Adult Simba: No, no, no. It doesn't matter. Hakuna Matata.
Adult Nala: What?
Adult Simba: Hakuna Matata. It's something I learned out here. Look, sometimes bad things happen...
Adult Nala: Simba!
Adult Simba: ...and there's nothing you can do about it. So why worry?
Adult Nala: Because it's your responsibility.
Adult Simba: What about you, you left?
Adult Nala: I left to find help. And I found you. Don't you understand? You are our only hope.
Adult Simba: Sorry.
Adult Nala: What's happened to you? You're not the Simba I remember.
Adult Simba: You're right. I'm not. Now are you satisfied?
Adult Nala: No, just disappointed.
Adult Simba: You know, you're starting to sound like my father. [starts walking away]
Adult Nala: Good. At least one of us does.
Adult Simba: [shocked at what Nala said, angrily turns to her] Listen, you think you can just show up and tell me how to live my life?! You don't even know what I've been through!
Adult Nala: [worried] I would if you just tell me!
Adult Simba: [furiously walks away] Forget it!
Adult Nala: [angrily] Fine! [angrily turns her head away; camera switches to Simba pacing in a field.]
Simba: She's wrong. I can't go back. What would it prove, anyway? It won't change anything. You can't change the past. [he looks up at the stars.] You said you'd always be there for me! But you're not. And it's because of me. It's my fault. It's my fault.
[He bows his head, choking back tears. The camera backs to a far view and then zooms over to Rafiki in a nearby tree.]
Rafiki: [his chant gets louder] Asante sana! Squash banana! We we nugu! Mi mi apana!
[Simba seems slightly annoyed by the chant. He moves away. Rafiki, elated by the sight of Simba, follows him. Simba lies down on a log over a pond. A rock disturbs the water; Rafiki, now in a nearby tree, starts his chant again.]
Simba: Come on, will you cut it out? [Rafiki, laughing, is doing random acrobatics in the trees nearby.]
Rafiki: Can't cut it out. It'll grow right back!
[laughs]
[Simba starts walking away. Rafiki follows.]
Simba: Creepy little monkey. Will you stop following me? Who are you?
Rafiki: [in front of Simba, then right in his face.] The question is, Who...are you?
Simba: [makes a startled face, then sighs] I thought I knew. Now I'm not so sure.
Rafiki: Well, I know who you are. Shh. Come here. It's a secret. Asante sana! Squash banana! We we nugu! Mi mi apana!
Simba: [groans] Enough already. What's that supposed to mean, anyway?
Rafiki: It means you're a baboon...and I'm not. [laughs]
Simba: [Moves away] I think you're a little confused.
Rafiki: [in front of Simba again] Wrong. I'm not the one who's confused; you don't even know who you are.
Simba: [sarcastically] Oh, and I suppose you know.
Rafiki: Sure do. You're Mufasa's boy. [Simba is surprised by this revelation] Bye. [exits]
Simba: Hey, wait! [chases after Rafiki; after catching up to him, he is in a meditative lotus position on a rock.] You knew my father?
Rafiki: [monotone] Correction: I know your father.
Simba: I hate to tell you this, but he died...a long time ago.
Rafiki: Nope! [leaps off the rock] Wrong again! [goes over to a dense jungle-like area and laughs] He's alive! And I'll show him to you. You follow old Rafiki, he knows the way. Come on! [Rafiki leads Simba through the brush. Simba has trouble keeping up due to his size. The music slips into African chant.] Don't dawdle. Hurry up!
Simba: Hey, whoa. Wait, wait.
Rafiki: Come on, come on.
Simba: Would you slow down?
[Rafiki is seen flitting through the canopy ahead of Simba, laughing hollowly and whooping. Simba struggles to keep up.]
Rafiki [appears with his hand held up right into Simba's face.] Stop! [Simba stops running and the music stops abruptly] Shh.[Rafiki motions to Simba near some reeds. He parts the reeds and points past them with his staff; whispering] Look down there. [Simba quietly and carefully works his way out. He looks over the edge and sees his reflection in a pool of water. He first seems a bit startled, perhaps at his own mature appearance, but then realizes what he's looking at.]
Adult Simba: [annoyed sigh] That's not my father. That's just my reflection.
Rafiki: No, look harder. [Rafiki motions over the pool. Ripples form, distorting Simba's reflection; it resolves into that of Mufasa. A deep rumbling noise is heard] You see? He lives in you.
[Simba is awestruck. The wind picks up. In the air the huge image of Mufasa is forming from the clouds. He appears to be walking from the stars. The image is ghostly at first, but steadily gains color and coherence.]
Mufasa’s Spirit: Simba.
Adult Simba: Father?
[Simba sees his father's spirit in the sky]
Mufasa’s Spirit: Simba, you have forgotten me.
Adult Simba: No. How could I?
Mufasa’s Spirit: You have forgotten who you are and so have forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba. You are more than what you have become. You must take your place in the Circle of Life.
Adult Simba: How can I go back? I'm not who I used to be.
Mufasa’s Spirit: [now fully formed in the sky] Remember who you are. You are my son, and the one true king.
[Close up of Simba's face, bathed in the golden light, showing a mixture of awe, fear, and sadness. The image of Mufasa starts to fade]
Mufasa’s Spirit: Remember who you are.
'[Mufasa’s spirit is disappearing rapidly into clouds. Simba runs into the fields trying to keep up with the image]
Adult Simba: No! Please don’t leave me!
Mufasa’s Spirit: Remember.
Adult Simba: Father!
Mufasa’s Spirit: Remember.
Adult Simba: Don’t leave me.
Mufasa’s Spirit: [fading away] Remember.
[Simba is left out in the fields. There is just a cloud left where his father's image was. The wind tosses the grass restlessly. Rafiki approaches]
Rafiki: What was that? [laughs] The weather. [scoffs] Very peculiar. Don't you think?
Adult Simba: Yeah. Looks like the winds are changing.
Rafiki: Ahhh. Change is good.
Adult Simba: Yeah, but it's not easy. I know what I have to do. But going back means I'll have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long. [Rafiki whacks Simba on the head with his staff] Ow! Jeez, what was that for?
Rafiki: It doesn't matter. It's in the past. [laughs]
Adult Simba: Yeah, but it still hurts.
Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it. [swings his staff again at Simba, who ducks out of the way] Ha! You see? So, what are you going to do?
Adult Simba: First, I'm gonna take your stick.
[Simba snatches Rafiki's staff and throws it and Rafiki runs to grab it]
Rafiki: NO, NO, NO, NO, NOT THE STICK! HEY, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!
Adult Simba: I'M GOIN' BACK!
Rafiki: GOOD! GO ON! GET OUT OF HERE!
[Rafiki begins laughing and screeching louder]
[Back in the jungle, Timon and Pumbaa are sleeping. Nala enters and taps Timon with a paw]
Nala: Hey. Hey, wake up. [Timon wakes up and sees Nala's face, he and Pumbaa start screaming in fear] It's okay. Whoa, whoa! It's okay! It's me!
Timon: Don't ever do that again. Carnivores. Oy.
Nala: Have you guys seen Simba?
Timon: I thought he was with you.
Nala: He was, but now I can't find him. Where is he?
Rafiki: [laughs] You won't find him here. [chuckles] The king... has returned.
Nala: I can't believe it. He's gone back.
Timon: Gone back? What do you mean? [notices Rafiki is gone] Hey! What's going on here? Who's the monkey?
Nala: Simba's gone to challenge Scar.
Timon: Who?
Nala: Scar.
Pumbaa: Who's got a scar?
Nala: No, no. It's his uncle.
Timon: The monkey's his uncle?
Nala: No! Simba's gone back to challenge his uncle to take his place as king.
Timon and Pumbaa: Ohhhhh.
[Simba, Nala, Timon and Pumbaa make it to the Pride Lands and see hordes of hyenas]
Timon: Hyenas. I hate hyenas. [whispering, to Simba] So what’s your plan for getting past those guys?
Adult Simba: Live bait.
Timon: Good idea. [realizing] Hey!
Adult Simba: Come on, Timon. You guys have to create a diversion.
Timon: What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?
[Suddenly, the sound of bongo drums gets the hyenas' attention. Timon dances the hula while Pumbaa appears as a roasted pig with an apple in his mouth. Simba and Nala sneak stealthily side-by-side without the hyenas noticing]
Timon: Wow! [sings] ♪ If you are hungry for a hunk of fat and juicy meat, eat my buddy Pumbaa here because he is a treat. Come on down and dine on this tasty swine, all you have to do is get in line. A-a-a-are you achin'... ♪
Pumbaa: Yup, yup, yup.
Timon: ♪ ...for some bacon? ♪
Pumbaa: Yup, yup, yup.
Timon: ♪ He's a big pig. ♪
Pumbaa: Yup, yup.
Timon: ♪ You could be a big pig too. Oi! ♪
[Timon and Pumbaa shriek in fear and run away with the hyenas in hot pursuit]
[Simba and Nala arrive at the bottom of Pride Rock. They pause]
Adult Simba: Nala, you find my mother and rally the lionesses when she's alright. [Nala nods] I'm gonna look for Scar. OK?
[Simba and Nala part fashions. Simba creeps closer to Pride Rock. Thunder rumbles overhead. Scar stands atop a boulder near Pride Rock]
Scar: SARABI!!!
[Scar's voice echoes. Gasping upon realizing this, Simba peers out from behind a rock. Sarabi strides through the crowd of hyenas who are gathered underneath Pride Rock. They snarl and snap at her heels, but she does not flinch. Thunder crashes overhead, and Simba watches mournfully. Sarabi climbs up to stand in front of Scar.]
Sarabi: Yes, Scar?
Scar: Where is your hunting party? They're not doing their jobs.
Sarabi: Scar, there is no food. The herds have moved on.
Scar: No. You're just not looking hard enough.
Sarabi: It's over. There is nothing left. We have only one choice. We must leave Pride Rock.
Scar: We're not going anywhere.
Sarabi: Then you have sentenced us to death!
Scar: Then so be it!
Sarabi: You can't do that.
'Scar: I am the king. I can do whatever I want.
Sarabi: If you were half the kind Mufasa was, you w--
Scar: (enraged) I'M TEN TIMES TO KING MUFASA WAS!!!!
[Simba emerges on a high ledge, roaring in anger. Lightning flashes, and thunder crashes overhead. Scar stares in fear as Simba descends the ledge.]
Scar: Mufasa? [backs off] No. You're dead!
[Simba runs down to his mother and awakens her.]
Sarabi: Mufasa?
Adult Simba: No. It's me.
Sarabi: Simba? You're alive? How can that be.
Adult Simba: It doesn't matter. I'm home.
Scar: Simba? Simba! I'm a little surprised to see you... alive.
[Shenzi, Banzai and Ed gulp nervously.]
Adult Simba: [sternly] Give me one good reason why I shouldn't rip you apart.
Scar: Oh, Simba, you must understand. The pressures of ruling a kingdom--
Adult Simba: Are no longer yours. Step down, Scar.
Scar: Well, I would, actually. However, there is one little problem. You see them? [referring to the hyenas] They think I'm king.
Adult Nala: Well, we don't. Simba's the rightful king.
Adult Simba: The choice is yours, Scar. Either step down or fight.
Scar: Oh, must this all end in violence? I'd hate to be responsible for the death of a family member. Wouldn't you agree, Simba?
Adult Simba: That's not going to work, Scar. I've put it behind me.
Scar: But what about your faithful subjects? Have they put it behind them?
Adult Nala: Simba, what is he talking about?
Scar: Ahh, so you haven't told them your little secret. Well, Simba, now's your chance to tell them. Tell them who is responsible for Mufasa's death.
Adult Simba: [after a trying to pauses out, somberly; to Sarabi] I am.
Sarabi: [whispering] It's not true. Tell me it's not true.
Adult Simba: [somberly] It's true.
Scar: [angrily] You see, He admits it!!! MURDERER!
Adult Simba: No. It was an accident.
Scar: If it weren't for you, Mufasa would still be alive. It's your fault he's dead!! Do you deny it?
Adult Simba: No.
Scar: Then you're guilty!!
Adult Simba: No, I'm not a murderer!
Scar: Oh, Simba, you're in trouble again. But this time, Daddy isn't here to save you. And now EVERYONE KNOWS WHY!!!
[Simba falls off, but hangs onto the edge of a cliff]
Adult Nala: SIMBA!
[lightning strikes patch of dry land, igniting a fire]
Scar: [looking at Simba who is clinging to the edge of the cliff] Now, this looks familiar. Hmm. Where have I seen this before? Let me think. Hmm. Oh, yes, I remember. This is just the way your father looked before he died. [he claws Simba's paws the same way he did to Mufasa] And here's my little secret. [whispers] I killed Mufasa. [Simba's eyes widen. In a flashback, Mufasa plummets into the gorge, with young Simba watching in horror.]
Adult Simba: No! [angrily leaps back up and pounces on Scar] Murderer!
Scar: No, Simba! Please!
Adult Simba: [furiously] Tell them the truth.
Scar: Truth? But the truth is in the eye of the beho-! [Simba strangles Scar into submission.] Alright... Alright! I did it.
Adult Simba: [angrily] So they can hear you.
Scar: [louder] I killed Mufasa!
[Timon runs from Banzai with Shenzi]
Zazu: Let me out! Let me out!
Timon: Let me in! Let me in! [hugs Zazu tightly while they are both cornered by Banzai, with Shenzi] Please don't eat me.
Pumbaa: [appears at the mouth of the cave] Drop 'em!
Banzai: Hey! Who's the pig?
Pumbaa: Are you talkin' to me?
Timon: Uh-oh, he called him a pig.
Pumbaa: Are you talking to me?!
Timon: Shouldn't have done that.
Pumbaa: ARE YOU TALKING TO ME?!
Timon: Now they're in for it!
Pumbaa: THEY CALL ME…MR. PIG!!! [he angrily screams and charges at Shenzi and Banzai]
Adult Simba: [having Scar cornered; coldly] Murderer.
Scar: Simba, Simba, Please. Please have mercy. I beg you.
Adult Simba: [angrily] You don't deserve to live.
Scar: Simba, I am family. It's the hyenas who are the real enemy. It was their fault. It was their idea.
Adult Simba: Why should I believe you? Everything you ever told me was a lie.
Scar: What are you going to do? You wouldn't kill your own uncle.
Adult Simba: No, Scar. I'm not like you.
Scar: Oh, Simba, thank you. You are truly noble. I'll make it up to you, I promise. How can I, ah, prove myself to you? Tell me anything.
Adult Simba: Run. Run away, Scar
Scar: Yes. Of course. As you wish... [looking down and seeing a pile of hot coals] Your MAJESTY! [Scar swipes the coals into Simba's face. With a cried of surprise and pain, Simba paws the coals away as Scar leaps and attacks. There is a fight in slow motion. Both Scar and Simba land heavy blows. At normal speed, Simba gets knocked on his back. Scar leaps through the flames at him. Simba gathers courage and uses Scar's momentum in a "throw" similar to Nala's fighting tactics to send him flying over the edge. Scar tumbles to the bottom. He weakly gets up]
[After Scar is hurled over the slope of Pride Rock and survives; Shenzi, Banzai and Ed enter]
Scar: Ah, my friends.
Shenzi: "Friends"? I thought he said that we were "the enemy".
Banzai: Yeah. That's what I heard.
Shenzi and Banzai: Ed?
[Ed makes a deep-voiced evil laugh, and the hyenas start hungerly coming towards Scar and laughing]
Scar: [his last words] No, let-- No, l-l-l-let-- Let me explain! No, you don't understand! No, I didn't mean it! NO, NO! NO, I DIDN'T... I-I WAS MEANT- I... NO, NO!
[the camera pans up as the hyenas start to maul Scar to death with flames covering the scene. A brief rainstorm douses the flames. As Simba comes down, Zazu bows and mouths "Your Majesty.", and Simba greets his mother and Nala. Rafiki motions for Simba to ascend Pride Rock as king. Simba starts walking up and pauses to hug Rafiki as his father did]
Rafiki: It is time.
[Very majestically, he ascends through the rain. Through a hole in the clouds is a patch of stars. One bright star shines out briefly.]
Mufasa's Ghost: Remember.
[Simba’s expression gains confidence and strength to roar, and the lionesses follow suit, and Simba roars again.]

Taglines

  • See it for the first time ever in 3D (2011 3D re-release)
  • The greatest adventure of all is finding our place in the circle of life.
  • The King Has Returned. [for December 2002 IMAX release.]
  • The Circle of Life

Cast

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