From the magnificent musical opening over breathtaking African vistas to its rip-roaring emotionally charged climax, The Lion King reigns supreme as animation's greatest crowning achievement. Set amid the majestic beauty of the Serengeti, Disney's epic coming-of-age saga tells of the love between a proud lion ruler, Mufasa, and his son Simba -- a naive and curious cub who 'just can't wait to be king.' Out from the shadows prowl Simba's envious Uncle Scar and his hyena henchmen. Their scheming for the throne leads to tragedy ... and Simba's exile from the kingdom he should rightfully rule. Befriended by the warmhearted warthog Pumbaa and his manic meerkat companion, Timon, Simba forgets his regal responsibilities and adopts the carefree lifestyle of 'Hakuna Matata.' But can Rafiki, a wise mysstic baboon, help Simba reclaim his true destiny in the 'circle of life'? With a #1 hit soundtrack featuring songs by Elton John and Acaemy Award-winning lyricist Tim Rice, and score by Hans Zimmer -- and the greatest cast of voice-over stars ever assembled -- The Lion King triumphs with animation described by the New York Daily News as 'no less than perfection ... stunning!'
Release:
June 15, 1994 (limited); June 24, 1994 (wide)
Studio:
Walt Disney
Genre:
Animation / Children / Family / Adventure
Rating:
G
Running Time:
87 minutes
Music:
Elton John, Hans Zimmer and Tim Rice
Writer:
Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton and Irene Macchi
Producer:
Don Hahn
Director:
Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Voice:
Matthew Broderick..... Adult Simba Jeremy Irons..... Scar Moira Kelly..... Adult Nala Whoopi Goldburg..... Shenzi Nathan Lane..... Timon James Earl Jones..... King Mufasa Jonathan Taylor Thomas..... Young Simba Niketa Calame..... Young Nala Ernie Sabella..... Pumbaa Robert Guillaume..... Rafiki Rowan Atkinson..... Zazu Madge Sinclair..... Queen Sarabi
Award:
1995 Academy Awards..... Best Original Score, and Best Original Song, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" 1995 Golden Globes..... Best Motion Picture: Comedy/Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" 1994 Annie Awards..... Best Achievement for Voice Acting (Irons), Best Animated Film, and Best Individual Achievement for Story Contribution in the Field of Animation 1995 BMI Film & TV Awards..... BMI Film Music Award, and Most Performed Song from a Film "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" 1995 Casting Society of America..... Best Casting for Animated Voiceover 1995 Chicago Film Critics Association..... Best Score 1995 Kids' Choice Awards..... Blimp Award - Favorite Movie 1994 Los Angeles Film Critics Association..... Best Animation 1995 Motion Picture Sound Editors..... Best Sound Editing - Animated Feature, and Best Sound Editing - Music 1994 National Board of Review..... Best Family Film 1995 Young Artist Awards..... Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Voiceover - TV or Movie Jason Weaver For the duet with Laura Williams, and Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Voiceover - TV or Movie Laura Williams For the duet with Jason Weaver.
Nomination:
1995 Academy Awards..... Best Original Songs "Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata" 1995 Golden Globes... ..... Best Original Song "The Circle of Life" 1995 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films..... Best Performance by a Younger Actor (Thomas) 1994 Annie Awards..... Best Individual Achievement for Artistic Excellence in the Field of Animation, Best Individual Achievement for Artistic Excellence in the Field of Animation, and Best Individual Achievement for Artistic Excellence in the Field of Animation 1995 BAFTA Awards..... Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music, and Best Sound 1995 Cinema Audio Society..... Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for a Feature Film 1995 Grammy Awards..... Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television, Best Songs Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" and "Circle of Life" 1995 MTV Movie AwardsBest Movie Song "Can You Feel the Love", and Best Villain (Irons) 1995 Young Artist Awards..... Best Family Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical, and Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Voiceover - TV or Movie (Thomas)
