Movie description

Wild Africa is the setting for this animated tale of a young lion cub whose evil uncle usurps his father's crown and lets hyenas overrun the kingdom. Dodging danger and befriending some oddball characters, the cub wanders until the day he's ready to return. Songs by Elton John and featuring the voices of Whoopie Goldberg, Cheech Marin, James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Jeremy Irons. Academy Award Nominations: 4, including 3 for Best Original Song. Academy Awards: 2, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Elton John and Tim Rice: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight").

Credits

Cast:

Ernie Sabella

Details

Edition:

Platinum Edition; Features an All-New Song

Notes

DVD Features:

Region 1
2-Disc Set

Disc #1: Theatrical Version
Anamorphic - 1.66
Audio:
 THX Mastered Audio
 Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
 Deleted Scenes
 Music Video - 1. Discovery Channel Circle of Friends - "Circle of Life"
Interactive Features:
 Scene Access
 Interactive Game - 1. Virtual Safari
                            2. Personality Profile Game
                            3. Grab A Grub Game
                            4. Sound Sensations Game
 Interactive Menus

Disc #2: Extended Version with New Song
Anamorphic - 1.66
Audio:
 THX Mastered Audio
 Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
 Interview - 1. Elton John and Tim Rice - Composers
 Behind the Scenes Footage
 Featurette - 1. STORY JOURNEY: STORYMAKING MAGIC
                  2. STAGE JOURNEY: BEHIND THE SCENES ON BROADWAY
 Documentary - 1. ANIMAL JOURNEY: DISNEY ANIMALS
Interactive Features:
 Scene Access
 Interactive Menus

DVD Features:

Region 1
Limited Edition Collectible Package
Letterboxed Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
 Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
 DTS 5.1 Digital Surround Sound
 THX-Certified

Theatrical release: June 17, 1994 (NY/LA).
                           June 24, 1994 (Wide Release).

THE LION KING is the 32nd full-length animated feature from Walt Disney Pictures.

In 1995, "The Lion King" was the top-selling video, surpassing "Aladdin," "Snow White," and "Beauty and the Beast." It actually sold 20 million copies in the first six days of its release.

Editorial reviews

"...A hugely entertaining blend of music, fun and eye-popping thrills....A movie of exhilarating surprises..."
Rolling Stone - p.98 - Peter Travers 

"...As visually enchanting as its pedigree suggests....Anthropomorphic genius..."
New York Times - p.C11 - Janet Maslin 

"...Disney dazzle..." - Recommended
Premiere - p.91 - Josh Rottenberg 

"...[A] rapturous piece of storybook mythmaking." -- Rating: A-
Entertainment Weekly - p.40 - Owen Gleiberman 

"...A majestic outdoor spectacle....[With] nobly high visual and moral standards..." -- 3 1/2 out of 4 stars..."
USA Today - p.1D - Mike Clark 

"...This latest Disney animated feature once again delivers what its audience wants..."
Los Angeles Times - p.F1 - Kenneth Turan 

"...THE LION KING deals with real issues....A learning experience as well as an entertainment..."
Chicago Sun-Times - p.39 - Roger Ebert 

Awards

1994 Academy Awards, Best Original Score: Hans Zimmer