| ![The Lion King [1994]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41F0Y0PCYZL._SL75_.jpg)
 enlarge | Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Actors: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly
Category: Video
Buy Used: £3.50
Used (3) from £3.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  56 reviews
Sales Rank: 24410
Languages: English (Original Language), Swahili (Original Language), Xhosa (Original Language), Zulu (Original Language)
Media: VHS Tape
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5 x 1.2
EAN: 4011846129776
ASIN: B00004RQD4
Theatrical Release Date: June 24, 1994
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: 1995 version - ***Same Day Shipping From the U.K. For Orders Received Before 4pm***
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| Customer Reviews:
 A DISNEY CLASSIC November 13, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Disney made another solid A in cinemas everywhere around the world in 1994 with "The Lion King," a very nice animated film.
It is about Simba, a young lion whose father was Mufasa, the original king of the Pride Lands. That opening scene where Rafiki broke open the gourd, made a mark on Simba's head with the juice and dust and lifted him towards the sun from Pride Rock is the most recognizable scene of the movie, because that's how it all began. As Simba had grown up, he had to learn about his issues in life, try to stay away from trouble (that scene where Mufasa and Simba had a long talk "SIMBA, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU, etc." TOTALLY taught Simba a lesson; after that was the whole "Look at the stars" thing), and later, as a wildebeest stampede, started by Scar, killed Simba's father, now Simba had to grow up all alone and try to figure this whole thing out all by himself.
Later, Simba was lost in the desert with vultures and stuff, and here, enter Timon and Pumbaa. This recognizable phrase, Hakuna Matata, started to change Simba's life, as well as moviegoers', forever! Then we see Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon (with his funny walk) walk across the log in the night, with Simba becoming an adult! Simba then had fallen in love with Nala, and later on, when Simba was worried, Rafiki had come to him, told Simba to look in the water, and Simba decided to return to Pride Rock to become king.
Pride Rock was a bad wasteland; how sad was that. Suddenly, Simba realized that Scar killed Mufasa, and so, they battled on Pride Rock with a fire below!!!!! Simba won, and all was restored, and that beginning scene? This time, with Simba and Nala, we see it again, and thus ends the movie.
"The Lion King" is a terrific film. It had memorable scenes, good lessons, and nothing but Disney Magic. I've seen this in the movies in '94 and the re-release in '95, we had the video for some time, and this played on the Old Disney Channel in the late 90s. Go watch it; I think your life will change forever.
 poor item September 13, 2007
0 out of 8 found this review helpful
Really dissapointing item. Its a Japanese dvd which i didnt feel was made clear in item description & my dvd player is constantly having to correct disc errors through the movie.
I did have to chase up with user, but fair play the item was reissued pretty swiftly which is the only reason why i've not given this 1 star.
Wont be using the seller again.
 Wonderful film - disappointing DVD July 18, 2007
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
'The Lion King' tells the story of Simba, a lion cub growing up on the African savannah. His father, Mufasa, is the wise king of the Pridelands, and teaches Simba about 'the circle of life' and the responsibilities he will have as the future king. However, Mufasa's covetous brother Scar is plotting to usurp the throne, and with the help of some hyenas, he engineers Mufasa's death. The hyenas chase Simba from the Pridelands, and he is left to grow up in exile with only Timon, a fast-talking meerkat, and Pumbaa, a slow-witted warthog, for company. But one day he must return and reclaim his kingdom ...
By turns heart-warming, tear-jerking and hilarious, 'The Lion King' is, in my opinion, the greatest Disney film of all time. The animation is wonderful for the most part, the songs are catchy, and the story is engaging for children and adults alike, though young children may find some scenes, such as Mufasa's death, upsetting.
I would have given the film by itself five stars, but was forced to knock a star off for the complete mess that was made of this special edition. Firstly, though it contains both the original theatrical release and a new version with an added song, the original theatrical version is hidden away in the Languages menu (even then it is not exactly the original, since the crocodiles in the song 'I Just Can't Wait To Be King' have been inexplicably changed). There is no information given on how to find it, and it is the new version, featuring the extra song 'The Morning Report', that plays by default. Since this song was added several years after the others were recorded, a new voice artist for the character of Simba had to be used, and the difference is glaringly obvious. Not only is the song awful, it completely disrupts a touching and amusing scene - I cannot imagine what the Disney executives were thinking when they decided to tamper with a near-perfect film in this manner.
Secondly, the 'factual' section of extras, which claims to give information about the various animals featured in the film, is rife with inaccuracy. During the segment on hyenas, for example, half the time the animals on screen are not hyenas but African wild dogs! (The narrator also states that there are two species of hyena, when there are actually three). Similarly, when the aardvark is mentioned in the segment on warthogs, a picture of a tamandua is shown. In the segment on meerkats we are told that they belong to 'the weasel or mongoose family' - they do belong to the mongoose family (Herpestidae), but this is a completely separate family from the weasel family (Mustelidae). I can see little point in adding a section that claims to be informative and educational if no effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the facts it contains.
The rest of the extras, however, are more satisfying. There are games and sing-along options that children will find entertaining, and much information on the background of the film, including how the film-makers came up with the story, early character designs, the origins of the music, and how the film was adapted for the stage.
In conclusion, a wonderful film - it's just a shame Disney didn't put a bit more thought and research into the special edition DVD release.
Classic Disney June 24, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
"The Lion King", in my opinion, becomes more difficult to watch as you get older. The music, Simba's scenes with his father - they are all spot-on; rewatching it, I was in tears almost constantly for the first thirty minutes. Disney *really* knew what they were doing when they made this, so props to them for that. When I rewatched this a few years ago, I actually thought that they had remade Shakespeare's "Richard III" - it turns out that they were aiming for "Hamlet" - and there's something really masterful in the story here, which is often nonexistant in other Disney films.
There are some great characters here as well. While Simba is a little on the bland side, Scar positively steals every scene he is in. The minor, "wacky" characters are possibly a little too numerous, but they are by and large very entertaining. Mufasa, Simba's father, is, of course, one of the great Disney parents, and his death is genuinely upsetting.
On a visual level, it is a little disappointing. While the backgrounds are full and lush, I do think that some of the animals are just a little *too* cartoonish. The lions in particular suffer in this case, which is unfortunate. The story structure as well is a little uneven - Timon and Pumbaa, two quite major characters, aren't introduced until quite late in the film, for example, and I felt that more of Simba's time living with the two of them and growing accustomed to their lifestyle would have improved things somewhat.
It's a good film, certainly, and I imagine many people would claim that it's the best Disney film of the '90s (if not of all time). While it's not quite my thing, it's a great family film which touches real emotions. The DVD is great as well, and comes packed with interesting additional features. Disney should definitely be proud of themselves.
The Lion King June 20, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Lion King is, without doubt, the best Disney film, no, the best animated film ever made. It deserves its success, from breaking box-office records, to having a number one soundtrack, and even for making it to the stage (which, by the way, is one of the most amazing shows the West End, or Broadway, has ever seen). As a result, I'm disturbed to read certain reviews which favour CGI animated flicks such as Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and Ice Age over the splendour that is The Lion King. Sure, the CGI ones are witty, but where's the charm? They're just joke after joke. They don't take themselves seriously enough, which is, I think, their downfall. The Lion King has just the right amounts of comedy and seriousness, with a great plot, great characters, music and animation chucked in. Who can't fall in love with the awe-inspiring image of the African Serengeti?
The opening scene, the visually stunning 'Circle of Life' sequence, is a cinematic feat. Huge expanses of savannah, beautifully animated animals and wonderful music combine to make it the best opening scene in, I think, film history. From there it's just a constant rise, from Mufasa's tear-jerking death scene to the beautiful 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight', and ending in the victorious, jump-for-joy, and again tear-to-the-eye scene atop of the magnificent Pride Rock, whereupon the 'Circle of Life' is complete.
This film truly is Disney's animated classic (second, of course, being Beauty and the Beast). And what makes it so good? One of the main factors is, I think, the lack of human presence in the actual film itself, but with such an oh-so-human story pushing it to the top of the Disney pile. This film is not to be missed. It is one for all generations, to watch again and again.
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