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The Lion King Facts

In order to make the animated characters as realistic as possible the animators studied live lions and other animals, and also travelled to Africa.

Computer-generated imagery was used to create the dramatic wildebeest stampede, which took about three years to produce.

The film is loosely based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, and also features elements from the Osirian family myths of Ancient Egyptian mythology.

The opening lyrics of "The Circle of Life" are:
" Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba Sithi uhm ingonyama Nants ingonyama bagithi baba Sithi uhhmm ingonyama Ingonyama Siyo Nqoba Ingonyama Ingonyama nengw' enamabala."
Which translate as:
" Here comes a lion, Father Oh yes, it's a lion Here comes a lion, Father Oh yes, it's a lion A lion We're going to conquer a lion a lion and a leopard come to this open place."

This was the first of Disney's animated features to show the death of a character (Mufasa). In previous films the death of a character was implied or shown off screen.

James Earl Jones who played King Mufasa, and Madge Sinclair, who played Queen Sarabi, also played the king and queen in the film Coming to America.

Scar's claws are always shown throughout the film, unlike the other lions.

The scar on Scar's face is in exactly the same place as it is on Al Pacino's character in the movie Scarface.

Rafiki sings "Asante sana, squash banana," which is a playground chant used in Africa, and means "Thank you very much, squash banana."

"Hakuna Matata" can be heard briefly during Toy Story, on the car radio when the toys are hanging onto the back of the removal truck.

Mufasa was the name of the last king of Kenya.

Simba is the Swahili word for lion / courageous warrior.

Rafiki is the Swahili word for comrade / friend.

Pumbaa is the Swahili word for ignorant / lazy.

Sarabi is the Swahili word for mirage.

 

When Timon pulls bugs out of a knothole during the "Hakuna Matata" song, one of them is wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

In the wide shot of the stars when Mufasa is telling Simba about the great kings of the past, Mickey Mouse can be seen.

 


 
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