What is the subject of the movie The Lion King?

Answer 1

Readers digest version:

The story is about a lion named Simba who fights his evil uncle Scar to reclaim the throne that was stolen from his murdered father Mufasa.

Long explanation:

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!! The Lion King is Disney's remake of Shakespeare's Hamlet. It tells the tale of a young Lion called Simba, who dreams of when he will one day take over the pride and become King of the "pride lands." His father Mufasa is the current King and along with his Queen Sarabi they lead the pride lands in a time of plenty. But Mufasa has an evil brother named Scar who wants the Kingship for himself. So he allies himself with the hyenas, enemies of the lions, to try and take over. He comes up with a plan to destroy Simba, but Mufasa saves his son and his sons friend Nala just in time. Scar, not to be defeated, then comes up with a better plan to rid himself of both Simba AND Mufasa. He manages to kill Mufasa and convince Simba that it is his fault. He tells Simba that he must run away. Simba, filled with guilt, does what his Uncle asks.

Simba runs to an oasis where he meets Timon the meerkat and Pumba the warthog. They teach him that a life without worries is the only way to go. He grows up in the company of the two oddballs and seems to forsake his roots altogether.

One day, Simba saves Pumba from a lioness who was on the hunt. Only to discover that the lioness is his old friend Nala! Nala informs him of the terrible conditions of his home under the reign of King Scar, she reminds him that he had a responsibility to his pride and that he is the rightful King. Simba, still thinking that he killed his father, refuses to return and tells Nala to mind her own business.

Simba then meets an old monkey who takes him on a journey to speak with the spirit of his father and tells him that he needs to learn from his past, not run from it. Mufasa's spirit scolds Simba for forgetting his roots and refusing his responsibilities. Simba finally comes to terms with what happened and decides to return.

With the help of his friends, he forms a plan to recapture his Kingship. When he reaches the pride lands and confronts scar. Scar tricks him into confessing that he killed his father, which devastates the lionesses, especially Sarabi. But when Scar tries to kill him in the same way his father was killed, he informs Simba that it was he who killed Mufasa. Simba flashes back to the death and realizes that it's true. He then forces Scar to confess to everyone what really happened.

When the truth finally comes out an all out battle ensues between the hyenas and the pride. Scar and Simba fight each other until it looks like Simba is going to kill Scar. Scar begs for his life and Simba grants it, but tells him to leave and never return. Scar attacks again and Simba throws him off a cliff where he is eaten by the angry hyenas.

Simba claims the pride as his own and with Nala at his side, the land returns to a time of peace.