There’s No Way Anyone’s Passing This Lion King Quiz!
- by Adrian
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Founded in October of 1923, the Walt Disney Animation Studios became a force to be reckoned with in the movie industry immediately following the release of its first feature animated film in 1937: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. After this came several other commercial and/or critical successes, including Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), Dumbo (1941), Bambi (1942), Cinderella (1948), Peter Pan (1953), Lady and the Tramp (1955), and Sleeping Beauty (1959).
Unfortunately, the passing of Walt Disney in 1966 and Roy O. Disney in 1971 resulted in an eighteen-year slump, where the films released by the studio weren't very financially successful. However, the release of The Little Mermaid in 1989 marked a Disney renaissance, and what followed was a slew of critically and commercially successful films, including 1994's The Lion King.
Directed by Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers, produced by Don Hahn, and with music composed by Elton John and Tim Rice, The Lion King raked in a kingly $968.5 million at the box office as against its budget of $45 million. Furthermore, the film won two Academy Awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song (for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight").
25 years after the release of the original The Lion King, Walt Disney Pictures is set to release a photorealistic computer animated remake (Wikipedia). For this reason, it's a good time to recall the original movie. Practically everyone loved it, but there's no way anyone's passing this Lion King quiz!
How are Mufasa and Scar related?
In a movie, how effectively the characters of the hero and the villain are written often have a lot to do with how captivated the audience will be by the story. Furthermore, how these characters interact with each other and set up the conflict of the story often determine how invested the viewers will be. Well, in The Lion King, at least in its first half of the film, the main hero and villain are Mufasa and Scar. Fortunately, the drama between these two characters was effective enough to keep our eyes glued to the screen. How are Mufasa and Scar related?
What's the name of Simba's mother?
In a monarchy, the king usually has the most important functions and the most power. However, the queen also often plays very important roles even though many of them are unofficial. For one, she should provide the king with her support and sometimes even her counsel. Also, a queen is often left to be the main person in charge of raising the royal children so that they will be ready to take on any responsibilities they may be given when they grow up. In The Lion King, the mother of Simba plays an important role in raising him. What's the name of Simba's mother?
What word makes one of the hyena's shudder?
Disney's animated features have often included sidekicks for the villains, and these assistants have often been clumsy and funny characters who have messed up the villains' sinister plans. In The Little Mermaid, we have the eels, Flotsam and Jetsam. In Aladdin, we have the scarlet macaw, Iago. In Beauty and the Beast, we have LeFou. In Hercules, we have Pain and Panic. And in The Lion King, we have the hyenas. One thing about the hyenas that can hardly be argued is that they're hilarious characters, and one of the funniest scenes features one of them shuddering after hearing a particular word. What word makes one of the hyenas shudder?
According to Mufasa, who are watching from the stars?
After Mufasa scolds his son for disobeying the strict order that Simba shouldn't go to the forbidden place, Mufasa lovingly (and forebodingly) talks to his son about what the future holds. When Simba asks Mufasa about them being pals and always being together, Mufasa sensitively talks to him about the fleeting nature of life in a way that the young cub can understand. More specifically, Mufasa uses something that his own father once told him about the stars. Mufasa shares that his dad revealed that there were always eyes watching them from the stars. Who is it that Mufasa says are watching from above?
What song is played in the opening scene?
The opening scene in a movie is important in that it establishes the mood and arouses the viewers' interest in what they're about to watch. In The Lion King, the opening scene features the different animals going about their majestic lives. This enthralling scene was accompanied by a song that effectively captured the spirit of the Pride Lands of Africa. In fact, the song was so brilliantly written that it received the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Amazingly, the music for it was said to have been written in less than two hours (Wikipedia). What song is played in the opening scene?
What is Scar's reason for his absence at Simba's presentation ceremony?
The presentation of the king's son is an important ceremony that all the animals of the kingdom are expected to attend. This is because the king's son automatically becomes first in line to succeed the present king. Scar doesn't attend Simba's presentation ceremony, and Mufasa, the king, is obviously upset about Scar's absence. Mufasa doesn't just ignore Scar's absence; he pays Scar a visit and confronts him about why he wasn't present at the important event. Well, Scar seems to have a ready explanation for his absence. What reason does Scar give for not being present at Simba's presentation ceremony?
According to Mufasa, what does the kingdom cover?
In every kingdom, territory is a big deal. The area that a kingdom covers determines where the leaders can justly exercise their power and for what they can be held accountable. Thus, the training for someone in line to be king should include being made familiar with the territory of the kingdom. Mufasa shares this piece of knowledge with Simba in one of the most heartwarming scenes from the movie. In fact, Simba wakes his father and mother from their slumber due to his excitement to be taught this very important lesson. According to Mufasa, what does the kingdom cover?
What place is Simba told not to go to?
Having just learned about the coverage of the territory of the kingdom, Simba is excited to learn all about it, including its boundaries. In the process, Simba asks about a certain shadowy place that he sees from where he and his father are standing. Mufasa then responds by warning Simba that the place isn't included within the kingdom's borders, and he also sternly forbids Simba from ever going to that place. However, in literature, whenever a young one is told of an all-important rule, that's usually a sign that something's about to go wrong. What place is Simba told not to go to?
Where does Simba say he's taking Nala?
Despite Simba being next in line to succeed as king, he's still just a cub, and immature creatures are naturally curious and mischievous. One example of this is the time when Simba decides to explore the "shadowy place" that he was specifically and sternly told by his father not to go to. Even worse, he decides to take Nala with him. When he's asked by his mother where he's planning to take Nala, she wisely allows him only under the condition that Zaza accompanies them to where they're going, which predictably annoys Simba. Where does Simba say he's taking Nala?
Which of the following is NOT one of the hyenas?
There has been considerable criticism of how Disney characterized the hyenas in The Lion King. One aspect of the characterization of the hyenas that's been criticized is how they're incompetent and dimwitted. But are they really? If we really think about it, the hyenas actually display a considerable level of competence in the acts that Scar asks them to carry out. Some of these include cornering Simba and Nala (who are only luckily rescued in the nick of time by Mufasa) and triggering the stampede that actually took Mufasa's life. Which of the following is NOT one of the hyenas?
What is the last thing Scar tells Mufasa?
One of the most heartbreaking scenes in The Lion King is the part where Mufasa, after rescuing Simba from a stampede, tries to save his own life by climbing up a steep cliff. Barely able to hang on, he asks for the help of Scar, who is watching from the edge. But instead of assisting Mufasa, Scar heartlessly digs his claws into Mufasa's paws, stares deeply into Mufasa's eyes, and speaks his final words to Mufasa. For sure, many viewers felt gasps escape from their mouths as they watched the tragic scene. What is the last thing Scar tells Mufasa?
What stampede tramples Mufasa?
Throughout the first half of the movie, Mufasa is portrayed as a royal creature, a just king, and a loving father. And it's for this reason that the scene where Mufasa is trampled by a stampede is so tragic. What angered viewers all the more is the fact that it was Scar who had orchestrated the events. Scar ordered the hyenas to trigger the stampede and made sure that Simba would find himself in its path. Then, after Mufasa is able to save his son's life, he ends up losing his own when Scar causes Mufasa to lose his grip. What stampede tramples Mufasa?
Why does Simba banish himself from the kingdom?
After Mufasa is trampled by the stampede, Simba looks for his father, who was actually the one responsible for Simba not being crushed by the stampede. It takes the young cub a while, but after some time, he's understandably heartbroken to find Mufasa's lifeless body. Simba tries to wake Mufasa—of course, to no avail—then desperately tries to call for help. Then, a turn of events leads Simba to banish himself from the kingdom. That event is crucial because, after Mufasa loses his life, Simba is in line to be the next king. Why does Simba banish himself from the kingdom?
Why does one hyena end up with a body full of thorns?
The three hyenas who serve as Scar's sidekicks are among the most memorable characters from The Lion King. They provide a substantial number of funny scenes and also carry out (or at least try to carry out), with the instructions of Scar, some pretty dastardly acts. In one particularly hilarious scene, a hyena finds himself in a field of thorny bushes and painfully ends up with a body covered in needles. Predictably, the two other hyenas find the sight to be extremely funny, which terribly annoys the thorn-covered creature. Why does one hyena end up with a body full of thorns?
What are the vultures preying on?
Vultures, referred to as "buzzards" in The Lion King," are real-life scavenger birds, meaning they usually rely on the remains of animals for their food. This seemingly sickening way of living has often given vultures a pretty bad reputation, which is the reason why they're often portrayed as villainous creatures in literature. However, in truth, vultures actually have a necessary and beneficial purpose in nature, as they serve to clean up the remains of animals, which most animals wouldn't consider as food. In "The Lion King," several vultures are seen preying on a particular creature. What are the vultures preying on?
What phrase of Timon and Pumbaa does Simba adopt?
Soon after Timon and Pumbaa take Simba under their wing, they notice that he looks blue (although Pumbaa insists he looks brownish-gold). Then, after finding out that Simba can no longer return to where he came from, they assume he's an outcast—like themselves—and teach him a few things. One memorable lesson they give is about a phrase that they live by and which Simba eventually adopts. Of course, later on, Simba realizes that the phrase may not necessarily be one that's meant for him, but for the moment, he readily adopts it. What phrase of Timon and Pumbaa does Simba adopt?
After his first taste of a grub, Simba says, "Slimy yet..."
A grub is defined as "the thick-bodied, sluggish larva of several insects, as of a scarab beetle" (dictionary.com), and grubs are what Timon and Pumbaa rely on for their food. They inform Simba that if he's going to live with them, he has to eat like them. At first, Simba is understandably not excited by the thought of eating grubs—they're very different from his usual diet of red meat from zebras, antelope, hippos, and the like—but after a demonstration from the unlikely pair, Simba gives their food a try. After his first taste of a grub, Simba echoes Pumbaa and says, "Slimy yet..."
Timon is what kind of animal?
Sure, Timon cared for Simba when the young cub was alone and helpless (although he and Pumbaa also had having a lion on their side in mind when they did so), but is Timon actually all that good a character? For one, was it really a good lesson to teach Simba that "when the world turns its back on you, you turn your back on the world"? And wasn't Timon a credit grabber, often claiming that it was he who had thought of Pumbaa's good ideas? Or maybe the naughtiness is just natural for his species... Timon is what kind of animal?
Who is Nala chasing when she finds Simba?
Throughout most of The Lion King, Nala, as well as the other lionesses, is portrayed as being gentle and kind. However, we have to remember that she's still a lion, and lions are naturally strong and fierce. They need these parts of their nature to enable them to protect their young and for them to be able to hunt for food. For this reason, it shouldn't be surprising that in one particular scene, Nala is shown chasing ferociously after another animal. However, after this scene, we once again see her as the gentle and kind Nala we're more familiar with. Who is Nala chasing when she finds Simba?
Pumbaa is what kind of animal?
As The Lion King progresses, Pumbaa proves to be a much more complex character than we think him to be when he is first introduced. After all, in his introductory scene, Pumbaa, with Timon, is shown to be engaged in "bowling for buzzards," what appears to be a funny but pointless game. Then, in later scenes, although he often makes a fool of himself, he also shows some signs of brilliance, such as suggesting that he and Timon take Simba under their wing so that they can have a lion on their side. Timon even claims the idea as his own! Pumbaa is what kind of animal?
What song plays as Simba and Nala are getting to know each other again?
After Simba is separated from his tribe, he isn't able to interact with any of the other lions from the kingdom for a number of years. However, when he reaches adulthood, fate has it for him to once again come face to face with Nala, his childhood best friend. Understandably, the idea that Nala immediately brings up is the fact that Simba should be the ruler of the kingdom, but Simba (as well as Timon) quickly refuses to entertain the idea. Later, the two lions endearingly begin to refamiliarize. What song plays as Simba and Nala are getting to know each other again?
How does Rafiki first find out that Simba is still alive?
Understandably, all of the animals allied with Mufasa are crushed when they learn about the stampede that took his life. What makes the event all the more tragic is that even Mufasa's young son, Simba—the first in line to replace Mufasa—is likewise gone. Or is he really? Of course, the audience knows that Simba, although he left the kingdom, actually escaped with his life. Eventually, Rafiki finds out to his great surprise—but also to his immense joy—that the now-adult Simba made it out of the stampede and is very much alive. How does Rafiki first find out that Simba is still alive?
Before attacking the hyenas, Pumbaa shouts, "They call me... !"
A commotion arises after Simba reveals himself to the rest of the animals of the kingdom, but some hyenas are still chasing after Timon from earlier. This leads Timon to hide in a bone cage with Zazu. When Timon is cornered in the cage, he pleads for the hyenas not to eat him as the carnivorous beasts lick their lips at the thought of making Timon their next meal. However, help arrives in the unlikely person of Pumbaa, who assertively commands, "Drop 'em." This leads one of the hyenas to ask, "Who's the pig?" Before attacking the hyenas, Pumbaa shouts, "They call me... !"
Rafiki is what kind of animal?
It's obvious from Rafiki's various scenes in The Lion King that he's a well-respected member of the kingdom. His first appearance in the movie is at the presentation ceremony of Simba. Not only do the animals that are gathered there make way for him, but some even give him a respectful bow. Furthermore, Rafiki and Mufasa are shown embracing each other at the ceremony, demonstrating that the two are very close. Also, the trust that Simba's mother shows in allowing Rafiki to carry her young son is evidence that the primate is a fully trusted personality. Rafiki is what kind of animal?
Who provides a scientifically accurate description of stars?
In one scene, Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa have just eaten and are lazily lying on the grass to allow digestion to take its course. Pumbaa then begins a conversation by asking, "Ever wonder what those sparkly dots are up there?" He is, of course, referring to the stars. The creatures then provide their answers. One guesses that the stars are fireflies that got stuck in the sky, another says that he always thought stars were "balls of gas burning billions of miles away," and another talks about being watched over from the stars. Who provides the scientifically accurate description of stars?
Aside from the spirit of Mufasa, who ultimately convinces Simba to go back to the kingdom?
One of the difficult decisions that Simba has to make in The Lion King is whether or not he should go back to the kingdom. Many questions run through his head as he ponders this thought. Is he willing to leave the carefree life that he's gotten used to? Will he have the courage to explain to the other animals what really happened (or what he thinks happened) to his father? Is he ready to take on the responsibilities as the ruler of his kingdom? In the end, he decides to go back. Aside from the spirit of Mufasa, who ultimately convinces Simba to go back to the kingdom?
Who DOESN'T have a singing part in "I Just Can't Wait to Be King?"
Not all viewers might have noticed it, but when "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" is sung in The Lion King, the forest background actually transforms to become brighter and more colorful. The filmmakers explain in the DVD commentary that this was done to reflect Simba's naivete. However, not everyone loved the song. In fact, although many children liked the tune and found it to be among the most memorable from the movie, The New York Times described it to be "irritating," and News.com called it "the underdog song" of the film. Who DOESN'T have a singing part in "I Just Can't Wait to Be King?"
What do Timon and Pumbaa do to attract the hyenas' attention?
Throughout most of The Lion King, Timon and Pumbaa have a carefree disposition towards life. In fact, they're initially very hesitant to allow Simba to go back to his kingdom to take on his responsibilities. However, when the time comes that Simba needs their help, they're surprisingly more than willing to do what they can, with Timon even saying, "Well, Simba, if it's important to you, we're with you to the end." And it ends up that Pumbaa and Timon's first task is to create a diversion for the hyenas. What do Timon and Pumbaa do to attract the hyenas' attention?
Why does Scar strike Sarabi?
One of the most emotional scenes in The Lion King takes place as the tension in the kingdom is at its highest because there is nothing left to hunt within the territory. Scar asks Sarabi why her hunting party isn't doing their job, and she replies by saying that there is no more food, that the herds have moved on, and that it's time to move lest everyone starve. Scar doesn't accept the proposal and says that, as king, he can do whatever he wants. Sarabi then does something that leads Scar to strike her. Why does Scar strike Sarabi?
What's the first thing Sarabi tells Simba upon seeing him again?
The scenes following Scar striking Sarabi are pretty dramatic. Simba saw that Scar had hit Sarabi to the point of knocking her unconscious, and this understandably infuriates Simba. His natural protective instincts awakened, Simba angrily reveals himself to Scar for this first time, which causes Scar to cower in dread. Then, Simba approaches the unconscious Sarabi and nudges her gently, which leads her to moan a bit before opening her eyes. At this point, Sarabi is barely awake and probably has blurry vision, but she says something quite significant. What's the first thing Sarabi tells Simba upon seeing him again?
What is this formation called?
This formation serves several important functions, including housing the king and his family (as well as other lions in the pack), serving as a central place for meetings, and being the venue for other official business functions of the kingdom. The structure seems to have been chosen because of its advantageous location. First, it provides an unobstructed view of the territory of the kingdom, thus allowing the king to watch over the goings-on among the animals, including possible attacks from beyond. Secondly, when ceremonies are conducted on it, the animals at the bottom can see clearly what's going on above. What is this formation called?
Who becomes Simba's wife?
A lot went on after Simba had left the kingdom and Scar had taken over as king. Most of the developments were negative ones, but soon after Simba returns, the animals are able to overcome Scar and the hyenas, the truth about what happened to Mufasa is revealed (and Scar meets his just end at the hands of the hyenas whom he betrayed), and Simba takes his rightful place as the king—most everything has been set right. What follows is to be expected after Simba establishes himself as the ruler of the kingdom: he takes a wife. Who ends up becoming Simba's wife?
What happens in the movie's last scene?
The ending of a movie is always considered crucial in that it should leave the audience feeling satisfied with how the conflict has been addressed and how all the loose ends introduced throughout the film have been tied up. Of course, it doesn't necessarily mean that there has to be a happy ending for a movie's conclusion to be considered a good one. But The Lion King is a Disney film after all, so a joyful wrap-up is practically expected. And fortunately, we do get a happy ending in this one. What happens in The Lion King's very last scene?
Who is the king's chief steward?
Of course, every ruler needs to have a trusty assistant, and in the case of the kingdom in The Lion King, that trusty assistant is called a "majordomo," which dictionary.com defines as someone "in charge of a great household, as that of a sovereign; a chief steward." In the movie, we see that the majordomo seems to be assigned with all sorts of tasks, depending on what is needed at the moment. These include serving as the advance representative of the king, making sure that the animals of the kingdom are kept in line, and even babysitting the king's son. Who is the king's chief steward?
Zazu is what kind of animal?
Zazu is one of the funny characters of The Lion King. He seems to feel that he's in charge of making sure the animals behave themselves, but he's also overcome with worry when facing the possibility of a physical confrontation. In one scene, he sees Scar toying with a mouse before making a meal out of the tiny creature, and Zazu scolds him, "Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food?" He also prods Simba about walking faster to where they're going so that they can likewise leave the place sooner. Zazu is what kind of animal?