Opening Sequence: "The Lion King" (1994)

*Opening Sequence will be an ongoing series that breaks down cinema's best opening sequences.*

"The Lion King" (1994)



The sun rises and Lebo Morake's Zulu chant explodes onto the scene and ushers the audience into an epic, animated experience.

Mbongeni Ngema and the rest of African Chorus join the chant as we are shown various animals in their environments as they are summoned to Pride Rock.

As a giraffe and her calf step out into the sunlight, the first verse (sung by Carmen Twillie) begins:

From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done

Watch closely (1:09 - 1:15): Ants, in focus foreground, are carrying leaves along a branch. A blur of animals run out-of-focus in the background. Rack-focus from ants on the branch to zebras trotting in the same direction as the rest of the herds.

Simple, yes. But an animated feature having a rack-focus just adds to the magic of the moment. They are using camera techniques that exist solely in the real world. By including this technique into an animated world only increases its critical value. Another example would be a lens flare, which you find quite often now in animations.

As the massive congregation of animals make their way to Pride Rock, the camera tilts up and follows Zazu, a hornbill.

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love

Zazu lands on Pride Rock and bows in front of King Mufasa. Shot from a low-angle, King Mufasa looks regal and menacing. After all, he is the King of the Jungle and its most feared resident. King Mufasa bows and smiles, erasing any fear that the audience has that he is a threat. This is an important introduction and distinction. The lion sits on top of the food chain, he is the most feared because he is the most powerful. But in this incarnation, he merely governs the chain. Instead of plundering its resources, he distributes its wealth.

Gourds on top of a walking stick make their way through the crowd.

Holding the stick is Rafiki, an old baboon, who acts as Pride Land's shaman. He climbs up Pride Rock and hugs King Mufasa. They are old friends.

Rafiki and King Mufasa look and see Sarabi cradling the infant-born Simba. The song enters its bridge as Sarabi licks the top of Simba's head.

Rafiki shakes his crooked stick and the gourds rattle. Simba playfully attempts to hit the gourds.

Rafiki breaks open a gourd and smears its juice across Simba's brow. He then takes a handful of dirt and sprinkles it over Simba's head.

This is Simba's baptism by sand.

Rafiki carefully picks up Simba and carries him to the edge of Pride Rock.

The African Chorus's chant swells.

Rafiki triumphantly thrusts Simba up for all to see.

It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all

The animals react with glee: elephants trumpet; monkeys applaud; and zebras stomp.

The camera starts behind Simba and circles around to get his reaction.

The sky. A shaft of sunlight shines down through the clouds on the future king.

The animals bow and kneel.

In the Circle
The Circle of Life

Rafiki holds Simba high. King Mufasa and Sarabi watch and stand proud.

The shaft of sun encompasses them all.

The camera tracks back to reveal all the animals fixed on one moment.

The annointing of the future king.

The music abruptly STOPS!

TITLE CARD (Red letters over Black Screen):

"THE LION KING".



Okay. Take a breath.

You're going to need it.

What makes this opening even more impressive is that the filmmaker's bracket it at the end. A great touch for an overall terrific film.

This is one of my all-time favorite opening sequences and it sets the standard for every film I see.

The only other film that captures my attention in a similar fashion is Alfonso Cuaron's brilliant "Children of Men" (2006), which adopts the same flash/cut to title card.

Carmen Twillie perfectly sums it up best:

"And it moves us all."

Indeed.