My Lion King Forum

I have watched this ending several times, and I tend to like it more than the final ending in the film. People do get a bit confused because the storyboarding is a bit jumbled and fast paced. Simba does not die, he is seen nuzzling Sarabi at the final. Anyway, I like this ending better as it has the "Good night, sweet prince" line and I love how the fire consumes Scar which is symbolic of his hatred and jealousy.

What do you think?

i agree with you

Do you mean 'Mufasa does not die, he's seen nuzzling Sarabi at the final.'?
(Bcause it says Simba)

It is Simba

And I think that that is a fascinatingly dark ending for TLK (and Scar). I'm surprised they actually considered having the hero lose the battle against the villain, which I think it quite unlike Disney.

While I really do like this version too, I'm glad that they didn't use it in the film. It just... wouldn't have felt right xP

This is the storyboard, if anyone's unfamiliar with it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y14TwUGQ3xE

Ah I see, in the original storyboard Simba dies... Got a bit confused here...

A lot of people think Simba dies, because he falls into the fire. Actually, he lives. Simba is seen nuzzling either Nala or Sarabi (I am pretty sure it's Sarabi) at the very end. I admit, it takes a while to unravel it all. I kind of like this ending because it is different. I think Scar would have been cunning enough to win against Simba, but I love Scar laughing manically and being consumed by flames! Yes, the hero is defeated in the initial battle, but that's more realistic. Scar still dies, thinking he won, but Simba will take over his kingdom. I wish Disney could be more dark like when they did Hellfire in the Hunchback. Very daring as Frollo is admitting lust towards Esmerelda. Then again, I never was one for "happily ever after"

But I don't understand about that original ending:

How did Simba survive the fall into the fire?
What the hell happened? Why is Scar begging Simba to help him?
How exactly Scar gets consumed by the fire if he's in a situation where he thinks he won?

Generally I like that original ending better for the fact that Simba doesn't win so easily and because of the line "Good night, sweet prince" which brings Hamlet in, in more literal way in the spoken lines too. (I think "Long live the king" is from it too but it's not so hamlety as the other one.)

But I like better the film version of way Scar reveals to Simba that he murdered Mufasa. It just doesn't feel so genuine and intense in the original version. Plus, its more dramatic and intense that the hyenas eat Scar than if he died by the fire.

So, I think something between the storyboard and the final version would've been the best.

I admit, it takes a while to unravel the storyboard I had to watch it several times. Especially in the middle where the action is like flash and then flash! I never really liked Scar getting eaten by hyenas, but maybe that is me. I like symbolism and the fire burning Scar to death shows how his hatred, jealousy, and even pride have gotten out of control. I do agree that it was essential for Scar to reveal to Simba that he murdered Mufasa. I know they had to tune it down because I have to remember Disney can't be too dark. I guess children would not have gotten the symbolism of the fire and Scar is not actually seen being eaten, just the hyenas jumping on him, similar to the death of the gorilla cub in Tarzan. It is irony though that Scar is eaten by hyenas who were his allies and he helped them never go hungry. (Note Pridelands Phantom is a total dork and loves literary references and thinks way too much ^^)

I like the final ending