My Lion King Forum

Hey guys now I know that a lot of people might have seen this before, but as far as I know there has not been a proper thread on it yet.
So in case you have not seen Zira's original death scene that did not make it into the final film then you can see that here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoctlRyGdf8

So now I just wanted to hear people's thoughts on the original scene. In case you couldn't make it out - Zira refuses to take Kiara's paw and lets go, thus committing suicide and smiling while doing so. But in the actual film, she just slips further down until she reaches the bottom. So what I wandered is what people think of the original suicide scene, in comparison to what happens in the final film. Do you think that the suicide suited her character more? Discuss it away ^^

The suicide thing would have added so much depth to Zira as a character, and to the movie itself. I think they should have kept it.

[quote="QueenOfPrideRock"]The suicide thing would have added so much depth to Zira as a character, and to the movie itself. I think they should have kept it.[/quote]

I agree. Too bad Disney didn't see things the same way.

I think it was because ya know... Kids and suicide... It would have been controversial, those were more conservative times. Thing is though, even in the actual film she still chooses not to take her paw, it just is not in quite as extreme a manner as this deleted scene was...

I hardly think they would have interpreted it like that though. Most kids barely even know what a suicide is.

[quote="FlipMode"]I think it was because ya know... Kids and suicide... It would have been controversial, those were more conservative times. Thing is though, even in the actual film she still chooses not to take her paw, it just is not in quite as extreme a manner as this deleted scene was...[/quote]
Agree. It would be too dark for a Disney movie.

Besides, it was kind of suicide in the official death scene. When she refused Kiara's paw, she refused life and thus chose death, so in a way, she killed herself.

[quote="Nitro"]Besides, it was kind of suicide in the official death scene. When she refused Kiara's paw, she refused life and thus chose death, so in a way, she killed herself.[/quote]

Hmm. I've never thought of it that way before. That's a very interesting thought.

[quote="Nitro"]Besides, it was kind of suicide in the official death scene. When she refused Kiara's paw, she refused life and thus chose death, so in a way, she killed herself.[/quote]
Well, I think she just didn't want to be helped by Kiara, because when she slips and falls, she starts screaming.

It's ironic. That's how Mufasa dies, except he asked for Taka's paw and he was thrown down, not refusing a paw and slipping down.