Is Mufasa's death the saddest of any Disney movie?

[AdAstrα]

It's very much a matter of personal experience and preference, that's for sure. I, for example, find Mufasa's death much more emotional than that of Bambi's mother, because Bambi doesn't actually see her dead. What I find most heartbreaking about Muffy's death is Simba's reaction to it, not just the fact that he died.

[ScarsLove]

I think Disney would've gone a bit to far as to show Bambi's mothers body. I don't think a gun shot would be that clean so there might certainly be some blood. However if they would've pushed passed that wall and shown it with Bambi's reaction.. that would've been heart breaking. But I agree, Simbas reaction is the part that really chokes me up. I especially think the part where he says 'Dad..Dad?!' is about the saddest part because it seems he's coming to realize that his father is dead but he doesn't want to believe it.

[UncoordinatedPisces]

Yeah, I'd have to say its the most emotional for me. I never really sobbed as much at TLK than at Bambi's mother's death, nor the death of any of Disney character. I've sobbed at Disney movies in general at an emotional moment (Esmerelda standing up and shouting "Justice" at Frollo, 'Goodbyes May Seem Forever' from Fox and the Hound, the end of Pocahontas) but for a death, yeah, Muffy's was heartbreaking.

[AdAstrα]

TLK was groundbreaking in that way, since it actually deals with things like death and guilt. Before then nobody had ever seen a Disney character mourn his parent in the way Simba did, and thus they took a huge risk by adding that scene. A few decades earlier (and certainly back in the 40's when Bambi was made) it wouldn't have worked at all. It seems that Disney had a lot of guys in the 90's especially (and oh how I wish they still did)

[Ninaroja]

According to IMDB Bambi was supposed to go back and find his mother in a pool of blood, and the hunter that shot her was to be shown dead after the forest fire that he started. From what I understand something lile that wouldn't have gone over too well, especially during the War, which was a pretty sensitive time anyway.
Maybe kids were less sensitive in the 90s? Or maybe it all goes back to the whole "modern audiences are more desensitized to death and violence" argument.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPTM6GpAQlE The parents at the end of this video don't seem too concerned. One of them actually compares it to Bambi, as well.

[Lauren]

Personally, I think it is. What breaks my heart is not only seeing Mufasa dead in the middle of a gorge and a depressing tone in the environment, but seeing his young child crying with emotional tears running down his face, knowing that his death has now impacted him. Without help. Without a father. Having the fear of telling his own mother that "Daddy died." Plus, being very confused on what to do as his next move. Imagine being in his position, especially as a child. Putting guilt on someone at Simba's age is nervewrecking too.

[Regulus]

It's not just Simba's reaction. It's because of Simba's reaction and what Scar tells him.

[DGFone]

To top it off, I always found the scene where the hyenas chase Simba out of the Pride Lands as quite powerful as well. Sure, we get the bit of humor where Banzai falls into the thorn bushes, but from Simba's perspective, his last memories of the Pride Lands are of Mufasa's death, and the last thing he hears from his home is:[quote] "Yeah, you hear that? If you ever come back, we'll kill ya!" [/quote]

Just wait a while and let it sink in...

[AdAstrα]

Yeah, that part makes me sad as well. I mean, just imagine what Simba must've felt as he ran away

[MooLion]

Yeah, well I wasn't saying Bambi's death necessarily makes me most close to tears, just saying it's a great bit of effective cinema right there.

I agree also that the 'Baby Of Mine' Dumbo scene is so so sad. :'(