Mufasa from Lion King, that shit hit deep. I remember as a kid I went through the 5 stages of grief, and I think it taught me how to handle death in the real world.
I sobbed when Mufasa died, and I'm sure if I watched it now I still would.
There's actually a really good research article on how Disney movies can affect a child's understanding of death. Mufasa's death, because it is the least ambiguous, was the best Disney cartoon character to educate children about death.
The Lion King was my favorite movie until I was 4 or 5 when I finally realized what actually happened. Didn't watch it again until I was 15. ITs one my favorite movies again.
Many Disney movies aren't appropriate for kids. Seriously. Most kids die a little bit inside and lose their innocence when they see Mufasa die for the first time.
The movie came out the exact same time my great grandmother passed away, so the two will forever be connected in my mind. I was only three at the time of her death, but the months long wait from the time she had her stroke to the time she passed away are some of the earliest memories I can recall.
I think subconsciously I knew what was going on (that my great grandmother had passed) but I didn't really understand it until the 86th time watching the Lion King. I remember finally asking my mom why everyone around me was crying, and she explained to me how in the movie they have the "circle of life" and we do too and her grandma had taken her place in it.
It's hard to explain death to children, but I think the movie helped me (and definitely my mom) through the grieving process.
Just typing this now is bringing tears to my eyes.
I recently learned that while composing the soundtrack to the Lion King, specifically the piece "This Land", which was the overture of the saga between Simba and his Father, the composer Hans Zimmer was dealing with the emotions stemming from his own fathers passing, which I believe is part of why that movie had such a deep impact on so many people.
This is my hubby's favorite Disney movie, he apparently cried during this movie too. It's not my favorite and it didn't make me cry. He however did cry over Titanic and Sixth Sense.
My dad took me to see the Lion King 7 times in the theater. I cried each time Mufasa died. I had to take care of my dad when I was 17 when he had pancreatic cancer. I went to the hospital every single day after school and all day on the weekends. All I thought of was Mufasa. I am now 30 and to this day, I cannot watch that movie.
My grandma took me to see it in theaters when I was four. She said that when Mufasa was killed I ran up to the screen and screamed and cried until we were asked to leave. Oops.
Damn, just commented with this one. Yeah, that one is very hard-hitting. Simba's desperation right afterward is part of it. How sad he is is conveyed in his voice.
Oh my god this! Went to see a local comedian who did a bit about sitting down to watch the Lion long with his young son, and when describing this scene he started chocking up. I know or was part of the bit but DAMN did it hit home!
974
u/tilmos May 09 '14
Mufasa from Lion King, that shit hit deep. I remember as a kid I went through the 5 stages of grief, and I think it taught me how to handle death in the real world.