The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition Collector's Gift Set) | 
| Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Actors: Rowan Atkinson, Matthew Broderick, Cathy Cavadini, Judi M. Durand, Whoopi Goldberg
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Category: DVD
Buy New: CDN$ 129.99
New (3) Used (2) from CDN$ 71.99
Rating:  218 reviews
Sales Rank: 19690
Format: Collector's Edition, Ntsc, Special Edition, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled)
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.9
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5.7 x 2.3
ISBN: 078884850X
UPC: 786936225419
EAN: 9780788848506
ASIN: B00008XEOI
Theatrical Release Date: June 24, 1994
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand NEW Authentic Region 1 for US/Canada. Out of Print and very RARE DVD. Outer box has no plastic wrap but everything else is new, dvd is still sealed. Great gift for Christmas!
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| Editorial Reviews:
From Amazon.com
Anybody who struts around with Simba's hard-won authority deserves this royal DVD read-along from Disney. Kids can recoil at Uncle Scar's dastardly deeds Ien espanol/I and discover that "hakuna matata" sounds pretty much the same in Spanish, French, Italian, or German. And should the dynamic storytelling fail to thrill your 4- to 12-year-old fan, a flurry of other interactive options await. Toggle to "Songs" for sing-along renditions of movie hits, including "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," and on to "Music Videos," where Elton John roars soundtrack favorites "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M groove to "Hakuna Matata." The "Vocabulary" feature allows for see-and-say mastery of a list of wildlife, while the "Game" section allows players to match paw and hoof prints to the proper beast and reassemble the scattered skeletal remains of an elephant. Original cast voices are featured, and grownups will be pleased by the package's reading component. I--Tammy La Gorce/I
Additional Features
How good-looking is the restoration of Disney's popular animated film? Take a look at the serviceable but dull film clips incorporated in the plethora of extras and compare them to the vivid gorgeousness of the film presentation. This "special edition" also adds a 90-second song ("Morning Report") that originated in the lavish stage musical. To Disney's credit, the original theatrical version is also included, both restored and featuring two 5.1 soundtracks: Dolby Digital and a new Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix, which does sound brighter. As with the Disney Platinum line, everything is thrown into the discs, except an outsider's voice (the rah-rahs of Disney grow tiresome at times). The excellent commentary from the directors and producer, originally on the laser disc, is hidden under the audio set-up menu. p The second disc is organized by 20-minute-ish "journeys" tackling the elements of story, music, et cetera, including good background on the awkward Shakespearean origins at Disney where it was referred as "IBamlet/I." The most interesting journey follows the landmark stage production, and the kids should be transfixed by shots of the real African wildlife in the animal journey. Three deleted segments are real curios, including an opening lyric for "Hakuna Matata." Most set-top DVD games are usually pretty thin (DVD-ROM is where it's at), but the Safari game is an exception--the kids should love the roaring animals (in 5.1 Surround, no less). One serious demerit goes to the needless and complicated second navigation system that is listed by continent, but just shows the same features reordered. I--Doug Thomas/I
Amazon.com Essential Video
Not an ideal choice for younger kids, this hip and violent animated feature from Disney was nevertheless a huge smash in theaters and on video, and it continues to enjoy life in an acclaimed Broadway production. The story finds a lion cub, son of a king, sent into exile after his father is sabotaged by a rivalrous uncle. The little hero finds his way into the "circle of life" with some new friends and eventually comes back to reclaim his proper place. Characters are very strong, vocal performances by the likes of Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Whoopi Goldberg are terrific, the jokes are aimed as much (if not more) at adults than kids, the animation is sometimes breathtaking, and the music is more palatable than in many Disney features. But be cautious: this is too intense for the IRugrat/I crowd. I--Tom Keogh/I
Un essentiel Amazon.fr
Dans la savane africaine, le lion Mafusa, roi des animaux, et Sarabi donnent naissance a Simba. L'heritier pourrait grandir en paix s'il n'y avait Scar, le frere de Mafusa, dont la soif de pouvoir va le pousser a commettre l'irreparable#8230; Pour le grand plaisir des fans de dessins animes, ILe Roi Lion/I, le plus grand succes des studios Disney (sur le fil, semble-t-il, avec l'aquatique INemo/I) sort enfin dans une edition exclusive double DVD. Pour l'occasion, Disney a fait les choses en grand et il y a largement de quoi contenter le chaland : pas moins de deux versions du film, un karaoke, des jeux, des scenes coupees et une suite de documentaires savoureux, appeles "safaris", sur les differents stades de fabrication du film. Un DVD plein de surprises et de magie. Un vrai bonheur au niveau de l'animation. Un cadeau ideal ! --IGeorge Maubeuge/I
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| Customer Reviews: Read 213 more reviews...
 Disney has ruined the soundtrack August 23, 2008
muxdata (Canada)
This is a great movie, and the DVD video quality is excellent. However, Disney has remixed the soundtrack, and has left it very thin. br /The introduction sequence is a spectacular extravaganza of animation, and is a classic presentation, however the original VHS audio was superior. br /I thought perhaps I was imagining the low quality, so I plugged in my VHS version. br /The waterfall can be heard rumbling in the VHS track, but is almost absent on the DVD. br /The Elephant footprints come down with such force on the original that you are nearly vibrated off your seat, again on the DVD they are less than impressive. br /Finally the finale - the powerful concluding thud on the drum that vibrates the walls and echos for several seconds. The VHS track leaves you awed, but the DVD track is empty, and thin. br / br /Spending 30+ dollars on this DVD left me highly disappointed. br /Surely DVD audio re-mixing is something that Disney should have figured out after this many years. br /
 I guess I'm not a fan July 18, 2004
Doctor Goode (Atlanta, GA)
0 out of 12 found this review helpful
I wish I had read the review here warning that this movie is not appropriate for young viewers. I just assumed that a modern Disney movie would not have this level of violence. I also just have to comment that I found the animation, the story, the script and especially the music to be far below the quality I would expect from Disney. I know most disagree but I really don't get it! The music is formulaic 1990's drivel without any creativity. Despite the violence, it was phenomenally slow and hard to care about any of the characters. My son was so bored he only made it through half the movie before wandering off to do something more exciting.
 Wonderful DVD June 30, 2004
C. BULLARD (LANSDOWNE, PA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love the Lion King and am even more happy that it is now on DVD. It is funny, colorful, and has a message for myself and children. I am happy that Disney put it on DVD. The special features are an added bonus. Thanks Disney.
One Of The Last Great Disney Features (spoilers included) June 28, 2004
J. A Hayes (Montgomery, AL United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Lion King debuted in 1994 and at the time became the highest grossing animated movie of all-time. Why? Because it had everything a Disney animated feature should have: a hero, great songs, beautiful animation and most importantly, charm. It is the story of Simba, who is born to Mufasa and one day will become king of the pridelands. In the beginning we see the strong bond between father and son, as Mufasa teaches Simba the things he needs to know to survive. Mufasa has a brother, Scar, who is jealous of Simba and feels like he is the rightful heir to the throne. Scar sets up Mufasa to be killed and then convinces Simba to run away by persuading him that his father's death was his fault. Simba runs away and is befriended by Timon and Pumba who help to raise the cub. So all the while Simba is growing up, Scar is ruling the pridelands just the way it should not be ruled. The land has become dry and the herds of animals once plentiful have migrated elsewhere. The kingdom is in disarray and the lions, with the exception of Scar, are suffering. Once Simba is grown he comes to realize what is going on at home and he is faced with the decision of taking his place as king or not going back. pThis Platinum dvd edition presents a fully loaded 2-disc set, wih some interesting commentaries, deleted scenes and art galleries which are always fun. In some ways I felt like the set was targeted at kids rather than the true Disney fans, due to the inclusion of the virual games and music videos. That is a silly complaint on my part though, as I am proud to own a dvd quality copy of the Lion King. It is so amazing to be able to see the best picture possible with all the bright colors, and to hear this on the surround system. You really couldn't ask for more in a dvd. The only one true complaint is the inclusion of the Morning Report song into the film. It does not fit and it was so hard finding the original version without the song. In fact the whole layout on here is difficult to navigate and can be aggravating. Once you figure it out though I am sure you will be completely satisfied with the dvd that Disney has given us.pAlthough I can't personally say The Lion King is my favorite Disney animated movie, it certainly is near the top of my list and I recommend seeing it if you have not. Chances are you have seen it, but there are those who haven't. Great songs, smooth animation, loveable characters make this movie a true Disney classic, and in my opinion one of the last great Disney features (Lilo and Stitch is also a good one), and it is a shame that Disney doesn't seem to want to put more heart and effort into their movies these days. But if you like the movie pick this one up as it will go out of print next year, and I also recommend the other titles in the Platinum line.
Love it. ;-) June 22, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
When I was little (well littler) I didn't like this movie that much but now when I watch it I really love it. The older Disney movie are really good. *sniffles and hugs her collection of Disney movies*
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