Theme Comparison
Updated: Mar 24, 2022
One of the major similarities they share is that of the strong paternal figure and how these relationships affected the way the characters overcome the problems and situations they face in life.
Among many charmed films that touched the youth of many, there are definitely two that would never be left out of the list... The Lion King (1994) and Life is Beautiful (1997) which, even though they may seem very different, the emotions they invoke are similar. One of the major similarities they share is that of the strong paternal figure and how these relationships affected the way the characters overcome the problems and situations they face in life.
In “The Lion King” Simba is meant to take over the throne someday, but his uncle Scar tricks him into believing he is somehow to blame for his own father’s death. Scar convinces Simba to run away and never return. It is not until he gets the message from his father’s ghost he does return, to reclaim what is rightfully his and uncover the truth from his tyrant uncle.
The same happens with Giosue and his father, Guido, where his father sacrifices himself in order for his son to live. Preserving, as best he could, his son’s innocence he follows the rules of the concentration camp. He plays pretend with his son to keep Giosue from realizing the cruelty of their situation, by making Giosue believe that they are there by choice. He explains the rules of the game to stay safe and survive.
In both films, Simba and Giosue look up to and follow their paternal figures staying connected to their fathers even after they are gone. The main theme that they share is seeing the world the eyes of a child facing the cruelty of the world without losing the magic. During both films, Simba and Giosue are shaped due to his paternal figures and those same value their parents shared will follow and stay with their children long after they are gone. The main subject in these films still as an exploration through the eyes of innocent creatures towards the cruelty in the world but without losing sight of the magic in it. Moreover, without their fathers sacrifice neither Lion King (1994) or Life is Beautiful (1997) wouldn’t have a climax or the protagonist would had been forced to change their character’s arc. Ultimately it doesn’t really matter if a movie is animation or live action, animals or beings. The coincidences that really matter to connect between films is the story and the characters and their development.