Mulan is a Disney animation based on an ancient Chinese legend in which a girl becomes a national hero through daring acts of self-sacrifice and courage.

When the Huns invade China, the emperor prepares for war. He issues an edict that requires one man from every family in the country to report for duty.

Since the Fa family has only a daughter, Mulan, her elderly and crippled father knows he must represent the family and go to war. What he lacks in strength the old man compensates for in pride. He is willing and honored to accommodate the emperor's request.

When the regent hands Mr. Fa his orders, Mulan attempts to explain that her father's infirmities make him incapable of joining the campaign. But the regent rebuffs her while her father watches in shame.

Later, Mulan walks past her father's room and sees him standing before the military uniform he donned in years past. She watches as he removes his large sword and rehearses the motions of a sword fight. Too weak even to hold his weapon, he collapses to the floor in pain. Mulan is beset with worry; she knows her father is too weak to survive a battle.

As the family sits at dinner in somber silence, Mulan can take it no longer. She throws her rice bowl onto the table and says, "You shouldn't have to go. There are plenty of young men to fight for China."

Her father responds, "It is an honor to protect my country and my family."

"So you'll die for honor?" Mulan asks sarcastically.

"I will die doing what is right. I know my place, and it's time you learned yours."

Mulan leaves the room brokenhearted. After contemplating her options, she vows to pass herself off as a man and fight on her father's behalf. She is willing to lay down her life that he might live.

While her parents sleep, Mulan enters their room and dresses in her father's uniform. She takes her father's written orders and rides off on a horse.

Elapsed time: Measured from the beginning of the opening credit, this scene begins at 16:00 and ends at approximately 19:25.