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Normally I wouldn't be quite so blunt in my summary, but wow--the people featured in this film who owned these incredibly dangerous 'pets' were crazy!! While I knew there were a lot of sick folks who owned big cats and chimps, I didn't realize the problem was that bad. The documentary folks do two things--travel with people who are trying to get these animals away from irresponsible owners as well as show the owners themselves. While the film is clearly against most folks having these animals as pets, it equivocated a bit from time to time--such as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation officials saying that they were NOT in favor of banning the owning of these animals and the film portrayed the owners rather decently.

Overall, a very bizarre but important film--important because crocodiles, tigers, chimps and the like are quite probably living near you! In fact, the Dayton, Ohio locale for some of the film was a bit scary, as I used to live between Dayton and Cincinnati--and there are apparently LOTS of insanely dangerous animals in that area.

Also, the film apparently came out just before the biggest and scariest story about insane people with exotics--the man near Zanesville, Ohio who deliberately released his dangerous managerie (which included 18 tigers) and then killed himself!! Wow...

I for one will back Tim Harrison 150% on his claims in this film. Having been the person answering the phone for more than five years at a non-profit exotic animal sanctuary whose mission is to provide permanent 'end of life' care to captive-raised, non-domestic animals like those depicted in the film, I know what he says to be true! We, too, field more than 100 requests each year to 'adopt', or graciously accept private owners' "donations" (such a grand term for dumping their burdens on us) of their grown-up big cats, monkeys, iguanas, pythons, giant tortoises, bears, and other non-domestic 'pets'. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE for having living beings caged in this way? There is no valid reason other than to satisfy human ego, curiosity, and for profit. Period. If the general public doesn't know that's the case, then this film is a great starting point to become informed! It is not a horror-fest, so don't be afraid!! It is not purely a "message movie", either. This film is a piece of excellence in filmmaking, an extraordinary story-telling feat, and one every single American should see.

This is a must-see for anyone concerned about animal welfare or the welfare of their community (which includes almost everyone!). We see exotic animal incidents from all over the country and closely follow a heart-breaking story of a man and his lions. Most people (including me until I saw this film) have no idea how easy it is to purchase exotic animals and simply keep them in your home as if they were no different from a dog or a cat. How is it possible that you need a license to keep a dog, but not an elephant? This film shows why it shouldn't be possible, and blows the lid off an industry that turns a blind eye to human and animal suffering.

This film contains absolutely fascinating information.Its a story that hasn't been told and everyone in the U.S. should know about it.I watched the film twice and each time I was mesmerized. Tim is a character who is charismatic, devoted to his mission and sincere. He's a modern American hero and should probably have his own TV show on this subject. Terry is a little tough to watch.I wondered at his naive stance. If the content of this film is true (and I think it is)it should be required viewing at zoos, schools,and pet stores. We have an alarming epidemic in America and nobody is talking about it. Maybe THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM will help uninformed Americans wake up.

I have been permanently altered by this documentary, one of the best animal and human relations films I have ever seen. Even two months after seeing it at the Sonoma International Film Festival, I keep reflecting on the many beautiful and heart-wrenching stories interwoven in this compelling and unbelievable tale of the lives of exotic animals and the people who buy and own them in the United States. It will open your eyes to the true cost of allowing exotic animals to be imported into our country. And the plight is not only for the animals but for the people who buy, love, and care (or try to care) for them. Compassion, courage, and candor are what make this movie so touching and real. You get more than just a passing glimpse into the lives of people affected by exotic animal ownership. You will come to love a real American hero, Tim Harrison, as he tries to walk the fine line between caring for both the animals and the people affected by the choices they make in becoming exotic animal owners. You will also be moved by the story of Terry, a man in Ohio who was given the gift of a lion cub one fateful day. What is so great about The Elephant in the Living Room is that the director, Michael Webber, clearly followed his heart in creating this film. Instead of a superficial story, he traveled all over the country painstakingly documenting and following the lives of some unique individuals and animals that you will never forget. Lambert the Lion will stay in my heart forever. Thank you for making this film, Michael!

A little surprised this is rated PG considering that it shows the lion being tortured and killed albeit accidentally. And a python being shot intentionally. Just the fact that this is about wild animals who are dangerous I think it should be at least a PG-13 rating. It does focus on the fact that there are a lot of irresponsible owners that cause problems, especially when they release animals they can no longer care for in and around towns and cities where humans live. There was no focus on an elephant in this film that I could see, although I do admit I nodded off for a few minutes here and there. Not because it was so boring but because I was very tired. I'm a documentary fan and I'm an animal fan so I did find this film interesting; however it does focus on Terry and his lions. In the end we are happy that the remaining of the pride will be in a Sanctuary that is huge upgrade from where they were although still nothing like where they would be in the wild. The film briefly shows various stories about other animals which is the chimpanzee and the elephant, but it's so brief and we want more info but the film just meanders along through long drawn out footage of Terry and his languishing lions. There is no happiness in this film. I think it intends to show us that there needs to be some regulation IE being required to show that you have expertise and a place to keep such an animal. There's one review that expounds on the fact that many experts do keep exotic animals safely and with high regard for the animal and in many cases are helping to keep them from being extinct. But in this film we find that for instance huge pythons are released to the point where they have now created a biome where they don't really belong. There is a need to regulate how where and who can keep animals that will kill you if given the chance. For instance I certainly think it should be illegal for a family with small children to keep a snake that could eat them. I know the statistics show us that most snake owners who own dangerous snakes do fall victim to their animal. We've all heard horrific stories about people who have kept exotic animals only to be killed by them. I'm not that familiar with the positive stories and in fact we probably don't hear much about those. I would have liked this film to focus at least a tiny bit more on the brief inserts such as the starving elephant that was removed from someone's home. I found it extremely upsetting the lion was electrocuted although accidental. We call it an accident but it was incompetence and unnecessary. What the film really does show though is how beautiful those lions are.

This is the most amazing movie we have seen on the big screen in years! We were privileged enough to see the premier of this film in Dayton, Ohio tonight. We laughed, we cried, we were on an emotional roller coaster throughout the movie. Cant wait until its available to buy! You wont be disappointed! Eye opening on the issues we have in our country. It was enlightening, heartwarming, educational, and funny. My kids enjoyed it just as much as we did. This is the first time a documentary film has impacted me in such a way that I felt the need to get involved and help with the cause. It was amazing to see many of the problems in our own back yards that we never knew existed.

What an eye-opener. I simply had no earthly idea what is going on with "exotic animals" in the United States. I mean WTF. Who in their right mind would keep wild animals as household pets? This needs to be outlawed in all 50 states. I applaud the effort made in the state of Ohio and all 49 other states need to follow suit - immediately. On top of my disbelief at the statistics of the number of lethal creatures there are in US households, I could hardly believe what the Amish are doing. They have one of the main sources for the purchase of these creatures that need to be living life in their own natural habitat. Not in homes where they can literally kill or maim a young child at any given moment because this has happened - repeatedly. Not a one time occurrence. There should be a law that if someone has this type of creature and the creature causes harm or death to a human, that person should be held liable and serve prison time. Period. I thank the producer for this documentary and opening my eyes as I plan to contact my local representatives to find out what the laws are where I live and if this practice is allowed, to petition to prohibit it. Permanently. Geesh. I wonder just how more mad humans can get. I mean mad in a mentally ill state. Good heavens people, this is what domesticated animals are for.

I can barely express how disgusted I am by what I saw in this documentary. Wild animals deserve to be free. Wild animals should not be bred for captivity, picture taking, or for people who have small appendages to "own". The person who has two lions in a horse trailer deserves to be severely fined and put in jail! The lions are laying in excrement, have no water, and have no food. This is just as bad as having a wild animal in a cement environment. The Lions obviously have no veterinary Care! Otherwise, how would four Cubs magically appear? Wild animals, especially large cats and primates, have no place in private ownership. Republican lawmakers, especially in texas, need to wake up and stop the abuse! Democrats already know that this is a really ignorant practice. I am a wildlife biologist by training and I'm just abhorred by this practice. Stop abusing wildlife!

It feels like your heart is getting ripped right out of you when you see what happens. Almost as if you are right there. Even though the narrative is told mostly through an animal lover's perspective -- which seeks to restrict the ownership of exotic pets -- we also hear from those who think otherwise. He may be the subject of much condemnation on these boards, but Terry's dilemma with his pet lions really does articulate the position many owners of exotic pets find themselves in: they love the animals and would defend them with their lives, but a wild and dangerous animal taken out of its natural habitat poses a threat to all.

The sincerity of everyone involved in this film really does shine through. But the central character, Tim Harrison, comes across particularly as someone who genuinely cares about animals. It was Tim's authenticity that colored much of the material and it was the trust he fostered that made it possible to gain the kind of access needed to make this film.

Well worth your time to watch this even if you disagree with the premise.

I have no idea how to begin but, I know how I end so, the end is probably the beginning. I speak as an Irishman so, take what I say in your own way.

It's interesting that these people are hell bent in owning animals that start with African, Burmese, Mexican, etc. which are not native to America yet, have no problem with the virtual extinction of America's native species; Buffalo, Couger, et al.

It's also interesting that in the current American climate, Animals have more right to ingress to America, than humans; and these animals don't even have rights in the first place. Strange that.

I abhor animal captivy however, I must make exceptions with regards to Zoos. They have been around for over 200 years, most current species on show are derieved from their ancestors therefore, mass release would actually cause more harm to them than good. Thankfully, the past 20 years or so have changed attitudes regarding Zoos, it's just a pity that nothing has changed regarding human nature and wild animals.

Derogatory remarks on a postcard please, I have rolls of toilet paper.

TL;DW caged animals are a problem.

This entire documentary is an hour and a half of two guys telling stories that you know the ending to, separated by random news clips while sad, repetitive music plays through the entire thing. It could be condensed down into about five minutes. One guy is a bunch of weepy regret with shots of him crying and shots of his caged lions, the other guy just says "I once caught this, I once caught that" over and over and over.

Ten lines of text,

Ten lines of text,

ten lines of text.