Lions d'Afrique

Really a superb nature documentary, a captivating watch. I can't think of a better film on the wild kingdom. Why isn't this available on video? This is not specifically a film about lions as it's title implies, this is a film about the African wild, untouched, with fascinating looks at the life and times a full variety of species including elephants, rhino's, giraffes, antelope, monkeys, leopards, and more..

Near the beginning, the narrator says; "This is Africa, The Lions Realm.." which would have been a more appropriate title. The film covers a lot of different species, and it does so in a way that enables the viewer to both absorb specific insights into the daily existence of individual creatures, while at the same time experience the essence of the wild as a whole.

Now admittedly, I love nature and wildlife type shows; and my opinion is that this production made over 50 years ago, is amongst kings of nature films.

Another Disney Plus documentary, near the top alphabetically is "The African Lion" an addition to the "True Life Adventures" documentary series that was originally released in 1955, when animal documentaries were perhaps not as ubiquitous as they are now - indeed you can only imagine that for many this was their first ever look at African wildlife in their natural habitat.

Alfred and Elma Milotte spent three years filming the African Wildlife in three countries in Africa, Kenya, Tanganika (Now part of Tanzania) and Uganda. Their film focuses on African Lions and their behaviours but widens to show the rest of the ecosystem and how the animals interact with one another. Though the film is edited to provide a narrative of sorts, it's (thankfully) not the same cloying method as utilised with "A Tale of Two Critters".

Honestly, despite its age, I found myself sticking with "The African Lion" through to its conclusion and appreciating a lot of what I saw. It was edited to a really impressive orchestral score that I enjoyed and had some truly stunning visuals. The sky so full of locusts they reflect the sun and look like a flowing silver sea is something I hadn't seen before and that will stay with me.

Hidden cameras and High definition have, of course, surpassed this film in terms of showing the animal kingdom, but this was impressive for it's time and still retains some of that power today.

The lion is a superb and lazy, the wild world of animals, sometimes it seems unfair, beautiful documentary, as only Disney could produce, in such tender years and with such a grandiose, passionate production, despite being the least interesting of what I've watched marathoning Disney natural documentaries...

Disney documentary is one superb piece of work! Chronicles wildlife in Africa, centering on the King of the Beasts but also includes fascinating glimpses of rhinos, hippos, vultures, and even locusts(whose swarm is vividly captured). Three years in the making, film is an excellent primer for curious children, also terrifically entertaining for the adults.

Anybody who has a fascination with lions should definitely consider seeing 'The African Lion', especially if you have seen other documentaries primarily focused upon lions (i.e. 2011's 'The Last Lions') or featuring them (most episodes of documentary series that focus upon the wildlife of African habitats). Also if nature documentaries and Disney are your cup of tea, they certainly are mine, and if you want to see what older nature documentaries were like.

Having really liked the previous two True Life Adventures feature films 'The Living Desert' and 'The Vanishing Prairie', and taking all the above into account, expectations were high. And they were definitely met, as was the case with pretty much all the True Life Adventures series, feature films and short subjects (with only 'White Wilderness', which still had a huge amount to recommend, disappointing a little). It is not the definitive documentary on lions or one of the best of this particular series, but 'The African Lion' is incredibly well made and interesting and holds up very well.

'The African Lion' isn't perfect. The True Life Adventures feature films, oddly enough the short subject films didn't have this problem, did have the common problem of having some too cute and too jokey moments. 'The African Lion' is no exception, especially with the birds and the hippos. Some of the jokiness was again a bit forced and not needed.

On the other hand, a huge amount is done right and outweighs what could have been done better. 'The African Lion' looks great, the colour photography is so vivid in colour and never static. Showing the majestic scenery, both beautiful and uncompromising, in all its glory. Really liked the music on the whole, which was a mix of grand and catchy even if it occasionally over-emphasised the humorous moments. The animals, wonderfully varied, are a mix of adorable, sinister and fun to watch.

Moreover, the cubs are so playful and cute and the mother's love was very touching to watch. The hunting does thrill and doesn't get dumbed down. The material is familiar, ground-breaking actually back then but if you have seen similar footage or similar themes in documentaries made in the past forty or so minutes it's recognisable, but it doesn't feel tired. One of my favourite scenes of the True Life Adventures series is the jaw dropping locust blizzard, that is the closest the series gets to the sensation of "wonder at how this was filmed". Winston Hibler's delivery was not an issue to me, nicely deadpan at times but also always good natured.

Very good on the whole. 8/10.