Most of the lion attacks were real, and usually resulted in actual injury to the cast and crew.
Cinematographer Jan de Bont was mauled by a lion on the set. Over 120 stitches were needed to sew his scalp back in place. After medical treatment, De Bont returned to the production to complete his Director Of Photography duties.
With a budget of around US $17 million, this picture has been described as the most expensive home movie ever made.
Noel Marshall was attacked by wild cats so many times during production that he eventually developed gangrene. In one incident, he was clawed by a cheetah while protecting the animals during a bushfire in 1979. All of the animals were evacuated. It took several years for him to recover from his injuries.
The production filming schedule ended up taking four years to complete principal photography.