Le lion blanc de la vallée de Limpopo

'Can't seem to be getting enough of these lion movies. Just a couple of months ago I had watched the delightful 'African Cats' and tonight, saw 'White Lion'. Shot beautifully through South Africa, it's quite apparent how much effort the film took. Kevin Richardson really wanted to make this film even though the odds were against it. His love for lions is obvious and his determination to get 'White Lion' made has paid off. On the flip side, the direction is flawed. There are some continuity problems. The narration is occasionally interrupted when the film returns to the present day sequences of the storyteller and the children. The score is quite generic and the acting by the supporting cast, especially the 'prize' hunter is awful. In spite of this, thanks to Janet Van Eeden and Ivan Milborrow's writing that the story, even though a bit predictable and sometimes resorting to clichés, has heart and it holds your attention as you follow young Letsatsi through his journey. The lions who play Letsatsi (there are more than a dozen) do a great job. Moreover, the visuals of the raw African landscape are simply breathtaking. There are some visuals that have been amazingly shot. One wonders how the cameraman achieved these images as they're very difficult to obtain but he did it. All in all, I enjoyed 'White Lion' and wouldn't mind seeing it again.

WHITE LION 4.8/10 rated PG runtime 90 minutes A labor of love shot over the course of several years, this is, unfortunately, a noble failure. The movie is built around the incredible rapport that Kevin Richardson (the producer) has with animals, particularly lions. This makes for scenes and camera shots that would have been difficult if not impossible for others to do. The problem with the movie is that it is dreadfully slow and somewhat clichéd as well. Gorgeous scenery is offset by continuity problems with the featured lions, who change in appearance markedly between shots, and a stodgy, uninspired film score adds to the woes. John Kani, who is a revered actor in South Africa, narrates the story in a soporific style that underlines the dragging pace of the movie as a whole.

When one thinks of Jean-Jacques Annaud's film The Bear, which is also a story of a young animal fighting for survival, one realizes just how far White Lion was from being the movie that this investment of time and effort deserved. If you do happen to watch this movie on DVD, though, make sure to check the special features: the sight of Kevin playing with his lion friends is just awe-inspiring, and the obvious affection that the lions have for him touching.

I eagerly awaited the arrival of the DVD, so I could watch the movie Kevin Richardson had been talking about in a documentary. I thought: this will be great.

Indeed, some of the shots were magnificent. They would have been great in a documentary. However, the narrator of this film speaks in such a soporific tone I found the whole movie extremely boring. If they would have chosen a different narrator, or would not have let the narrator tell the whole story, but instead would have let the characters actually play more of the story than only the last 20 minutes, this whole movie could have been so much better, and they wouldn't have had to try and make it look exciting by letting the children react certain ways. These reactions were not very convincing, by the way, nor is any of the acting, which is of elementary school level. The music is fine, but seems like a waste, since the movie is so stodgy.

After 70 minutes, it feels like the introduction is still going on and the story still has to start. Still, hardly any connection has been made between the two main characters, Gisani and Letsatsi. Finally, the narrator shuts up at times, which means the movie starts to show some progression. Still, it stays rather boring.

In the end, this movie will not make anyone enthusiastic for saving the lion or any wildlife. It will only make people think wildlife is boring.

Fantastic photography and scenery. The main carácter is a great actress. A love story between a girl and her white lion.

This is a sweet movie aimed towards a younger audience but can be enjoyed by adults.

It follows the exploits of a white lion cub as it grows up to be a king of the jungle. Initially rejected by his pride because of his skin color (notice the hidden anti racism message) he soon moves location and befriends another big cat who is later shot by a hunter. Tragedy seems to follow him as his brother dies also early on. The interesting extras on the DVD show how it was made using heaps of lion cubs. Apparently white cub lions are quite common. Children will love some of the footage and enjoy the exploits and message behind the movie. If you get a chance sit down and give it a watch.