The African Lion (1955)

About The African Lion

"The African Lion" is a seminal documentary film released in 1955 and directed by James Algar. Known for its raw presentation of the African wilderness, the film documents various African fauna's lifestyle and survival strategies. There aren't specifically identified actors portraying characters, as the film focuses on animal life rather than human narratives.

Making / Production

The film was a part of Disney's True-Life Adventure series showcasing wildlife. This installment was shot over a lengthy three-year period across multiple African locations. Challenges were significant during its production due to the unpredictable nature of wildlife and the harsh African terrain.

Actors

• Narrator: Winston Hibler - Providing voice-over narration with dramatic flair, Winston Hibler vividly describes the action on screen, making the film decipherable and entertaining for the audience.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The filming lasted for over 30 months, which was quite long for a documentary at that time.
• The crew lived mostly in a tent during production, dealing with extreme weather conditions and wildlife encounters.
• The film was the first of Disney’s nature documentaries to be released in Cinemascope.

Awards

The African Lion was not specifically awarded, although it became quite popular among audiences due to its adventurous and daring representation of raw African wilderness.

Quotes

• "Here in this land of stark contrast, where death walks hand in hand with life, each day becomes an adventure and each adventure a test of living." - Narrator
• "First, they must learn survival in a land where it seems everything has horns, hooves, or claws." - Narrator

Music, Soundtrack

• Paul Smith was the main composer of the film's score. The music perfectly complements the narration and visuals, effectively capturing the ambiance of the African wilderness.