The African Lion
After the scene where the rhino was stuck in the mud was shot, the filming team rescued the animal, but it charged at them after being freed.,[first lines]
Narrator: From ancient times, the great landmass of Africa has been called the dark continent. The name came from the early map makers. They knew so little of this unexplored region, they left it a blank on their charts. For centuries it remained a land of mystery, for Africa - like an ancient fortress - was surrounded by natural barriers that kept civilization out. Across the north, a vast desert: the impassible Sahara. On the west, a dense jungle; a wall of tangled underbrush along the Congo. In the south, an arid bush country. And on the eastern shore, fever ridden swamps became a barricade to all who would invade this land. In time of course, explorers penetrated nature's blockade; and in the dark heart of Africa, they found a primitive paradise. It was neither desert nor jungle, but a broad plain broken by forests, deep lakes, and towering peaks. The dominating landmark is the highest mountain on the continent. It stands practically on the equator. This is Mount Kilimanjaro, rising 19,000 feet into the African sky. Its crest - thrusting through the clouds - wears a permanent mantel of snow. Here in its shadow, our story begins, for this is the realm of the African lion.,Edited into The Magical World of Disney: His Majesty, King of the Beasts (1958),Feature length documentary, part of Disney's True-Life Adventure series.

This was the best reviewed of the series – both at the time of it's release and in more recently reviews - and it really is quite good. While the music is over-the-top, and some of the narration is a bit Disney 'cute', a lot of the narration is really informative, and a lot of the wildlife photography is amazing, especially considering when it was done.

It's not really about Lions as much as the whole African world they lord over. There's some footage of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and a locust swarm that's flat out breathtaking.

NB: On the same disc is 'Bear Country', an Oscar winning 30 min short.,