Customer Reviews

National Geographic's Lions of Darkness [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is absolutuely amazing video made by two tf the greatest wildlife filmakers in the world, Derek and Beverly Joubert. I strongly recommend it to anyone.It is informative and moving.

I think the reviewer that said this film was about bugs got his tapes mixed up, because there is nothing about insects in this film at all. The documentary follows a pride of lions, particularly a young male that was born late and became orphaned. His story is intriguing enough to base a film on, but we also witness an old lion desperately trying to cling to the life he once had, and the intricate process of raising a cub. The only reason I gave this documentary four stars is because it ends rather abruptly, leaving the viewer wondering what happened to the male cub and his fellow pride-mates. Another twelve minutes would have done this film some good, although I was thoroughly satisfied with my purchase...(from a rival company...sorry Amazon...I'll never do it again...you guys were cheaper anyway!!)

Dereck and Beverly Joubert have created a masterpiece that is wonderfully enigmatic and at the same time shockingly real. Discover the African savanna with Tao and his mother Leboni. Get to know three magnificent males in their prime, Zedidi - the cold one, Tonah - the big one and Eniatsi - the lover. Suffer with Tao as heyenas cause the death of his mother and sister, feel sad as he is left a orphen in a cold and hostile land, and then, cry when he is unable to keep up with the pride and is left behind for two nights... Laugh with him when he is reunited with his pride. Go with him through the hard times of loneliness, when the only comfort he can get is from the males, especially Zedidi. Growing and learning he soon finds himself as a sub-adult and no longer welcome in the midst of the three kings. At last he is driven away, even by his constant companion Zedidi, watch as he stands on the threshold of greatness. Wave him goodbye as he sets out on his own glorious destiny. A definite MUST see for "lion-people".

Lions Of Darkness is a very good documentary, and it would be nice if Nat Geo, up-graded it to Blue-ray. It is one of the more detailed stories of Lion survival in the African jungle by a pride of lions. The story line is very interesting, and entertaining. This movie has been out for awhile, but is more detailed than the current movies made today on the subject of lions.

It's good enough for Nat Geo, to seriously consider, upgrading this unto Blue-ray. This movie shows lion take-over of other prides, young male lions being driven out of the pride because they are now old enough to take care of themselves and pose a threat, and a future challenge, to the male lions already in control of the pride. I enjoyed the story of Tao, the youngest lion in the pride, 6 months younger than the rest, and the last to be ousted from the pride, after he was old enough to fend for himself. This movie is on DVD, and looks acceptable during an up-scaling from a blue-ray player. But would look even better in 1080p.

This documentary has stayed with me for ten years. It's a heart-rendering portrayal of life in the wilderness, the struggle to survive and the fight to dominate. Beautifully photographed, it pulls no punches as it follows a pride of lions through brith and death. It's both grim and gorgeous (and contrary to what one reviewer posted, there is no frog or bug filler in this program.

One of the top two National Geographic documentaries. Not quite as good as Eternal Enemies. Beverly and Derek Joubert are unbelievable film makers and for a true lion fan, this documentary won't disappoint!

This is one of the best National Geographic videos to date. The footage, content and filmmaker's narration is outstanding. The story of a motherless lion cub growing up in a pride is one of the best real-life dramas I've seen. It takes a viewer into the world otherwise unseen and inexperienced by a human. A viewer has glimpses of the every day life in the pride of lions. Joubert's film portrays the hunts, the roles of males and females in the pride, the struggle for survival, interaction between pride members and other inhabitants of Savuti. Another great film from Derek and Beverly!

Lion's king is very stron

This is a good movie if you want to learn the basics about Lions. If you need specific behaviors about them, buy something else. I watched this for an Animal Behavior class and I needed to do alot of extra research to find specifics. Overall a good movie!

This is not The Lion King: it is a grim, unsanitized look at life in the wild. The old lion's tail rots off, and they show it. (A great commentary about how the elderly are treated in the wild.) The other reviewers forgot that Tau's other sibling was almost devoured alive by a mongoose. After Tau's mother's death, he's treated as a mobile toy by the larger cubs. Yes, the teasing is shown - good to see that children in the wild are equally heartless as those on the playground. I received this as a birthday gift from my fiance. Please, DO NOT send this to your girlfriend, even if she thinks of you as "her lion", unless she is _really_ into this sort of thing. Or you really are trying to send her a message that it's over. It is not in the least romantic, nor is it meant to be. A well made movie, but all I could think while watching it was, "This is grim." I repeatedly said this aloud, even though I was the only one in the room and sober.