Leonard Maltin calls "The African Lion" the best of Disney's True-Life Adventures, but, after having seen a few of them lately, I do not agree. If anything, it proves that the African lion is just too damn lazy to center an entire movie around, so the filmmakers make it just one part in the gallery of animals they examine. The first half is too leisurely, even ponderous, but the second does have some amazing footage and exciting action. Perhaps none more impressive than the "locust blizzard" at the end. **1/2 out of 4.

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.

Really a superb nature documentary, a captivating watch. I can't think of a better film on the wild kingdom. Why isn't this available on video? This is not specifically a film about lions as it's title implies, this is a film about the African wild, untouched, with fascinating looks at the life and times a full variety of species including elephants, rhino's, giraffes, antelope, monkeys, leopards, and more.. Near the beginning, the narrator says; "This is Africa, The Lions Realm.." which would have been a more appropriate title. The film covers a lot of different species, and it does so in a way that enables the viewer to both absorb specific insights into the daily existence of individual creatures, while at the same time experience the essence of the wild as a whole.Now admittedly, I love nature and wildlife type shows; and my opinion is that this production made over 50 years ago, is amongst kings of nature films.

Disney documentary is one superb piece of work! Chronicles wildlife in Africa, centering on the King of the Beasts but also includes fascinating glimpses of rhinos, hippos, vultures, and even locusts(whose swarm is vividly captured). Three years in the making, film is an excellent primer for curious children, also terrifically entertaining for the adults.