Rogue Lion

Although this production, filmed on location in South Africa prior to its fall into misrule, periodically segues into a faunalogue, there is yet a great deal of substance to be found in the screenplay of Chris Dresser to sustain one's interest, including disparate methods of capturing animals for containment in wildlife reserves, the continual problem of poaching, dangers when confronting feral beasts and a romantic relationship successfully brought to the fore amid many personality conflicts, as the story follows a young ranger employed by the nation's wildlife service (Brian O'Shaughnessy) who must deal with all of these mentioned circumstances during a pleasing adventure melodrama capably directed by cinematographer Sven Persson.

If there was indeed a "Rogue Lion" somewhere in this picture, I must have missed it; otherwise, apparently it was a metaphor for the ultra-conservative ranger (Brian O'Shaughnessy) reluctantly welcoming the assistance of newly appointed junior ranger (Bruce Millar), considered a radical for introducing O'Shaughnessy to 20th Century methods of containing animals in safari reservations.

While there's one (singular) attempted lion attack in the movie, the most damage to anyone is actually inflicted by a crocodile, while a hippo overturns a dinghy and threatens the occupants. Principally, it's a drama about O'Shaughnessy's efforts at conservation, to the extent that he neglects his beautiful wife (Hooper) and develops a reputation amongst locals as an indifferent man, concerned only with the welfare of animals. Of course the boyishly charming Millar is the diametrical opposite, and while the two form a co-operative relationship early on, they learn to adjust to one another's methods and personalities through several on-the-job experiences.

Victor Melleny is the bane of their existence, being both the nuisance poacher O'Shaughnessy has being trying to catch, and the father of Millar's college girlfriend (Ziegler), a relationship he hopes to rekindle. Familiar faces Ken Gampu (as O'Shaughnessy's ranger sidekick) and Simon Sabela (as the local witch doctor) also appear in supporting roles. Mildly entertaining, almost family fare, the characterisations contain substance and some of the stunt-work is commendable; having said that, if you've arrived expecting something akin to "Savage Harvest", you'll be disappointed as the title is a blatant misnomer.