Le lion blanc de la vallée de Limpopo

I eagerly awaited the arrival of the DVD, so I could watch the movie Kevin Richardson had been talking about in a documentary. I thought: this will be great.

Indeed, some of the shots were magnificent. They would have been great in a documentary. However, the narrator of this film speaks in such a soporific tone I found the whole movie extremely boring. If they would have chosen a different narrator, or would not have let the narrator tell the whole story, but instead would have let the characters actually play more of the story than only the last 20 minutes, this whole movie could have been so much better, and they wouldn't have had to try and make it look exciting by letting the children react certain ways. These reactions were not very convincing, by the way, nor is any of the acting, which is of elementary school level. The music is fine, but seems like a waste, since the movie is so stodgy.

After 70 minutes, it feels like the introduction is still going on and the story still has to start. Still, hardly any connection has been made between the two main characters, Gisani and Letsatsi. Finally, the narrator shuts up at times, which means the movie starts to show some progression. Still, it stays rather boring.

In the end, this movie will not make anyone enthusiastic for saving the lion or any wildlife. It will only make people think wildlife is boring.

'Can't seem to be getting enough of these lion movies. Just a couple of months ago I had watched the delightful 'African Cats' and tonight, saw 'White Lion'. Shot beautifully through South Africa, it's quite apparent how much effort the film took. Kevin Richardson really wanted to make this film even though the odds were against it. His love for lions is obvious and his determination to get 'White Lion' made has paid off. On the flip side, the direction is flawed. There are some continuity problems. The narration is occasionally interrupted when the film returns to the present day sequences of the storyteller and the children. The score is quite generic and the acting by the supporting cast, especially the 'prize' hunter is awful. In spite of this, thanks to Janet Van Eeden and Ivan Milborrow's writing that the story, even though a bit predictable and sometimes resorting to clichés, has heart and it holds your attention as you follow young Letsatsi through his journey. The lions who play Letsatsi (there are more than a dozen) do a great job. Moreover, the visuals of the raw African landscape are simply breathtaking. There are some visuals that have been amazingly shot. One wonders how the cameraman achieved these images as they're very difficult to obtain but he did it. All in all, I enjoyed 'White Lion' and wouldn't mind seeing it again.

For the most part I enjoyed this movie very much. It is worth watching for the scenery alone (the visuals are easily worth 9/10). There are several areas where the retouched colors and CGI sky is blatantly obvious but it adds a larger-than-life feel to the savanna.

The story, unfortunately, is a mismatching of a folk tale and a Nat Geo documentary. The voice over technique works well enough but the narrator abruptly stops to interact with his audience. This causes the story to jerk between scenes. At the end of 90 minutes I felt like I had been watching for several hours... and not in a good way. Still, it is a tale of courage, strength, and loyalty, and the intended audience (kids) should enjoy it.

Note for parents: as I mentioned, "White Lion" plays a bit like a documentary; there is some raw footage in this film including lions' eating habits and territorial disputes. The themes of death and loss are also touched a few times, albeit briefly. You will want to watch this movie with your little ones so you can explain things to them. (Kids 12+ should have no trouble with it.) I will watch it with my 10-yr-old nieces to reinforce their studies, but the 4-yr-old will have to stick with Dora the Explorer for now.

This is a sweet movie aimed towards a younger audience but can be enjoyed by adults.

It follows the exploits of a white lion cub as it grows up to be a king of the jungle. Initially rejected by his pride because of his skin color (notice the hidden anti racism message) he soon moves location and befriends another big cat who is later shot by a hunter. Tragedy seems to follow him as his brother dies also early on. The interesting extras on the DVD show how it was made using heaps of lion cubs. Apparently white cub lions are quite common. Children will love some of the footage and enjoy the exploits and message behind the movie. If you get a chance sit down and give it a watch.

Fantastic photography and scenery. The main carácter is a great actress. A love story between a girl and her white lion.