Walking with Lions - Region 2 DVD

“This is the story of a spring in a remote corner of the Zambezi Valley in northern Zimbabwe – it attracts thousands of thirst-driven animals to slake their thirst, but it is surrounded by a pride of lions...... ”

During northern Zimbabwe’s eight-month dry season, temperatures can reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius). In this remote corner of the Zambezi Valley, a bustling spring offers the only source of water for many miles. But to satisfy their thirst, herds of buffalo, antelope, and other wildlife must face another threat: a pride of 12 lions that have claimed the spring as their hunting ground.

Walking With Lions is more than just another wildlife documentary about lions. Husband and wife filmmaking team Phil and Lynne Richardson lived with their 18-month-old daughter at this watering hole amongst lions, elephants, and baboons in the African bush.

Lynne and Phil spent four seasons in the field filming. It took time to habituate the lions, to a certain degree. You can never really habituate a wild animal. But the animals tolerated their presence enough to allow them to film. As long as you do not go beyond the lions’ safety zone.

What is unique about this documentary is that the filming is done out of the vehicles. It’s done by foot, even though lions are very dangerous animals, to capture the life-and-death dramas close-up. With skilled trackers at their side, the Richardsons forsake the safety of vehicles to get close to the action - sometimes too close for comfort.

Phil and Lynne decided to film the wildlife on foot because this particular spring was surrounded by a gorge and impossible to reach by vehicle. This spring was the only source of water for miles around, and one pride of lions had made this their home - an ambush site for wildlife that come to the spring to drink.

By using standard lights at night, the Richardsons felt that they were not seeing the animals behave naturally. They decided to use infrared lights and infrared cameras. Phil designed special plates for the cameras and stands for the lights. Everything was remote-controlled. They had to walk to the camera locations and position themselves behind a blind, with only a flap of canvas separating them from the wildlife.

On one occasion the Richardsons were charged by the lions, when they accidentally stumbled upon the lion pride. The camera crew says: “We were charged by the lions, as well, when we were filming them. Lynne and Phil had found a lion cub, and the pride was very protective of it. The lions started to surround us very slowly. We were almost completely surrounded, but we managed to back away. That’s the chance you take filming on foot and in the wild. It was quite a frightening experience.”

Narrated by Michael Carroll.

Produced by Lynne & Phil Richardson for National Geographic.

Reviews:

“The lion cubs in this film are gorgeous! I have not seen another lion film where the film makers have got so close to the young ones. Yes, there’s blood and gore (which you’d expect in any lion film) but what this film’s got is a brilliant script. The lions have names and we see the complete lifecycle of the pride members. The film is captivating, intense and feels very ‘real’ – it’s like being there yourself. Very enjoyable and highly recommended. Walking With Lions gets my vote for ‘Wildlife Film of the Year’!”

“Probably the best, most graphic wildlife video out there when it comes to lions in their natural environment. It captures the many actual encounters with the other wildlife, showing a lot of the battles as they are taking place. I would highly recommend this to nature buffs who can handle graphic and violent content of lions doing battle. For a true lion fan, this documentary is one of the best”.

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http://www.froghopperdvds.co.uk/walkingwithlions