Pride Ruler at Risk

Pride Ruler at Risk

2016 · 44 min · ★ 8.0 · Documentary

Only few big cats have been as intensively studied as lions. We thought we knew everything about them. Yet some parts of their lives kept hidden in the dark. Cameras follow two prides and their respective females by day and by night, revealing astonishing behavioral patterns of Africa's largest lions. Symbols of courage and power, lions have been intensively researched for many decades. While hardly a single facet of their lives has gone unnoticed, certain things have remained hidden. Thanks to thermal imaging cameras, this two-part series reveals the last secrets of Africa's largest wild cats. We follow two prides in Southern Kenya and their respective females by day and by night, discovering astonishing behavioral patterns. Lean times face the animals as the huge wildebeest herds, which, until now have supplied the young families with ample food, are migrating south to the Serengeti. We will watch the daily struggle for survival as these mothers risk everything in order to rear ...

Directed by Reinhard Radke · Written by Reinhard Radke

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Streaming

Rent or Buy

Cast

Colin Solman Narrator (voice)

Make it a double feature

1h 27m together

Pride Ruler at Risk

The Hyena Clan

Both from Reinhard Radke.

More from Reinhard RadkeSee all →

Brotherhood of Lions

Brotherhood of Lions · 2024

Brotherhood of Lions

SeriesDocumentary

A story of the daily lives and struggles of five young lions in the Black Rock region of Kenya’s Masai Mara reserve. Born in 2017, the lions were given names by the Masai people to suit their personalities: Olumina, the lame one, is the most sexually active but has difficulty walking. Olosiadu, the stay-behind, is cautious and often isolates himself. Lorkulup, the tag-along, has a permanent runny nose that hinders him from hunting with his brothers. Orpadan, the hunter, is always in the lead and first to their prey. Oloborr, the sister-killer, is the strongest male and the boss of the group

Europe: A Natural History

Europe: A Natural History · 2005

Europe: A Natural History

SeriesDocumentary

A series chronicling the events which shaped the continent of Europe as we now know it.

The Hyena Clan

The Hyena Clan · 2021

MovieDocumentary

Spotted hyenas are known to not have the best reputation. Sociobiologically, spotted hyenas are extremely interesting animals. They live in tightly organized packs, clans of related females with their young and immigrant males. The rules of their hierarchy seem brutal to us, but hyenas have good reasons to submit to these harsh rules

Lion Brothers

Lion Brothers · 2023

SeriesDocumentary

The Leopardess

The Leopardess · 2020

MovieDocumentary

Leopards are considered to be extremely shy big cats. Only a few animals can match the elegance of these feline predators. The cautious hunters are rarely seen in the wild for more than a few seconds. The cats can be observed more extensively when they rest asleep in a tree and recover from the mostly nocturnal hunt. But a leopardess has switched to hunting in broad daylight. Its home along the brook bed of the Olare Orok offers everything a mother needs to protect and nourish its offspring: picturesque rocks and dense bush, a landscape in which the big cat can disappear in seconds to sneak up on potential prey, which includes warthogs and antelopes. But hyenas and lions are always ready to contest for its territory and nourishment. The renowned wildlife filmmaker Reinhard Radke managed to capture astonishing insights into the social life and hunting tactics of the ambush hunters in the Maasai Mara.

Cheetah Mom

Cheetah Mom · 2013

MovieDocumentary

A documentary about a young cheetah mother trying to keep her offspring alive on the African Savannah.

Die fünf Geparde - Gemeinsam durch die Serengeti

Die fünf Geparde - Gemeinsam durch die Serengeti · 2019

Die fünf Geparde - Gemeinsam durch die Serengeti

MovieDocumentary

Serengeti

Serengeti · 2011

MovieDocumentary

Main subject of Serengeti is the mass migration of wildebeest , which in search of nutritious grass hundreds of kilometers annually by the savannah draw. At the end of the rainy season, they break into a huge herd of over a million animals on the north. The wildebeest and other animals are joining the migration, as zebras and gazelles , continuously exposed to hazards, particularly by predators such as lions and cheetahs . A highlight of the great migration, the crossing of the Mara is: There, the wildebeest have to overcome not only meter high cliffs, they are also crocodiles delivered. With the onset of the rainy season, however, leave the wildebeest north again what had long been a mystery. The reason for this is that the grass in the north a phosphorus deficiency , and said thus wildebeest forces to retreat to the south.

Lions versus Hyenas

Lions versus Hyenas · 2021

Lions versus Hyenas

MovieDocumentary

For carnivores a few bites of nutrient-rich meat can last you for days, so it's worth putting in a lot of effort and taking a certain amount of risk. All predators are therefore inherently in competition. With this in mind, it's no surprise that lions and spotted hyenas aren't exactly "best friends"! Lions and hyenas have a fundamental problem with each other that goes far beyond “normal competition”: both hunt the same prey in the same habitat and are therefore each other's fiercest evolutionary rivals. And because both are very powerful in combat - each in their own way - this competition is always latently deadly. The stuff that dramas are made of...

Lions - Mothers' Fight for Survival

Lions - Mothers' Fight for Survival · 2016

Lions - Mothers' Fight for Survival

MovieDocumentary

The lens of Reinhard Radke follows a group of lionesses in southern Kenya that risk it all to save their young as a food shortage threatens the pride.

Crocodiles - The Private Life of Primeaval Reptiles

Crocodiles - The Private Life of Primeaval Reptiles · 2011

Crocodiles - The Private Life of Primeaval Reptiles

MovieDocumentary

The documentary shows new, unique pictures of crocodiles in Tansania, portraying the beauty of the wild reptiles.

Lions Rule

Lions Rule · 2020

MovieDocumentary

The Lion, Africa’s ultimate predator. They’re known as the kings of the jungle yet their homeland is an open grassland rather than rainforest. In the African plains prey-rich real estate can be hard to come by, and lions work together to ensure no one claims their territory and usurps their crown

Gepardenmutter

Gepardenmutter · 2012

MovieDocumentary

Cheetahs may be the world's fastest land predators, but their existence is precarious, especially for females giving birth for the first time. Will she ensure the survival of her offspring?

Regime of the Queen

Regime of the Queen · 2018

Regime of the Queen

MovieDocumentary

An exploration of the feline motherhood world. The lion is king, but the lioness holds the true power behind the scenes.

Africa's Hunters of the Night

Africa's Hunters of the Night · 2022

Africa's Hunters of the Night

MovieDocumentary

The hunters of Africa come out of their hiding places at night. They slept most of the time during the day to avoid the heat. But now their time has come. They are equipped with “super senses” that enable them to find their prey in complete darkness while staying invisible themselves. Lions, leopards and hyenas are the ultimate rulers of the night, but they all have different hunting strategies. Leopards sneak up to their prey like phantoms and attack in the last moment, while lions try to ambush their next meal and take it down as a team. Hyenas are long distance athletes and hunt their victims to exhaustion. All of this would be left in the dark, if not for extremely light sensitive lenses and thermal cameras. Thanks to this modern technique, we are able to get a unique view into the secret world of Africa’s hunters of the night.

Lions: Africa's Super Power

Lions: Africa's Super Power · 2020

Lions: Africa's Super Power

MovieDocumentary

The endless plains of East Africa is lion country. An abundance of food and water make this a paradise for lions. The most social of all cats, lions form prides that are unlike any other animals. Together, they’ll hunt, raise their young and defend their territory. Life on the plains is never easy, but lions can always count on the power of the pride

More Like This

Koyaanisqatsi

Koyaanisqatsi · 1983

MovieDocumentaryMusic

Takes us to locations all around the US and shows us the heavy toll that modern technology is having on humans and the earth. The visual tone poem contains neither dialogue nor a vocalized narration: its tone is set by the juxtaposition of images and the exceptional music by Philip Glass.

Deep Blue

Deep Blue · 2003

MovieDocumentary

Deep Blue is a major documentary feature film shot by the BBC Natural History Unit. An epic cinematic rollercoaster ride for all ages, Deep Blue uses amazing footage to tell us the story of our oceans and the life they support.

The Living Desert

The Living Desert · 1953

The Living Desert

MovieDocumentary

Although first glance reveals little more than stones and sand, the desert is alive. Witness moving rocks, spitting mud pots, gorgeous flowers and the never-ending battle for survival between desert creatures of every shape, size and description.

Dolphin Reef

Dolphin Reef · 2018

MovieDocumentaryFamily

Echo is a youngster who can't quite decide if it's time to grow up and take on new responsibilities-or give in to her silly side and just have fun. Dolphin society is tricky, and the coral reef that Echo and his family call home depends on all of its inhabitants to keep it healthy. But Echo has a tough time resisting the many adventures the ocean has to offer.

Winged Migration

Winged Migration · 2001

Winged Migration

MovieDocumentary

This documentary follows various migratory bird species on their long journeys from their summer homes to the equator and back, covering thousands of miles and navigating by the stars. These arduous treks are crucial for survival, seeking hospitable climates and food sources. Birds face numerous challenges, including crossing oceans and evading predators, illness, and injury. Although migrations are undertaken as a community, birds disperse into family units once they reach their destinations, and every continent is affected by these migrations, hosting migratory bird species at least part of the year.

Dancing with the Birds

Dancing with the Birds · 2019

Dancing with the Birds

MovieDocumentary

Some of the world's most majestic birds display delightfully captivating mating rituals, from flashy dancing to flaunting their colorful feathers.

More on Prime VideoSee all →

The Runner

The Runner · 2026

Maia Marten, a brilliant London lawyer, has her life shattered by a single call on her morning run: her son has been taken. To get him back, she must keep running, obey every ruthless command, and trust no one-each second a test of how far a mother will go to save her child.

The Last Sunrise

The Last Sunrise · 2026

The Last Sunrise

MovieRomanceDrama

Ry, a college student with a chronic illness, escapes to Mallorca for the summer with her mother, where she unexpectedly falls for a local and begins to embrace living in the moment. But as her condition worsens and long-hidden family secrets come to light, everything she has found before summer's end is threatened.

War of the Worlds

War of the Worlds · 2025

War of the Worlds

MovieScience FictionThriller

Will Radford is a top analyst for Homeland Security who tracks potential threats through a mass surveillance program, until one day an attack by an unknown entity leads him to question whether the government is hiding something from him... and from the rest of the world.

Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe · 2026

Masters of the Universe

MovieActionFantasy

After being separated for 15 years, the Sword of Power leads Prince Adam back to Eternia, where he discovers his home shattered under the fiendish rule of Skeletor. To save his family and his world, Adam must join forces with his closest allies, Teela and Duncan/Man-At-Arms, and embrace his true destiny as He-Man — the most powerful man in the universe.

Barreda

Barreda · 2026

MovieDramaCrime

A fictionalized drama film based on one of the most shocking crimes in Argentina's history. In 1992, Ricardo Barreda was an unassuming dentist, brutally murdered his wife, mother-in-law, and two adult daughters in their family home. Branding himself as a victim, Ricardo Barreda ignited a media storm and fueled a national scandal.

The Sheep Detectives

The Sheep Detectives · 2026

The Sheep Detectives

MovieComedyFamily

George Hardy is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can't possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

The Devil's Mouth

The Devil's Mouth · 2026

The Devil's Mouth

MovieHorrorThriller

A group of college friends' Thailand adventure turns deadly when they become trapped in submerged caves with a dangerous predator. As oxygen runs low, past conflicts emerge in their desperate fight for survival.

Crime 101

Crime 101 · 2026

MovieCrimeThriller

When an elusive thief whose high-stakes heists unfold along the iconic 101 freeway in Los Angeles eyes the score of a lifetime, with hopes of this being his final job, his path collides with a disillusioned insurance broker who is facing her own crossroads. Determined to crack the case, a relentless detective closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher.

My Fault

My Fault · 2023

MovieDramaRomance

Noah must leave her city, boyfriend, and friends to move into William Leister's mansion, the flashy and wealthy husband of her mother Rafaela. As a proud and independent 17 year old, Noah resists living in a mansion surrounded by luxury. However, it is there where she meets Nick, her new stepbrother, and the clash of their strong personalities becomes evident from the very beginning.

The Wrecking Crew

The Wrecking Crew · 2026

The Wrecking Crew

MovieActionComedy

Estranged half-brothers Jonny and James reunite after their father's mysterious death. As they search for the truth, buried secrets reveal a conspiracy threatening to tear their family apart.

Vengeance

Vengeance · 2026

MovieActionThriller

The brutal murder of the wife of “Toro,” a military hero in the special forces, turns him into a man with a single purpose: revenge. After a stroke of fate makes him a millionaire, Carlos transforms his fortune into an arsenal and, together with his closest soldiers, sets out to hunt down those responsible.

Red One

Red One · 2024

MovieActionAdventure

After Santa Claus (codename: Red One) is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security must team up with the world's most infamous tracker in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War · 2026

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War

MovieActionThriller

Jack Ryan is reluctantly pulled back into espionage when an international covert mission unravels a deadly conspiracy. Racing against time, he joins CIA allies Mike November & James Greer and sharp MI6 officer Emma Marlowe to battle a rogue black-ops unit in a high-stakes, deeply personal fight.

Blade Runner

Blade Runner · 1982

MovieScience FictionDrama

In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.

Road House

Road House · 2024

MovieActionThriller

Ex-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.

Jurassic World

Jurassic World · 2015

MovieAdventureScience Fiction

Twenty-two years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond.

Over Your Dead Body

Over Your Dead Body · 2026

Over Your Dead Body

MovieActionComedy

A dysfunctional couple head to a remote cabin to "reconnect", but each has secret intentions to kill the other.

Our Fault

Our Fault · 2025

MovieRomanceDrama

Jenna and Lion's wedding brings about the long-awaited reunion between Noah and Nick after their breakup. Nick's inability to forgive Noah stands as an insurmountable barrier. He, heir to his grandfather's businesses, and she, starting her professional life, resist fueling a flame that's still alive. But now that their paths have crossed again, will love be stronger than resentment?

Pretty Lethal

Pretty Lethal · 2026

MovieActionThriller

A troupe of ballerinas find themselves fighting for survival as they attempt to escape from a remote inn after their bus breaks down on the way to a dance competition.

Your Fault

Your Fault · 2024

MovieDramaRomance

The love between Noah and Nick seems unwavering despite their parents' attempts to separate them. But his job and her entry into college open up their lives to new relationships that will shake the foundations of both their relationship and the Leister family itself.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter