The Lion

The Lion

"He'd tear you to pieces if I gave the word."

1962 · 96 min · ★ 5.6 · Drama, Adventure

Young Tina lives with her mother and stepfather on a wildlife reserve in Kenya. While her stepfather believes this is a wonderful environment for her to grow up in, her mother becomes increasingly concerned by her behaviour. These concerns are reinforced when it is revealed that her daughter's best friend in the whole world is a fully grown lion. Worried that her daughter may be turning into a savage, she sends for her former husband, Tina's biological father, in the hope that he can take her back to civilization (in this case rural Connecticut). But it seems as though Tina's mother wants something more than a civilized upbringing for her daughter.

Directed by Jack Cardiff · Written by Irene Kamp

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Cast

William Holden Robert Hayward
Trevor Howard John Bullit
Capucine Christine
Pamela Franklin Tina
Zamba King

Make it a double feature

3h 31m together

The Lion

The Vikings

Both from Jack Cardiff.

More from Jack CardiffSee all →

The Red Shoes

The Red Shoes · 1948

MovieDramaRomance

A fledgling ballerina falls in love with a brilliant composer, but the jealous head of the ballet company plots to drive them apart.

A Matter of Life and Death

A Matter of Life and Death · 1946

A Matter of Life and Death

MovieRomanceFantasy

A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl.

Black Narcissus

Black Narcissus · 1947

Black Narcissus

A group of Anglican nuns, led by Sister Clodagh, are sent to a mountain in the Himalayas. The climate in the region is hostile and the nuns are housed in an odd old palace. They work to establish a school and a hospital, but slowly their focus shifts. Sister Ruth falls for a government worker, Mr. Dean, and begins to question her vow of celibacy. As Sister Ruth obsesses over Mr. Dean, Sister Clodagh becomes immersed in her own memories of love.

The Far Pavilions

The Far Pavilions · 1984

The Far Pavilions

SeriesDramaAction & Adventure

Adapted from M.M. Kaye's best-selling novel, this dramatic HBO miniseries follows two star-crossed lovers -- the young British officer Ash (Ben Cross) and the betrothed princess Anjuli (Amy Irving) -- as they face daunting odds in their quest to be together. Set in India during the time of the British Raj, this haunting (and BAFTA-nominated) love story features spectacular scenery and an epic saga of battle, treachery and intrigue.

The African Queen

The African Queen · 1952

The African Queen

MovieAdventureRomance

At the start of the First World War, in the middle of Africa’s nowhere, a gin soaked riverboat captain is persuaded by a strong-willed missionary to go down river and face-off a German warship.

A Bridge Too Far

A Bridge Too Far · 1977

A Bridge Too Far

MovieDramaHistory

The story of Operation Market Garden—a failed attempt by the allies in the latter stages of WWII to end the war quickly by securing three bridges in Holland allowing access over the Rhine into Germany. A combination of poor allied intelligence and the presence of two crack German panzer divisions meant that the final part of this operation (the bridge in Arnhem over the Rhine) was doomed to failure.

Death on the Nile

Death on the Nile · 1978

Death on the Nile

As Hercule Poirot enjoys a luxurious cruise down the Nile, a newlywed heiress is found murdered on board and every elegant passenger becomes a prime suspect.

Scott of the Antarctic

Scott of the Antarctic · 1948

Scott of the Antarctic

MovieAdventureDrama

The true story of the British explorer Robert Falcon Scott and his ill-fated expedition to try to be the first man to discover the South Pole - only to find that the murderously cold weather and a rival team of Norwegian explorers conspire against him

The Vikings

The Vikings · 1958

MovieAdventureHistory

Einar, brutal son of the viking Ragnar and future heir to his throne, tangles with clever slave Eric, for the hand of a beautiful English maiden.

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman · 1951

Pandora and the Flying Dutchman

MovieRomanceDrama

Pandora Reynolds is a woman who has never fallen in love – but one who men kill and die for. When she meets dashing and mysterious ship's captain Hendrik van der Zee, he pushes her to commit the ultimate act of love.

The Barefoot Contessa

The Barefoot Contessa · 1954

The Barefoot Contessa

A washed-up filmmaker gets a second chance at stardom when he discovers stunning peasant Maria Vargas dancing in a Madrid nightclub. Goaded by his producer, the director convinces Maria to screen test for, and then star in, his next big picture. But as the producer's possessive nature and the realities of stardom weigh on Maria, she seeks a genuine lover with whom she can escape.

Cat's Eye

Cat's Eye · 1985

MovieHorrorThriller

Three short stories linked by a stray cat that roams from one tale to the next, in this creepy triptych that begins as Dick tries to quit smoking by any means necessary. Next, we meet Johnny, an adulterous man who's forced by his lover's husband onto a building's hazardous ledge. Finally, Amanda is threatened by an evil gnome who throws suspicion on the family cat.

Rambo: First Blood Part II

Rambo: First Blood Part II · 1985

Rambo: First Blood Part II

MovieActionAdventure

John Rambo is released from prison by the government for a top-secret covert mission to the last place on Earth he'd want to return - the jungles of Vietnam.

War and Peace

War and Peace · 1956

MovieWarRomance

The love story of young Countess Natasha Rostova and Count Pierre Bezukhov is interwoven with the Great Patriotic War of 1812 against Napoleon's invading army.

Dark of the Sun

Dark of the Sun · 1968

Dark of the Sun

MovieWarAdventure

A band of mercenaries led by Captain Curry travel through war-torn Congo across deadly terrain, battling rival armies, to steal $50 million in uncut diamonds. But infighting, sadistic rebels and a time lock jeopardize everything.

The Prince and the Showgirl

The Prince and the Showgirl · 1957

The Prince and the Showgirl

MovieComedyRomance

An American showgirl becomes entangled in political intrigue when the Prince Regent of a foreign country attempts to seduce her.

More Like This

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader · 2010

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

MovieAdventureFamily

This time around Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world.

Out of Africa

Out of Africa · 1985

MovieHistoryRomance

Tells the life story of Danish author Karen Blixen, who at the beginning of the 20th century moved to Africa to build a new life for herself. The film is based on her 1937 autobiographical novel.

The Lion King

The Lion King · 1994

MovieAnimationFamily

Young lion prince Simba, eager to one day become king of the Pride Lands, grows up under the watchful eye of his father Mufasa; all the while his villainous uncle Scar conspires to take the throne for himself. Amid betrayal and tragedy, Simba must confront his past and find his rightful place in the Circle of Life.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa · 2008

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

MovieAdventureAnimation

Alex, Marty, and other zoo animals find a way to escape from Madagascar when the penguins reassemble a wrecked airplane. The precariously repaired craft stays airborne just long enough to make it to the African continent. There the New Yorkers encounter members of their own species for the first time. Africa proves to be a wild place, but Alex and company wonder if it is better than their Central Park home.

The Ghost and the Darkness

The Ghost and the Darkness · 1996

The Ghost and the Darkness

MovieAdventureThriller

Sir Robert Beaumont is behind schedule on a railroad in Africa. Enlisting noted engineer John Henry Patterson to right the ship, Beaumont expects results. Everything seems great until the crew discovers the mutilated corpse of the project's foreman, seemingly killed by a lion. After several more attacks, Patterson calls in famed hunter Charles Remington, who has finally met his match in the bloodthirsty lions.

George of the Jungle

George of the Jungle · 1997

George of the Jungle

MovieAdventureComedy

Deep in the African jungle, a baby named George, the sole survivor of a plane crash, is raised by gorillas. George grows up to be a buff and lovable klutz who has a rainforest full of animal friends: Tookie, his big-beaked toucan messenger; Ape, a witty talking gorilla; and Shep, a peanut-loving pooch of an elephant. But when poachers mess with George's pals, the King of Swing swings into action.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian · 2008

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

MovieAdventureFamily

One year after their incredible adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie return to Narnia to aid a young prince whose life has been threatened by the evil King Miraz. Now, with the help of a colorful cast of new characters, including Trufflehunter the badger and Nikabrik the dwarf, the Pevensie clan embarks on an incredible quest to ensure that Narnia is returned to its rightful heir.

Zootopia

Zootopia · 2016

MovieAnimationAdventure

Determined to prove herself, Officer Judy Hopps, the first bunny on Zootopia's police force, jumps at the chance to crack her first case - even if it means partnering with scam-artist fox Nick Wilde to solve the mystery.

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz · 1939

The Wizard of Oz

MovieAdventureFantasy

Young Dorothy finds herself in a magical world where she makes friends with a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they make their way along the yellow brick road to talk with the Wizard and ask for the things they miss most in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the West is the only thing that could stop them.

Madagascar

Madagascar · 2005

MovieAdventureAnimation

Four animal friends get a taste of the wild life when they break out of captivity at the Central Park Zoo and wash ashore on the island of Madagascar.

Roar

MovieComedyAdventure

Roar follows a family who are attacked by various African animals at the secluded home of their keeper.

The White Masai

The White Masai · 2005

The White Masai

A girl, Carola, whose vacation in Kenya takes an interesting turn when she becomes infatuated with a Masai. Carola decides to leave her boyfriend to stay with her lover. There, she has to adapt to the Masai's way of life and get used to their food which includes milk mixed with blood. She also has to face her husband's attitude towards women and what he expects from a wife. Nonetheless, Carola is welcomed warmly into the tribe she has chosen to join.

The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener · 2005

The Constant Gardener

MovieDramaMystery

Justin Quayle is a low-level British diplomat who has always gone about his work very quietly, not causing any problems. But after his radical wife Tessa is killed he becomes determined to find out why, thrusting himself into the middle of a very dangerous conspiracy.

Nowhere in Africa

Nowhere in Africa · 2001

Nowhere in Africa

A Jewish woman named Jettel Redlich flees Nazi Germany with her daughter Regina, to join her husband, Walter, on a farm in Kenya. At first, Jettel refuses to adjust to her new circumstances, bringing with her a set of china dishes and an evening gown. While Regina adapts readily to this new world, forming a strong bond with her father's cook, an African named Owuor.

The Wild

The Wild · 2006

MovieActionAdventure

An adolescent lion is accidentally shipped from the New York Zoo to Africa. Now running free, his zoo pals must put aside their differences to help bring him back.

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride · 1998

The Lion King II: Simba's Pride

MovieAdventureAnimation

The circle of life continues for Simba, now fully grown and in his rightful place as the king of Pride Rock. Simba and Nala have given birth to a daughter, Kiara who's as rebellious as her father was. But Kiara drives her parents to distraction when she catches the eye of Kovu, the son of the evil lioness, Zira. Will Kovu steal Kiara's heart?

Itinerary of a Spoiled Child

Itinerary of a Spoiled Child · 1988

Itinerary of a Spoiled Child

MovieDramaAdventure

A foundling, raised in the circus, Sam Lion becomes a businessman after a trapeze accident. However, when he reaches fifty and becomes tired of his responsibilities and of his son Jean-Philippe, he decides to disappear at sea. However, he runs into Albert Duvivier, one of his former employees. He comes to realise that he has ignored the important things in his life.

The Illustrated Man

The Illustrated Man · 1969

The Illustrated Man

MovieScience FictionDrama

A man who has a body almost completely covered in tattoos is searching for the woman who cursed him with the "skin illustrations". Each tattoo reveals a bizarre story, which is experienced by staring at the scene depicted. When the illustrated man meets a fellow tramp on the road a strange voyage begins.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter