The Lion (1962)

In Kenya, when young Tina befriends a lion and embraces local customs, her mother summons Tina's American father to help bring Tina back to civilization and give her a civilized upbringing.

Director:

Jack Cardiff

Writers:

Irene Kamp (screenplay by), Louis Kamp (screenplay by)

Stars:

William Holden, Trevor Howard, Capucine

Cast

Complete credited cast:
William Holden	...	Robert Hayward
Trevor Howard	...	John Bullit
Capucine	...	Christine
Pamela Franklin	...	Tina
Zamba	...	King

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

animal as title | lion fight | stepfather | lion | pet lion | 

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Taglines:

Two Men Obsessed By a Woman Who Desired Them Both...

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was originally planned as a vehicle for Laurence Harvey and Simone Signoret.

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Goofs

If Tina really did raise King from a cub she would be about 15 years old.

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Quotes

King: [Saves Tina's life from lioness]
Tina: [King comes to Tina] King! I knew you loved me. You saw King chose me. He's mine!
King: [Coming to Tina]
Tina: Stay away from her. You naughty thing.
King: [Mounting King]
Tina: King will see me home. He really loves me.
Christine: Now your beginning to see?
Robert Hayward: If I hadn't seen it... Well, I wouldn't have believed it. It's like witchcraft.
Tina: [Riding away on King] Now do you understand King? I don't want you to have anything more to do with that nasty lioness again. Who does she think she is?

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Connections

Referenced in Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010)

User Reviews

Excellent acting by child actress Pamela Franklin!!

I fell in love with this movie when I first saw it as a kid. I had the opportunity to watch it again recently and found that it was as captivating as I remembered it to be. However, what impressed me the most this time was not the story or the magnificent African scenery & animal footage, but this young girl's ability to play such a difficult role to perfection. Pamela Franklin (only 12 years old at the time I believe) stole every single scene out from under the film's big-name adult stars: Holden, Capucine and Howard. Her performance alone is enough reason to see this great drama if ever given the opportunity!

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 August 1962 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Lion

Filming Locations:

Nanyuki area, Kenya

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,620,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Twentieth Century-Fox Productions, Samuel G. Engel Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1