African Cats (2011)

A nature documentary centered on two cat families and how they teach their cubs the ways of the wild.

Directors:

Keith Scholey, Alastair Fothergill (co-director)

Writers:

Keith Scholey (narration written by), John Truby (narration written by)

Stars:

Samuel L. Jackson, Patrick Stewart, Mara

3 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Narrator (voice)
Patrick Stewart	...	Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mara	...	Herself

Storyline

A nature documentary centered on two cat families and how they teach their cubs the ways of the wild.

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Plot Keywords:

cat | maasai mara national reserve kenya | extreme closeup | giraffe | swimming animal | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Adventure

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Certificate:

G

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 April 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Felinos de África

Filming Locations:

Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,003,200, 24 April 2011, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$15,415,270, 10 July 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Disneynature, Fothergill / Scholey Productions, Walt Disney Studios

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

SDDS DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This wildlife documentary features lions, cheetahs, Cape buffalo herds, Nile crocodiles, hyenas, African bush elephants, giraffes, hippopotami, wildebeest herds, rhinos, Thompson's gazelles, warthogs, ostriches, jackals, and zebras.

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Crazy Credits

During the entire run of the end credits, animals (shown in short clips) have been "credited" for being part of the production stuff. For example "Masai Giraffe - Crane Operators".

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Alternate Versions

In the U.S. version Samuel L. Jackson narrates while Patrick Stewart narrates the U.K. version.

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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.14 (2011)

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Soundtracks

The World I Knew
Written by Josiah Dean and Ryan Tedder
Performed by Jordin Sparks

User Reviews

Technically brilliant; the narration is overdone.

African cats are as dangerous as they are majestic, and one runs the risk of forgetting that when watching this documentary. Cheetahs, lions, and hyenas are lethal killing machines, that is how they live, that is their role in nature. The pictures speak for themselves; narration may not even be necessary. Watching a lion chase down a gazelle or a cheetah face down a lion requires no commentary. This is life or death. Here the narration becomes a distraction. The animals are not acting for the audience's amusement. They are doing what animals do to survive. Do lions have a sense of family? Who knows. But one thing is for certain: this documentary provides a spectacular glimpse of the brute strength and incredible agility of these creatures. Technically, this documentary is superb. But anthropomorphizing these animals for dramatic effect really trivializes what the documentary is showing. These animals are not cuddly playthings; they can and do kill, which is an aspect of their nature that cannot be played down.