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.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.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.
- Elder of Masai
- (uncredited)
- Masai Warrior
- (uncredited)
- Orlunga
- (uncredited)
- Bogo
- (uncredited)
- Kihero
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaOriginally a local Massai man was suppose to do the wrestling scene with Zamba but at the last minute when he saw the lion he refused. So Ralph Helfer ended up doing the stunt. They had to dye his skin black, which didn't come off for three months.
- GoofsIf Tina really did raise King from a cub she would be about 15 years old.
- 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?
- ConnectionsReferenced in Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff (2010)
PAMELA FRANKLIN is charming and natural as the girl with her clipped British accent and clipped head of hair giving her a tomboyish appearance throughout. She carries most of the film with a convincing portrait of a girl who has to grow up and find relationships with people just as stimulating as her love for an overgrown pet lion.
WILLIAM HOLDEN was still attractive at this time, maturity sitting well on his features and quietly effective as the girl's biological father who has been summoned by his ex-wife (CAPUCINE) to see what he can do about their daughter and her excessive interest in all things wild.
The color cinematography is a visual delight with stunning vistas of the African plains (filmed in Kenya) and gorgeous sunsets, but the story is on less solid ground than the photography and is pretty predictable once Holden's presence kindles Capucine's interest in a romantic way. Still, there's enough material within the slight story to hold the viewer's interest and a nice background score by Malcolm Arnold helps things along.
Anyone who grew up during the MY FRIEND FLICKA and LASSIE COME HOME days will be reminded that this is simply transference of a typical household pet to an untamed lion, but with basically the same story and before long, lots of deja vu settles in.
- Doylenf
- Mar 5, 2007
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Samuel G. Engel's the Lion
- Filming locations
- Kenya(Exterior)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $2,620,000
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1