The Lion (1962)

Concerned with her daughter's (Pamela Franklin) unorthodox upbringing (the child's best friend and playmate is a grown male lion) in the African bush with her second husband (Trevor Howard), her mother (Capucine) asks her ex-husband (William Holden) to visit them with the intent that he return with the daughter to America. His visit, however, brings a disruption far beyond what was intended. Directed by Jack Cardiff, the brilliant cinematographer of RED SHOES and BLACK NARCISSUS, the film shows an uncanny understanding of how children relate to animals and the unconditional affection they give to them. Cardiff is less fortunate with the adults however. Their handling of the situation is dubious. Is the child better off in so called civilization than being raised on a reserve by her mother and stepfather? Is the mother's concern entirely for the daughter or does she have other, if subconscious, motives? Someone, ultimately, has to get hurt. Though the cinematographer is Edward Scaife (KHARTOUM), no doubt Cardiff had a hand in the stunning African visuals (the film was shot in Kenya, Tanganyika and Uganda) though there are some awkward process shots. Very loosely based on the novel by Joseph Kessel. The music is by Oscar winner Malcolm Arnold.