The Last Lions

Name: The Last Lions
Genre: Documentary
Released: February 18, 2011
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 69

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 8 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 8 Ratings

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The Last Lions

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Movie Details & Credits

National Geographic Entertainment | Release Date: February 18, 2011 | PG

Summary: From the lush wetlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta comes the suspense-filled tale of a determined lioness ready to try anything—and willing to risk everything—to keep her family alive. In the new wildlife adventure, The Last Lions, filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert follow the epic journey of a lioness named Ma di Tau (“Mother ofFrom the lush wetlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta comes the suspense-filled tale of a determined lioness ready to try anything—and willing to risk everything—to keep her family alive. In the new wildlife adventure, The Last Lions, filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert follow the epic journey of a lioness named Ma di Tau (“Mother of Lions”) as she battles to protect her cubs against a daunting onslaught of enemies in order to ensure their survival. (National Geographic Entertainment)… Expand

Director: Dereck Joubert

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: PG

Runtime: 88 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer

Feb 26, 2011

A great way to go on a safari without ever leaving the multiplex. Read full review

Nicolas Rapold

Feb 15, 2011

Though floridly written and relentlessly scored, the film's dramas are more persuasively framed than many human ones, going so far as to include multiple flashbacks. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Feb 17, 2011

A worthy, intensive labor of love that took years to shoot and edit, and it's also more gripping than a lot of recent Hollywood thrillers. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Feb 16, 2011

The footage, by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, is stunning. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Feb 17, 2011

Mightily impressive to look at. What it's like to listen to is somewhat different. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Mar 17, 2011

This nature documentary about the vanishing lions of Africa is not your children's "Lion King." Read full review

Nick Schager

Feb 15, 2011

Overflowing with super-slow motion, color filters and the clunkiest of flashbacks, The Last Lions frequently amplifies the melodrama to borderline-excessive proportions. Read full review

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User Reviews

Seeingthemovies

Mar 27, 2011

Words to describe "The Last Lions" are amazing, stunning, incredible, sad and real. Beverley and Dereck Joubert's experiences with the lions after living with them for so many years makes "The Last Lions" a leader in wildlife documentaries. The cinematography and editing were amazing. TheWords to describe "The Last Lions" are amazing, stunning, incredible, sad and real. Beverley and Dereck Joubert's experiences with the lions after living with them for so many years makes "The Last Lions" a leader in wildlife documentaries. The cinematography and editing were amazing. The movie is not showing where we live, so we drove 90 minutes to go see it and it was certainly worth the drive. The way the Jouberts tell the story of a lioness named Ma di Tau (â… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Conjure

Aug 23, 2015

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I know that most animal documentaries are also sad but this one got to
me towards the end with Ma di Tau and her precious little daughter. I
still think about the face of the little cub.

This documentary is fantastic. Great scenery and puts you in the
predicament of our lions. I highly recommend watching it.

One thing really got to me. It was a review by MANOHLA DARGIS of the NY
times. Did this women watch the movie or just have an agenda?

She says "Within the first 20 minutes of "The Last Lions" one adult
lion dies in a ferocious on-screen fight .." Then in the next paragraph
she says "First, her old man splits..."

Well, if Manohla actually watched the movie rather than looking at it
she should have known that the adult lion who died was her mate
fighting for her and the cubs to protect their territory. He did not
split. He fought and gave up his life for the family. That is a helluva difference Manohla.

And Ma di Tau and her cubs did not "lose their home in a fire." They were forced out by the new pride that came in and took over their territory. The fire was an impediment to their escape. Geez woman get the facts right.

And you are a film critic????… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Movieitis

Mar 20, 2011

"The Last Lions" has a PG rating for a reason! The narration is cloying & childish but the images are extremely graphic. We went with an 8 year old who had to leave the theater she was so disturbed by the events depicted in this story. It's very accurate & moving, but shocking, too much"The Last Lions" has a PG rating for a reason! The narration is cloying & childish but the images are extremely graphic. We went with an 8 year old who had to leave the theater she was so disturbed by the events depicted in this story. It's very accurate & moving, but shocking, too much so for kids. A day later I can't get some of the images out or my mind. Not sorry I went. It's stunningly photographed. It's a movie that anyone who cares deeply about species survival ought to see.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

RobinsNest

Mar 25, 2012

Well shot documentary that actually has a story. The animals have personalities and Mr Irons projects perhaps their "thinking". It is too long, as many of the same situations are played over again. Still it is a thought provoking insight to what may be happening to the king of beasts. SolidWell shot documentary that actually has a story. The animals have personalities and Mr Irons projects perhaps their "thinking". It is too long, as many of the same situations are played over again. Still it is a thought provoking insight to what may be happening to the king of beasts. Solid above average effort.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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