“Produced in memory of Hugo Baron Van Lawick, this is a breathtaking story about an old lion who looks back at his life in East Africa - the scars on his face are evidence of an adventurous and dramatic life in the bare and ruthless Savannah”

The African King follows the harsh and competitive life of Addo, a male lion born into a successful pride.
In his early days, life in the pride is easy and food is plentiful. In his second year, the rains fail to come and his life changes forever. Food becomes scarce and tension spreads through the pride. Competition is fierce. When two strange males invade, life, as Addo knows it, is over and he is forced to flee.

Alone and inexperienced, Addo's wanderings take him on a journey of life or death. Africa is a cruel teacher, and he must learn to survive in a difficult and dangerous world.

After many miles and many fights, Addo comes across another wandering lion and they make a pact. Together they brave the ruthless existence that living in the wilderness brings.
Addo and his companion are the fortunate ones, through cunning and skill, they achieve their greatest aim - to take over a pride and father cubs.

Filmed by by the eight times Emmy® award winning filmmaker Hugo van Lawick over a period of two years in Tanzania. Through astoundingly beautiful images, The African King reveals the real and unpolished story of the harsh power struggle in the world of beasts.

Narrated by Simon Shrimpton Smith
Filmed by Hugo van Lawick, Anton Van Munster and Matt Aeberhard
Produced by Evert Van Den Bos for Nature Conservation CV (2002)

To watch a preview of the Hugo van Lawick wildlife collection follow this link (opens in a new window)