Product Description Fleeing a raging fire and a rival pride headed by the dangerous cub-killing lioness Silver Eye, Ma di Tau ("Mother of Lions") and her fragile cubs must make their perilous escape by swimming a crocodile-infested river. Remote Duba Island is both a refuge and a strange new world for Ma di Tau and her cubs to conquer. On Duba, Ma di Tau must face off with the island's herd of fierce buffalo whose huge, slashing horns are among the most dangerous weapons in Africa. Although the buffalo are one of her biggest threats, they are also one of her best hopes for survival if she can prevail over them. Yet, even as Ma di Tau faces devastating loss and escalating perils, she becomes part of a stunning turning point in the power dynamics on Duba Island, bringing together a competitive rival pride in a titanic primal bid to preserve the thing that matters most: the future of their bloodlines. About the Director Dereck and Beverly Joubert are award-winning filmmakers from Botswana who have been National Geographic explorers-in-residence for over four years. Their mission is the conservation and understanding of the large predators and key African wildlife species that determine the course of all conservation in Africa. They have been filming, researching, and exploring in Africa for over 28 years. Their coverage of unique predator behavior has resulted in 22 films, 10 books, 6 scientific papers, and many articles for National Geographic magazine. This body of work has resulted in five Emmys, a Peabody, the World Ecology Award, and a recent induction into the American Academy of Achievement. They recently have been awarded the Presidential Order of Merit by the government of Botswana for their life's work. Beverly Joubert also is an acclaimed photographer, and many of her photographs have appeared in National Geographic magazine. Filmmaking for them has always been a way to bring the message of conservation to audiences, and it is estimated that over a billion viewers have seen their film "Eternal Enemies." Their recent expansion into conservation tourism via their new company, Great Plains, is a venture into community/conservation partnerships in Africa, and Great Plains has received international awards for responsible tourism. It is the Jouberts' belief that while some areas need the wilderness to be maintained in isolation, other areas will disappear unless viable, extremely-light-ecological-footprint (low-volume, high-cost) benefits are generated for communities. The total amount of impacted conservation land under Great Plains influence is about 1.5 million acres (607,000 hectares). These projects all aim to rehabilitate the environment and return these vast tracts of land to nature. But it is the plight of big cats that attracts their major effort today. Dereck and Beverly established the Big Cats Initiative, a program with National Geographic designed as an emergency action fund to drive the world's attention to big cats and to develop real solutions to stop the decline that has seen lion numbers drop from 450,000 to 20,000 in 50 years. "We no longer have the luxury of time when it comes to big cats," says Dereck. "They are in such a downward spiral that if we hesitate now, we will be responsible for extinctions across the globe. If there was ever a time to take action, it is now."
A**R
Best movie ever
loved it suspenseful educational, moving from beginning to end, very conversational great movie for kids 10 and up
M**S
Great condition. As described.
Exactly as described.
S**S
BRILLIANT- A true masterpiece!
I didn't think I would ever see a nature video equal to the Joubert's groundbreaking "Lions and Hyenas- Eternal Enemies". "The Last Lions" has proved me wrong! What an unbelievable movie!! The cinematography is superb. Over and over again, we are treated to beautifully framed nature shots. The cloud cover alone is breathtaking. Wide angle distant views (including aerial shots) would make any set designer envious. Top talent all around including "lighting by God"! This is true art at its best. The storytelling may be the most compelling draw. The best scriptwriters in Hollywood could not have done better. Your emotions will go to all extremes-you will rejoice, you will feel sadness, and you will cheer for certain players- but never because of misleading copy or cheesy special effects. The words ring true throughout. The film editors do use occasional effects- The sepia filter is beyond gorgeous! Even here, it is not used as a gimmick for it never detracts from the stunning real life visuals. (Lions look great in Sepia- especially HD) The last 15 minutes are beyond belief! This is the story of one lion in particular- "The Mother of Lions". Her journey through life, and how she rises to power (despite great loss) is the stuff of legends. WOW! The narration by Jeremy Lyons is, once again, perfect. The musical score is excellent, and perfectly supports the triumph and tragedy of each scene. Near the end, the use of a single woman's vocals will give you chill bumps. You may well cry- the scene plays out with joy at first, then chilling remorse and a deep heart-felt sorrow. I have not seen an ending to a movie that blew me away like this since "The Sixth Sense". (No- lions don't see dead people- just dead water buffalo!) It just couldn't get any better than this- and then it does! The Joubert's have devoted their lives to the study and filming of big cats, but The King of the Beasts is in trouble. The statistics are frightening- the lion population in Africa has dropped by over 90% in 50 years. This film is not just to entertain- it is a tool to encourage us to do everything we can to preserve these "Last Lions" Through this movie, this masterpiece, you will will develop a deeper love for these amazing creatures, and then hopefully you will cherish and protect what you love. Please visit "Make a Roar .com" and help the Jouberts in this worthy cause.
L**Z
The story behind the good & bad events.
I love big cat documentaries, & movies. This show did not disappoint me.
T**R
Unforgettable storyline
I had the good fortune to see this documentary during its too short run on the big screen. It's one of the very best and memorable (heartbreaking at times) depictions of lions I've ever seen (and I own virtually every documentary on lions ever made). I've also been privileged to personally visit the location of this film, Duba Plains, and watch these extraordinary lions hunt buffalo. This film haunted me for weeks afterwards and is so much better than the happy-go-lucky approach of Disneynature's African Cats. I'm very pleased to now own the DVD of The Last Lions.Since last January, National Geographic has donated 10 cents every time the official trailer for this film is watched on YouTube (up to a million views; $100,000). In a year, less than 350,000 have viewed the trailer so only a third of the possible money has been designated. In a day when silly videos go viral and quickly get millions of views, it is tragic and an indictment on the human race that so few people care enough to save these magnificent creatures to spend a couple of minutes watching the trailer. Do your part and watch it at least once daily until the goal of one million views is reached - [...]
D**E
ELITE
There was a time, for some some time, when "Eternal Enemies" was the undisputed best documentary on Lions. "The Last Lions" now is the King, or perhaps in this instance; "Queen" is the more accurate description. A Lioness loses her mate to an invading Pride, and in crippling a giant Lioness of the invading Pride, creates a terrible arch-enemy. She retreats to an island with her two cubs, to try to raise them while hunting among Hyena, Crocodile and the islands dominant creatures, a huge pack of Bulls in an area that is as much water as land. She slowly adapts to the new landscape while rearing a new enemy, the King of the Bulls; "Scar". As they square off on this island time and again, she becomes a deadly hunter, desperate to feed her young, but here comes the twist of fate; her old nemesis and the invading Pride of Lionesses are coming!I would have named this brutal documentary "Fate", because it is the best example of nature and it's cruel laws that I have ever seen. "The Last Lions" is the elite documentary on Lions, and is narrated to perfection by the always magnificent, Jeremy Irons.This is it, this is the one.
G**R
Good NATURE movie
It's a good movie of you like watching these kind of movies, than you'll like this one.I recommend it....
B**S
A Breathtaking Documentary
If you love wildlife, and lions in particular, this is a must-see. The Jouberts, who are Explorers-in-Residence for National Geographic, have produced a documentary that focuses on the plight of lions in the wild while delivering their message with a piercingly beautiful story and stunning cinematography. I admit to a tear towards the end, when the story takes an unexpected and dramatic turn. Jeremy Irons narrates the film, and since I need to use closed captions because of my hearing loss, I could not hear a lot of the narration clearly. One friend (out of 6) who borrowed my DVD found Irons' narration a bit of a monotone.I will also say this --- thanks to this important documentary, which moved me greatly, I am now supporting the Big Cat Initiative. I sent Dereck Joubert a friend request on Facebook which he accepted - wow! I just wanted to personally thank him and Beverly for all the wonderful work they have done over the last 30 years they have lived with the lions in Botwsana.
C**Y
Loved it!
A documentary that shows the life of a lioness and her three cubs on the isolated island of Duba. Not only will this documentary keep you on the edge of your seat, it will also make you break down in tears. Ma di Tau's story is worth watching, from escaping the rival pride of lions, learning how to hunt the water buffalo in their own element; to the heartbreaking decisions she has to make when it comes to her cubs. "The Last Lions" is truly a wonderful documentary that I recommend to anyone who loves lions and wants to save these beautiful creatures from extinction.
M**A
Five Stars
Documentario fantastico e commovente.
R**H
Wow!
A very good DVD. Very sad though, as you see a lioness struggling to bring up 3 cubs after her male mate is killed by opposing lions. It is very well shot and had me gripped. The only down point is that this is only available on region 1, fortunately I have a multi region DVD player and a TV that converts NTSC to PAL, so if you don't have this to buy it as the disc won't play. If you do, then buy it, it is worth it. Come on Amazon release it on UK region 2, so people can see this. Very sad that in 50 years the number of lions has gone down from 450,000 to just 20,000. We need to start saving these big cats before they become extinct.....
I**N
DVD NOT VALID OUTSIDE USA AND CANADA!!!!
I have purchased a DVD that is NOT VALID for any countries except USA or CANADA and that did not figured in any description of the ítem, so in addition to lose more than a month waiting for it, I've lost the money of this purchase.
A**R
Five Stars
Just love it and watched many times over and over again.
