The Last Lions (2011)

87% of critics liked it
(38 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(1,144 ratings)

A resilient lioness in Botswana's Okavango Delta embarks on an epic journey of survival in this nature documentary from National Geographic and award-winning filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Narrated by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons, The Last Lions follows Ma di Tau ("Mother of Lions") as… More A resilient lioness in Botswana's Okavango Delta embarks on an epic journey of survival in this nature documentary from National Geographic and award-winning filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Narrated by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons, The Last Lions follows Ma di Tau ("Mother of Lions") as she races to get her cubs to safety during a rampaging fire, and fends off ferocious lioness Silver Eye, the murderous matriarch of a rival pride. Crossing crocodile-infested waters on a quest to reach Duba Island, the fiercely protective mother discovers that in order for her family to survive, she must conquer a herd of buffalos with piercing horns. Later, in an incredible turn of fate, Ma di Tau forges a fragile alliance with a rival pride in order to wage a desperate battle to preserve their bloodline in the face of certain extinction. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Dereck Joubert
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Feb 18, 2011 Wide
On DVD: Jan 3, 2012
Studio: National Geographic Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Dennis Harvey, Variety
Gripping.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
A gorgeous looking film filled with the sort of footage one can only get with patience and persistence.
Andrea Gronvall, Chicago Reader
Many of the sequences are intense, like those in which the lioness refines its hunting strategies in unfamiliar territory. But they're undercut by Jeremy Irons's sonorous narration.
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Wrenching and wondrous, Dereck and Beverly Joubert's documentary The Last Lions is not a tale for the faint-hearted.
Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle
It's all very melodramatic, but the Jouberts accompany this story with incredible visuals, with an exceptional level of access.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
An astonishing visual experience and at times almost profoundly suspenseful.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
an extraordinary achievement
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
There's some heartbreaking stuff here but also moments of triumph. Not to mention visuals that will leave audiences breathless.
Justin Strout, Orlando Weekly
It's uplifting, but also raw and brutal.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Especially if older kids are already fascinated with wild animals, they'll be mesmerized, and will probably successfully badger you to donate to the cause via text message on the way out of the theater.
Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
Visually stunning nature docu has some upsetting scenes.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
This nature documentary about the vanishing lions of Africa is not your children's Lion King.
Jackie Loohauis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
This is National Geographic writ raw for effect, and "The Last Lions" suffers for it.
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
While "The Last Lions" lacks the visceral excitement of some other survival dramas, it has anthropomorphic heart to spare.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
If something can be done to save these last lions, this sort of honest appraisal is exactly the first step we need.
Alison Gang, San Diego Union-Tribune
Quite possibly the most emotionally wrenching, stunningly beautiful film I've yet to encounter - fiction or otherwise.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
No matter how you feel about real-life drama being shaped and enhanced in the editing room, this is wildlife storytelling at its formidable finest.
Zak Jason, Boston Phoenix
The Last Lions turns Duba Island into a theater of survival, love, and adaptation.
Jesse Cataldo, Slant Magazine
So much is contained in the film, from real technical virtuosity to heart-wrenching moments of pathos, that it's a shame it seems satisfied to be so ordinary in other aspects.

Read all 19 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Panta O

Interesting documentary which focuses on a lioness named Ma di Tau ("Mother of Lions") as she battles to protect her cubs against the daunting onslaught of enemies to ensure their survival. The film is narrated by (not very inspiring) Jeremy Irons and the underlying message… More
Interesting documentary which focuses on a lioness named Ma di Tau ("Mother of Lions") as she battles to protect her cubs against the daunting onslaught of enemies to ensure their survival. The film is narrated by (not very inspiring) Jeremy Irons and the underlying message of the film is on the low population of large cats in the world and whether or not Ma di Tau and her cubs are among the last lions... of course if you put $10 out of your pocket somehow you can save them... My problem with this documentary is that not everything seemed real... yes, I know that the nature could be amazing but some of the events depicted in this story just did not match or made sense, and when you see that final result is very impressive and exiting dramatic effect - you start wondering what else in the story was "touched up".
Sundeep B

A national geographic documentary follows a lioness into her desperate journey for survival for her and her 3 cubs. Magnificently told/directed by award winning film maker Dereck and Beverly Joubert and magistically narrated by Oscar winner, Jeremy Irons. Its a must see for a number… More
A national geographic documentary follows a lioness into her desperate journey for survival for her and her 3 cubs. Magnificently told/directed by award winning film maker Dereck and Beverly Joubert and magistically narrated by Oscar winner, Jeremy Irons. Its a must see for a number of reasons, how the law of jungle works and most importantly how human beings are destroying the ecology of these incredible animals.