The true story of the birth, growth and coming of age of a leopard cub in Africa's Serengeti plain. The journey of "The Leopard Son" begins at his mother's side where he discovers, through play, essential skills for survival in the wild. As it is with humans, there inevitably comes the day when a child must leave his mother to go out on his own.
Cinematography
Hugo van Lawick spent TWO YEARS filming this leopard family.
Editing
Turns 700+ hours of footage into actual narrative structure.
Director
Hugo van Lawick
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hugo van Lawick was Jane Goodall's first husband and filmed her famous chimpanzee research—dude literally invented the modern wildlife documentary.
Released in 1996 when Disney's Lion King dominated, this was the gritty indie reply—same themes, zero songs, 100% real death.
US
