Living With Lions - The Complete Story cover art

Living With Lions - The Complete Story Reviews

1999 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 653 members

LIVING WITH LIONS: THE COMPLETE STORY is a behind-the-scenes documentary following the British Lions 1997 tour of South Africa. Starting with training in England and continuing through every provincial game and test match, this sports film offers a rare glimpse inside the workings of a world-class team. Read more

Genres Sport

loading loading...

  • Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Living With Lions - The Complete Story

    View all
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    The Lion has Teeth

    South Africa. A country steeped in rugby lore. To the citizens of this proud nation, rugby is not merely a game, but an indicator as to the status of their nation. Victory is demanded, whilst defeat can result in national unpheaval. To say that the first Lions Tour in over 30 years was important would be a ridculous understatement. The Springboks may have been World Champions, but to them defeating the Lions would be an testament to their superiority over all nations.

    It is against this backdrop that the 1997 British Lions prepared to face the most significant challenge of the modern day era. The first professional amalgamation of the home nations would be a watershed in the most turbulent period in international rugby. Epoch defining is perhaps the only way to convey the importance of this tour.

    This astonishing insight into the preparation and ultimate success of the most difficult of tasks is what makes 'Living with Lions' stand out from your average back slapping, state the obvious, chronicles of sporting success. From the bonding sessions pre-tour to the terrible injuries to Doddie Weir and Will Greenwood, we are treated to a plethora of revelations. The sitrring moments pre-test, where Telfer could single handedly change the shape of an individual's psyche, to the front row riot mid-training session, we are blessed with a masterclass in the psychology of teamwork and the undiluted passion which the professional era was supposed to have ended.

    This is a must see for anyone even remotely interested in sport, and a testimony to the fact that better players may not neccesarily win games, but better teams always will.

      • Kenneth Day from Dundee
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Fantastic

    I wish I was a more articulate person to give this DVD the write up it deserves. Inspiring, rousing, moving, and emotional. Sheer rugby excellence.

    By the way, Scott Gibbs is a human Tank.

      • A customer from Gilfach Goch, Wales
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Fantastically entertaining insights

    Having just returned from the latest Lions tour in NZ this DVD was definately food for thought! The commeraderie and passion shown by the players and the management was intense, and one wonders if the same was true of the latest tour.

    As far as sport features go, this focuses almost 100% on events off the field, with minimal match action - in fact most of the filming at matches is of the reaction of the bench, and the banter of Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer in the stand - its fascinating to watch.

    You really get involved in the anguish and delight of all aspects of the tour - definately reccommended for any rugby fan!

      • Sarah from Battersea, London
  • Most recent members' reviews (2) of Living With Lions - The Complete Story

    View all
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    The Lion has Teeth

    South Africa. A country steeped in rugby lore. To the citizens of this proud nation, rugby is not merely a game, but an indicator as to the status of their nation. Victory is demanded, whilst defeat can result in national unpheaval. To say that the first Lions Tour in over 30 years was important would be a ridculous understatement. The Springboks may have been World Champions, but to them defeating the Lions would be an testament to their superiority over all nations.

    It is against this backdrop that the 1997 British Lions prepared to face the most significant challenge of the modern day era. The first professional amalgamation of the home nations would be a watershed in the most turbulent period in international rugby. Epoch defining is perhaps the only way to convey the importance of this tour.

    This astonishing insight into the preparation and ultimate success of the most difficult of tasks is what makes 'Living with Lions' stand out from your average back slapping, state the obvious, chronicles of sporting success. From the bonding sessions pre-tour to the terrible injuries to Doddie Weir and Will Greenwood, we are treated to a plethora of revelations. The sitrring moments pre-test, where Telfer could single handedly change the shape of an individual's psyche, to the front row riot mid-training session, we are blessed with a masterclass in the psychology of teamwork and the undiluted passion which the professional era was supposed to have ended.

    This is a must see for anyone even remotely interested in sport, and a testimony to the fact that better players may not neccesarily win games, but better teams always will.

      • Kenneth Day from Dundee
  • Rated - 5 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Living With Lions

    An excellent fly on the wall documentary, which will inspire anyone with patriotic tendancies. I felt every tackle, every try and can only admire the detrmination and focus required to go to the other side of the world, and win a test series against South Africa.

    This is a film you can watch over and over, and it will fill you with British Pride every time.

      • Karlos44 from Doncaster
  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    The Lion has Teeth

    South Africa. A country steeped in rugby lore. To the citizens of this proud nation, rugby is not merely a game, but an indicator as to the status of their nation. Victory is demanded, whilst defeat can result in national unpheaval. To say that the first Lions Tour in over 30 years was important would be a ridculous understatement. The Springboks may have been World Champions, but to them defeating the Lions would be an testament to their superiority over all nations.

    It is against this backdrop that the 1997 British Lions prepared to face the most significant challenge of the modern day era. The first professional amalgamation of the home nations would be a watershed in the most turbulent period in international rugby. Epoch defining is perhaps the only way to convey the importance of this tour.

    This astonishing insight into the preparation and ultimate success of the most difficult of tasks is what makes 'Living with Lions' stand out from your average back slapping, state the obvious, chronicles of sporting success. From the bonding sessions pre-tour to the terrible injuries to Doddie Weir and Will Greenwood, we are treated to a plethora of revelations. The sitrring moments pre-test, where Telfer could single handedly change the shape of an individual's psyche, to the front row riot mid-training session, we are blessed with a masterclass in the psychology of teamwork and the undiluted passion which the professional era was supposed to have ended.

    This is a must see for anyone even remotely interested in sport, and a testimony to the fact that better players may not neccesarily win games, but better teams always will.

      • Kenneth Day from Dundee
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Fantastic

    I wish I was a more articulate person to give this DVD the write up it deserves. Inspiring, rousing, moving, and emotional. Sheer rugby excellence.

    By the way, Scott Gibbs is a human Tank.

      • A customer from Gilfach Goch, Wales
  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Fantastically entertaining insights

    Having just returned from the latest Lions tour in NZ this DVD was definately food for thought! The commeraderie and passion shown by the players and the management was intense, and one wonders if the same was true of the latest tour.

    As far as sport features go, this focuses almost 100% on events off the field, with minimal match action - in fact most of the filming at matches is of the reaction of the bench, and the banter of Ian McGeechan and Jim Telfer in the stand - its fascinating to watch.

    You really get involved in the anguish and delight of all aspects of the tour - definately reccommended for any rugby fan!

      • Sarah from Battersea, London
  • Rated - 5 stars

    Life with the Lyons

    This is a fantastic DVD. It provides a complete insight into the tour that you would not otherwise know. It is a very comprehensive and an awe inspiring documentary. Forget the rest because this is the best.

      • Michael from Kent
  • Rated - 5 stars

    superb

    This DVD is awesome, it encapsulates the highs and lows of the tour, and also the shear briliance of the British and Irish Lions.

    To re-iterate a previous review Scott Gibbs is indeed a tank !!

    Bring on 2005 !

      • Lions Fan from Hampshire
  • Rated - 4 stars

    If only Sir Clive had watched this.

    What a fantastic insight into the leadership required and delivered by the Lions coaching staff in South Africa 1997. The pride in being part of the squad really does come through, from players and coaches to medical staff.

    Almost stands on its own as a guide to being a great motivating leader - even if you dont (god forbid) like rugby. And if you do...you'll never tire of watching Dawson's dummy.

      • Danny Dawes from England
  • Rated - 5 stars

    Great rugby - warts and all!!

    This is a must for all rugby fans. Great insight into this Lions Tour. You actually felt you were there with them. This is rugby life - warts and all!! Keeps you engrossed right to the end.

      • Kathleen McGovern from Ramsgate, Kent
  • Rated - 5 stars

    Excellent - Well worth watching

    Anyone remotely interested in British rugby will really enjoy this now classic win over the Boks. Looking back at the passion and determination of the 97 Lions brings the hair on the back of your neck to stand up. You wont be dissapointed! Just watched disc 2 as well - exactly exciting.

      • Dai Webster from Cardiff, Wales
  • Rated - 5 stars

    what can you say

    Well what can you say!!!! RUGBY

    I would rate this 100% pure joy

      • A customer from uk
  • Rated - 5 stars

    100%

    Pure rugby. A joy to watch

      • A customer from uk

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop


    • Living With Lions - The Complete Story
      LIVING WITH LIONS: THE COMPLETE STORY is a behind-the-scenes documentary following the British Lions 1997 tour of South Africa. Starting with training in England and continuing through every provincial game and test match, this sports film offers a rare glimpse inside the workings of a world-class ...

Rating breakdown

653 Member ratings
  • 100
153
  • 90
76
  • 80
109
  • 70
83
  • 60
68
  • 50
42
  • 40
23
  • 30
32
  • 20
45
  • 10
22

Related user collection

films for any mood. (26)

Average rating: 3.75   75% from 4 members

by: ruth beville from kent

Celebrity collection

Leonardo DiCaprio (7)
Average rating: 4.03   80.6% from 31 members