Living with Lions (film)

Living with Lions is a documentary that was released on video (and later DVD) that follows the 1997 British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa.

The film concentrates on the backroom effort, with less attention paid to the on-field rugby. Even when rugby is shown, it is often cut with the reactions of the coaches on the bench and other backroom staff.

The documentary balances pain of various injuries to Rob Howley, Will Greenwood and Doddie Weir, the tensions within the camp (Barry Williams fighting with Mark Regan), the humour of John Bentley's visit to the gym and Keith Wood, and finally jubilation after victory in the second Test.

It is largely concerned with events up to the end of the second Test, with the third Test being dealt with via an textual epilogue. Due to its success, a follow-up documentary Living With The Lions 2 - The Final Week was produced. Both films are included in the DVD.

Wales and Lions player John Taylor was an Executive Producer on the film.

For the 2001 tour to Australia, another documentary was produced. However, the Lions lost that tour, and there were suggestions that it had been censored to edit out the fact that the players (especially Austin Healey) were displeased with the coach, Graham Henry.