The Lion Hunters (La chasse au lion à l’arc)
Directed by Jean Rouch
1965/France
Comite du film Ethnographique/Les films de la Pleiade
First viewing/FilmStruck

[box] Do not try to fight a lion if you are not one yourself. -African Proverb[/box]

For those that can handle animal gore, this is a fascinating documentary about all aspects of a lion hunt, both ritual and practical.

Jean Rouch (The Mad Masters (1955)) documents customs of nomadic sub-Saharan cattleherders on the Niger-Mali border surrounding a lion hunt.  Painstaking crafting of weapons and practice along with the rituals designed to ensure success are detailed.  

I thought this was really interesting.  I can’t figure out why The Book’s editors would choose the disgusting and staged Mad Masters for inclusion on the list over this one which feels very authentic.  Warning:  Not for the squeamish.

Trailer – no subtitles