Christian the lion - Full ending

In 1969 a young Australian, John Rendall and his friend Ace Bourke, bought a small lion cub from Harrods pet department, which was then legal. 'Christian' was kept in the basement of a furniture shop on the Kings Road in Chelsea, the heart of the swinging sixties. Loved by all, the affectionate cub ate in a local restaurant, played in a nearby graveyard, but was growing fast...
A chance encounter with Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna led to a new life for Christian. He came to live in a huge enclosure and to sleep in a caravan at their Surrey home. Then in 1971 he was flown to Kenya, his ancestral home, and returned to the wild by lion-man George Adamson. Nine months later in 1972, John and Ace returned to Kora in Kenya. This clip is of their reunion at that time.
It was an emotional reunion: "He ran towards us, threw himself onto us, knocked us over and hugged us, with his paws on our shoulders."
John Rendall
Christian's story. Directed by Bill Travers, commentary by Virgina McKenna, founders of the Born Free Foundation.
See www.bornfree.org.uk for more about this story.
Christian the Lion is distributed by Beckmann Visual Publishing
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[@aseed89]

Proof that animals feel love, even the most ferocious ones.

[@Iamtheprinceso]

Christian was like these are my humans

[@RAMSEY1987]

That women's voice is so 1960's BBC

[@jtpinnyc]

logical fruit Pretty sure it's the same woman who voiced Mary in Mary Mungo and Midge.

[@marvinc999]

logical fruit 'That woman' is the well-known actress - and wildlife campaigner - VIRGINIA McKENNA ! She co-starred with BILL TRAVERS (who played GEORGE ADAMSON - who appears briefly here) in the 1966 film 'Born Free' - hence the reason for her doing the voiceover . Born in 1931, numerous films to her credit..............and still going strong, I'm pleased to report. George was murdered by Somalian bandits in Kenya in 1989. They killed a truly good man........................

[@RAMSEY1987]

marvinc999 thats great but no one speaks like anymore was my point sure she was a great person

[@eltownend]

XD

[@Taiyou536]

+logical fruit 70's :)

[@camdiggity89]

I love how Christian's jaw seems to drop when he realises who they are. So sweet

[@ledfloyd9035]

The dislikes are from the other lions who thought they were getting dinner.

[@Cali_Livin_916]

That's seriously one of the coolest things I've ever seen. This is something you'll probably never see again in our lifetime. When you think about it, it was a win-win for the lion. He either reunites with his friends, or he's got dinner. I can't believe the other lions were cool with them too. That's crazy.

[@aaronstratton8814]

I find it remarkable the lion allowed those men to be around their cubs, you know you truly have their love and trust when

[@ZeroMaverickHunterSCZero]

Christian was like at first: Who dat? Then he was all like : YO! LONG TIME NO SEE HOMIES!! ^^

[@guccigoldstein4395]

Hope Christian lived a long life and did not get killed by Insecure People who find hunting big game an ego trip

[@radaferb]

Christians jaw literally drops when he realises its them. This is the most amazing and moving story ever

[@RameyRocks]

I have seen this many times but stumbled across it and watched it again. It is one of the most heartwarming and precious things I have ever seen in my life! I love it! Brings tears to my eyes everytime

[@RameyRocks]

awww that's so sad. Too bad she didnt know how to feed it. I dont know if I could watch that cuz it would make me sad.

[@chaoticmuffin5692]

Agreed. Seriously I'm a sucker for sweet things like this. Can't help but shed a tear.

[@KazzoKiller3890]

Sarah Bumgarner I read a story about that lioness(somewhere), and she started letting another mother of the same species of the cub the lioness was raising to help feed it.

[@despinam.andrelus7041]

Could not have expressed it better Missi. Gets me every time.

[@autumnwarren1069]

Mission Blue agreed, it makes me want to cry!!! that is so cool, I wish I could have a lion

[@66DoodleGal]

If that's not friendship, I don't know what is.

[@ChloeFloral]

How could anyone dislike this?

[@light-ej7wu]

idk !!!

[@melinanabipour4220]

People who have no heart.

[@erdvilla]

ChloeFloral Jealous hyenas?

[@scarboroughjames7]

ChloeFloral the people who disliked this are Idiots. Plus there are people that log onto youtube just to thumb down videos

[@godson24able]

I was wondering the same exact thing

[@foadrightnow5725]

This reunion never ceases to make my heart smile and my eyes rain.

[@ilovecanines]

So touching, but I feel so sorry for Christian's parents.

[@BIRISHPM]

+ilovecanines Lions should not be in cages. They are meant to roam free. Keeping them in cages is imprisonment and very wrong.

[@bubblinbrownsugar616]

I love the look on George Adamson's face at 1:24. He was the one who told them Christian might not remember them and when he did, the look on his face is like "Well I'll be damned! He does remember them!"

[@Etechization]

There is just something about a cat that size remembering and showing affection to people that is so heart warming!!!

[@Mechknight73]

I heard an interview with Ace and John a few years ago. They said that Christian had a good nature to him right from his earliest days as a cub. The entire pride accepted them because Christian wouldn't allow any dissent. All cats, big or small, can sense personality. Note how domestic cats figure out who the real "cat people" in the room before anyone else does.

[@itgetseasierlessitry]

The commentator is Virginina McKenna, the other star in Born Free. She has devoted her life and sacrficed her successful career as an actress for the care of lions and other wild life. She above all is more than qualified to narrate.

[@aybalabulut4747]

whenever ı watch this video I found myself while crying. what a unique feeling to be loved by this kind of an animal. how can we say that they don't have emotions?

[@billy-joelpawstrong1665]

Can you imagine how magical of an experience that must have been?

[@alixthefunk]

this is one of the most beautiful videos on the internet

[@AfreensHair]

ugh, this video always brings tears to my eyes. love it.

[@opaque1231]

same

[@Gabreya]

Me, too. :,-)

[@osker450]

same

[@churro6449]

I watched this and it made me cry and made me feel happy (and i am sick :(

[@riyalaksmi]

me tooo

[@scarboroughjames7]

Hopefully Christian lived a long life and was not killed by poachers

[@eltownend]

Most likely the poachers :(

[@Daioblis]

+James Scarborough I don't think any hunter would've found anything valuable in this one specific lion. Either way, they've only met a second time after this, and after that, no one's seen Christian again.

[@kimt4512]

basically no one has ever said it outright but is it absolutely necessary to leave a special posh spoilt tame london lion in the dangerous African bush away from the conforts he was used to???

[@nlcrme]

They don't allow poachers on the reserve. It has always been protected. Christian would have been in more danger of other prides. I've been there and it's wonderful place to visit. Simply extraordinary.

[@scarboroughjames7]

I am not the one that wrote the line about poachers

[@teril9692]

I THINK HE LIKED THE BLONDE GUY BETTER LOL

[@LorinZeWolf]

Yeah he was just jumping all over the blonde guy while the brunette stood there awkwardly, trying to lamely pet him all the while.

[@BobaT__]

Maybe cuz he sorta looks like a lion in this video lol

[@teril9692]

+Sandra Fernandez yea

[@Chopper861]

+teri lt must have been his blonde mane

[@BrettonFerguson]

+teri l The blonde guy had a lion haircut.

[@StupidExpensive]

Love is love . This is amazing. The lion was so damn happy to see his people again. It was almost unbelievable . Amazing.

[@bleepbloop858]

It’s insane that this video where we see the lions being so gentle, I feel that we saw actually how powerful they were. Like when they are chasing their prey it’s obvious, but seeing Christian jump up just as a gentle friendly gesture and it almost knocking the boys over, simple because of his size, it was shocking to see the power that he has.

[@bassinblue]

That was unbelievable. My jaw dropped, when the other lion didn't attack the guys, so it just accepted them as friends. That was a shocking thing to see.

[@pepethefrog6809]

Goddammit! I wasn't suppose to cry! dammit!

[@popularloner4279]

IKR LOL Over Here Teary Eyed!

[@acheropefancyraine822]

Its kind of being stupid but i also cried. Maybe am going nutsssssss

[@SIenderplier]

Forest Stalker It's not just those with eyes who cry ;) we have feelz too!

[@johnskylark1527]

Forest Stalker I'm too tough to cry....... I'm..... I'M TOO TOUGH TO CRY!!!

[@Randall_Kildare]

+Forest Stalker yeah... the Irish Folky ballad at the end almost got me too.

[@lindalee6154]

I've viewed this at least 100 times and I cry every time. what an amazing story. worth watching the whole documentary if you haven't seen it already.

[@dsurrey-6559]

That reunion on was really beautiful & touching. Can’t believe Christian would remember them. They obviously showed a lot of love to him when they had him.

[@johndisette8308]

animals are amazing, much more loyal than humans, any animal lover will cry seeing this.

[@smittywerbenjaggermanjensen69]

in not an animal owner and cried when i saw it the first time

[@Baylorchick20]

0:50 Christian dropping his jaw, OMG!!!

[@Dbanj598]

This is how you know psychopaths how you can you dislike this?

[@keysejama5286]

Emmanuel Adebayo they are tiger fans lol

[@rcche3778]

Damn, it takes balls to let a lion just run at you like that. They had no idea whether he really recognized them

[@SirPainsalot]

To allow a wild animal to be free in the wild and to allow it to satisfy its instincts in the wild so it then wouldn't harm you, while at the same time treating it with respect and affection, that's the only way to keep an animal as a friend. Even something as carnivorous as a lion or a crocodile can be happy around you, even without feeding it. If it's kept in a cage, its natural urge to roam free and (in this case) hunt is limited. A lion's pent up urges may one day cause it to kill you. Not in this case, they did the right thing leaving him in the wild. I love this video.

[@Tiddybeth]

+SirPainsalot Totally agree with everything you said.

[@almabalbinamaniago2057]

I wish there were more John and Ace and George and all those who helped in one way or the other..I love this story. it reminds me of "The Little Prince" by a French author. They did everything to nurture Christian and made him live life to the fullest. I love animals and like little kids, if you bring them up well, they will grow up well-- just like Christian... John, Ace and George: congratulations for a job well done! May your tribe increase!! we 💝 you. 🐱🐕🐶🐹🍀🌿🌷🌸🌾🌼🌹🍀🌿💝💝💝George...I know you are in heaven now..we miss you...Christian..you made me cry..I love you, i wish i had a friend like you, someone with pure,unconditional love..💝💝💝

[@almabalbinamaniago2057]

You are forever in our hearts, Christian.💝💝💝

[@CurvyAries]

I cry every time I see this. Love from an animal is so pure and heart melting.

[@Lostlittlelisa78]

Ive seen this story first on a television show then the internet. I must have seen it at least 20 times & I sob every single time! It truly makes my heart rejoice! Lions have always been my favorite animal on earth, especially the males. Their beauty is absolutey majestic. Thank you for rescuing this beautiful creature & showing him whats its like to be loved!!

[@atiemajid8604]

just proved that animals do have emotions and feelings! Since Christian never showed up again after that last hangout, I hope he did live his life well as a lion....maybe he never showed up to put his memories with humans behind since he has his own family.Mixing with human in the wild can be dangerous for lions....remember trusting human kills Cecil!!!

[@shellomello]

Disney should remake this and call it The Lion King II. He's born in captivity, spends his life with people and needs to adjust to life in the wild meanwhile his parents are suffering and he needs to contact the people to help them rejoin the wild with him. His bravery will make him the Lion King and all of the animals will bow down to him for being a hero.

[@Vishnu_Karthik]

They already did its called "Tarzan"

[@shellomello]

***** That's about a man in the wild..not a lion.

[@Daioblis]

+Michelle McNamara Wait..... HE'S A MAN?!

[@BrettonFerguson]

+Michelle McNamara Disney would ruin it.

[@izzym5165]

There is a lion king 2.... It's not very good

[@Sunnivabk]

I can't handle my emotions. This is so adorable

[@rchl7]

This video is like a time capsule. That entire decade was so...different. The agenda was different. It was all about achieving tranquility and peace--in a much different way than we strive for peace today--and yet that decade gave birth to many, many substantial changes. What a wonderful video, thank you for uploading.

[@dunnsriver]

This video brought tears to my eyes. Animals can remember the good in people, but humans cant even acknowledge good in others

[@kdsingh5603]

the way i felt after watching this can't be put in words.. its just amazing !

[@surfinytube]

it's all good my brother your no less a man ! I"m 47 work construction and don't have a problem showing emotions for stuff like this ! most inspiring and mind blowing !! take care dude

[@kyesniper]

The message people should get from this video, is that things like this are not isolated to lions, most animals are the same, and hopefully people will one day realize this. I had a horse when i was younger, my dad sold him, i saw him out in a field 10 years later, apparently he didn't like to come in, but he came right up to me like he always used to. All animals have their own unique personalities, hopefully people will see that soon :)

[@Serasia]

Well, just wow. My heart still melts when I see this and I've watched it a couple times. The lion walking towards them with his mouth slightly open reminds me of my family's dogs (because they're both big animals). Most of the time it's playful, or they're just hot or thirsty, and then the head butting and rubbing, and the grabbing with paws that Christian did, reminds me of my family's cats. :) It's amazing the other lions were cool with the whole thing because of Christian.

[@tonikeesbury6054]

No matter what this video will NEVER get old. It brings tears to my eyes.

[@thedarci1368]

Love transcends all ....everything.... when I am feeling down I try to watch this to lift my spirits up again:)

[@BobbyTucker]

I always get a warm fuzzy feeling when I watch these videos about "Christian" and his two 'foster parents', there's a bond between them that time cannot break. Wonderful.

[@redenajean]

I don't care how many times I watch this, it still moves me!

[@a.r0023]

The 1025 dislikes are from people without any friends.

[@candyg06]

the sweetest most beautiful gesture shown by a predator to its prey... can't help but be touched. this is love!

[@yvonneaguero1776]

I never tire of seeing this video over and over again through the years.

[@fitihab]

If only Christian could speak! This makes me cry every time! Even if you are dead, your love lives forever!

[@BrandonPilotto]

This is clearly something that needs to be passed down from generation to generation. Very touching.

[@truebloodfreak06]

the more i try not to cry, the more i actually do cry christian's story is what inspired me most to pursue my career with wildlife

[@ChaseSevereWeather]

I remember seeing this YEARS ago! I cried when they reunited!!!

[@astiarafli7169]

I cried! it is touching! indeed!

[@59771006]

I was a fan of lions before I owed this documentary on DVD but this documentary has made me a even bigger fan they are my all time favourite animal.

[@shanedawson59]

Anything that truly comes from the heart is never forgotten!

[@juliawagner2863]

Aww. I've never seen a lion huggin a human. The feels...

[@TheAdamewing]

I watch this whenever I feel bad. It always helps.

[@AngiesJonesPoetry]

touching video

[@AngryRockMan]

I don't think my reaction to a charging lion would be to smile and expect a hug. But dang does this video bring a smile to my face

[@tssnmm]

This will nvr fail to bring sweet tears to my eyes...every time.

[@overthinker_overanalyser]

The depth of love between Christian and John and Ace is truly inspiring 💙💚💛

[@traceybishop6426]

I still cry when I watch this 😭😭😭 What a memorable story.💞💞

[@captpicard100]

The most moving, wonderful, incredible, phenomenally uplifting piece of film I have ever seen. I still cannot watch it without crying with complete joy at The moment when Christian jumps up and hugs his remembered friends, truly wonderful

[@leew11k]

Best hug ever

[@Paminlp]

The joy of the lion get me every time.

[@khappell2]

What a fantastic video! I was moved to tears when I saw the change in Christian as his mind moved from plain curiosity to the joy of recognition... We should always be so kind to God's creatures that they remember us with joy - and not hate. Leave them in the wild if you can, but if you have no choice, then love them this much... thankyou :)

[@elizabethczepiel5220]

As long as no game hunters are allowed anywhere near the Foundation, Christian and his pride will continue to flourish! Love this clip

[@Killzone8428]

What a beautiful story :') The lion must have been so happy

[@georgekafantaris7807]

i never get sick of seeing this

[@Nadeshan_]

Most beautiful documentary I've ever seen. Love it.

[@user-xi1dt4wu5t]

半信半疑で教科書読んでたけど、本当だったんだ すごいな本当の愛と友情は。

[@valeriyarocks3456]

That was definitely a beautiful reuniting moment! Most touching story I've seen.

[@versiefranklin67]

I love this video! Made me cry tears of joy!😅

[@jennifergrant5991]

I can't ever get enough of this! I watch different videos each night... God bless you, Ace & John!

[@adityamenon]

The _awwwwws_ are strong in this one.

[@lizross9285]

Just beautiful.

[@ColourIsPurple]

every time i see that video i sweal up in tears! ;(

[@sharon34ization]

on the right road definitely !! Thank you for giving Christian a chance!!! we need more people like you guys out there! Thank you and Happy Holiday's

[@jtpinnyc]

In case anyone's wondering, the music is "Christian The Lion" by Pentangle. That's Bert Jansch singing.

[@TheAdamewing]

Way to go from unprecedented happiness to super depressing with the second part about his parents spending the rest of their lives in a cage.

[@precious888]

this video made me cry buckets... 😢😢😢❤❤❤ so beautifulllll

[@susieqgumina55]

Such a beautiful & true story. It made me cry. What an awesome reunion!!! Great story & what a great way to start my day!!! Thankyou ❤🐯🐯🐯

[@despinam.andrelus7041]

The love here pulls my heartstrings in a really big way. So beautiful. Truly incredible. "A righteous man regards the life of animals" - PROVERBS 12:10; "If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion & pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men" - ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI; "Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way." - MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.; "I hope to make people realize how totally helpless animals are, how dependent on us, trusting as a child must that we will be kind and take care of their needs... (They) are an obligation put on us, a responsibility we have no rights to neglect, nor to violate by cruelty...." - JAMES HARRIOT; "The greatness of a nation & its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" - MAHATMA GANDHI

[@DouglasNewson]

Nice video animals should be free and not in cages

[@sri.srinivasanvenkatraman3806]

Excellent. Felt GREAT. Thank you.

[@Tiddybeth]

RIP Joy and George Adams you did such good work. The World misses you.

[@beerrunner8153]

Puts a big smile on my face.

[@silviavanacore3948]

Probably one of the most emotional days of their life!!!

[@heathervalentino2147]

OMG This video always makes me cry..I love you Christian 💋💋💋❤❤❤

[@piu2024]

This is truely incredible & wonderful story....have watched it so many times...& every time its been a sheer delight to watch it...its definitely one of the best videos depicting the beautiful relationship between man & wild.

[@kathrynparrosj1119]

Im crying! oh god i wish i had this kind of connection with such a beautiful and powerful animal!

[@eggmancorp]

I cry everytime

[@adeledimperio5081]

BEAUTIFUL - Every single one!

[@melaniexoxo]

I love this video so much. I have to watch it every once in awhile.