Lions 3D

"Lions 3D: Roar of the Kalahari," is a compelling giant-screen film by Tim Liversedge for National Geographic. The film, originally filmed in traditional 2-D format under the title “Roar: Lions of the Kalahari,” has been repurposed for the giant IMAX screen in a larger-than-life 3-D film format, the first time an entire live-action giant screen film has been digitally converted from the original flat format to 3-D

Filmed entirely in the wild, "Lions 3D" carries the audience deep into Botswana's Kalahari Desert where the life-and-death struggle between a real lion king and a fierce, young contender determined to oust him from his throne unfolds. Viewers will be shaken in their seats by one of nature's loudest sounds - the roars of dueling lions - delivered by the most powerful theatre sound system in the world.

The drama poignantly weaves together the day-to-day life of lions with the suspense of rivalry. Here, one of the largest lions to walk the arid lands of the Kalahari - a 10-foot giant - reigns with his lionesses and cubs. A nomad comes to claim the territory for his own, gradually encroaching until an ultimate battle between the two determines the fate of all.

An epic story of power and dominance, success and failure, "Lions 3D" was filmed in the stark expanse of Botswana's Kalahari Desert. Filmmaker Tim Liversedge's more than 40 years of experience in the region allowed unparalleled detail the natural behaviour of lions, their prey and the incredible profusion of life congregated at a single water source for 100 miles around. Balancing suspense and action with insightful information, Liversedge delivers a passionate film that will thrill audiences worldwide.

After more than 18 months of producing and shooting the film in the wild, Liversedge partnered with National Geographic to undertake the complex digital post-production.

"Lions 3D" is set around an isolated watering hole teaming with wildlife. Powerful, close-up images and a complex sound design put the audience right there at the site. Zebra herds trot by close enough to touch. An elephant trumpets thunderously from the screen. A soaring flight is taken over vast and harsh landscapes.

"My aim was to give audiences the experience of what it is like to be gazing up at the star-filled skies over the Kalahari, to have the thrill of hearing two lions engaged in a roaring duel, or to sit at the edge of a water hole a few feet from elephants bathing in the moonlight," said Liversedge.

The filmmaker has masterfully used the magic of the giant screen to tell his story. "Tim is alone in his ability to capture this particular story so beautifully. His is an incredible talent," said Truitt.

Through relentless dust storms and in surface temperatures that soared to 130˚F. "Filming 'Lions 3D' was one of the most challenging and exciting times of my life," Liversedge said. "The lions were so close at times that they brushed my tripod and used me and my camera as cover to hide behind to try and get closer to their prey."

The result is unparalleled film footage of one of the most charismatic animals on earth. "Perhaps the most spectacular shot I got was captured when a springbok leapt 10 feet straight up into the air to be brought down by a lioness right in front of my 70 mm camera. They both crashed to the ground a few feet in front of me."

The 3-D re-versioning of the film aims to create an even more thrilling experience for the viewer. It is also the first giant screen film to be created with a fully digital intermediate, each of its 60,000 frames was scanned to seamlessly blend film formats.

“Lions 3D: Roar of the Kalahari” and “Roar: Lions of the Kalahari” are Tim Liversedge productions for National Geographic Television and are distributed by National Geographic Giant Screen Films. Tim Liversedge is the director, executive producer and director of cinematography. Lisa Truitt and Tim Kelly are executive producers. June Liversedge and Jini Durr are producers. Eleanor Grant is the writer. Richard Jones is a cinematographer. Music is composed by James S. Levine. Editors are Lori Petersen Waite and Mark Fletcher.

Note: This film was originally screened at IMAX in 2D under the title "Roar: Lions of the Kalahari", this is a 3D version of the same film.