But this helped to keep him unusually subdued, and he only scattered the crew a few times. Bill and James were familiar with filming animals, and were very patient and undemanding. Christian, bored with the normal shop routine, enjoyed the day and was so cooperative that Bill described him as a "one-take lion." We were to participate fully in the filming, and could forget about the cameras by concentrating rather intensely on Christian, who performed magnificently. Unfortunately, our few lines of dialogue were later dubbed in excruciatingly broad Australian accents, as our voices sounded "too English."
The following day we filmed at the Moravian Close, but Christian resented sharing his garden with so many other people and was very uncooperative. This was probably because of his strong territorial claim, and although he loved chasing soccer balls, that day he totally ignored them. Bill and James wanted to film some slow-motion sequences, but when we finally succeeded in getting Christian to run or move, he stopped as soon as he heard the noisy slow-motion camera. Eventually, with no other alternative, we broke all our rules by encouraging him to chase us. We were irresistible and Christian could not believe his luck. Despite our torn clothing, the result was an enjoyable and worthwhile day's filming.
Several days later we saw the rushes of the first two days of filming. Christian looked beautiful, the slow-motion sequences of him running and playing were stunning, and none of us, not even Bill or Virginia, had seen a lion in slow motion before. For the first time we really appreciated his strength, power, and perfect coordination.
This might have been Christian's last visit to the garden, because the Moravian minister, although extremely fond of him, had reluctantly told us that he could no longer exercise there. Like most other people, he had been very tolerant, but other people had access to the garden and could not now be expected to cope with Christian's boisterousness as we could. The day he had obstinately refused to get off the roof of the minister's car might also have been an influencing factor. But when we told him that we expected to be in Kenya in a few weeks' time, he kindly compromised by allowing us to come to the garden at 6:30 A.M. Our lives had to be considerably readjusted, and Christian was now finding his life at Sophistocat increasingly monotonous and frustrating. He needed his day to be broken by an afternoon outing, so the early-morning exercise did not suit him either. Bill suggested building a compound for Christian in the garden at their house at Leith Hill near Dorking in Surrey, so that the three of us could live there until we left for Kenya.
When the compound was completed, Christian left the King's Road and London forever. Many of his World's End friends gathered to say good-bye. After living for several weeks fearing an accident, it was a relief to leave only pleasant memories behind. But we were also sad; our five very happy, unrepeatable months with Christian in London were over.
B ill and Virginia's house at Leith Hill was surrounded by an attractive, rambling garden. Although only thirty miles from London, it overlooked a valley of unspoiled countryside. When we arrived, their children and dogs were safely inside the house, and Christian had a taste of the freedom that awaited him in Africa. For the first time in his life he could do exactly what he wanted to do. He ran around the lawns, occasionally sniffing daffodils, and into the woods through the bluebells. It was a beautiful but incongruous setting for a lion. He continually came back to us to show how happy he was.
It was necessary that Christian should live in the compound, but luckily he seemed very pleased with it. It measured twenty-five yards by fifteen, and it enclosed a huge tree, several shrubs, and a colorful gypsy caravan. He was so excited that his first reaction was to climb the tree, but as he had never climbed one
The following day we filmed at the Moravian Close, but Christian resented sharing his garden with so many other people and was very uncooperative. This was probably because of his strong territorial claim, and although he loved chasing soccer balls, that day he totally ignored them. Bill and James wanted to film some slow-motion sequences, but when we finally succeeded in getting Christian to run or move, he stopped as soon as he heard the noisy slow-motion camera. Eventually, with no other alternative, we broke all our rules by encouraging him to chase us. We were irresistible and Christian could not believe his luck. Despite our torn clothing, the result was an enjoyable and worthwhile day's filming.
Several days later we saw the rushes of the first two days of filming. Christian looked beautiful, the slow-motion sequences of him running and playing were stunning, and none of us, not even Bill or Virginia, had seen a lion in slow motion before. For the first time we really appreciated his strength, power, and perfect coordination.
This might have been Christian's last visit to the garden, because the Moravian minister, although extremely fond of him, had reluctantly told us that he could no longer exercise there. Like most other people, he had been very tolerant, but other people had access to the garden and could not now be expected to cope with Christian's boisterousness as we could. The day he had obstinately refused to get off the roof of the minister's car might also have been an influencing factor. But when we told him that we expected to be in Kenya in a few weeks' time, he kindly compromised by allowing us to come to the garden at 6:30 A.M. Our lives had to be considerably readjusted, and Christian was now finding his life at Sophistocat increasingly monotonous and frustrating. He needed his day to be broken by an afternoon outing, so the early-morning exercise did not suit him either. Bill suggested building a compound for Christian in the garden at their house at Leith Hill near Dorking in Surrey, so that the three of us could live there until we left for Kenya.
When the compound was completed, Christian left the King's Road and London forever. Many of his World's End friends gathered to say good-bye. After living for several weeks fearing an accident, it was a relief to leave only pleasant memories behind. But we were also sad; our five very happy, unrepeatable months with Christian in London were over.
B ill and Virginia's house at Leith Hill was surrounded by an attractive, rambling garden. Although only thirty miles from London, it overlooked a valley of unspoiled countryside. When we arrived, their children and dogs were safely inside the house, and Christian had a taste of the freedom that awaited him in Africa. For the first time in his life he could do exactly what he wanted to do. He ran around the lawns, occasionally sniffing daffodils, and into the woods through the bluebells. It was a beautiful but incongruous setting for a lion. He continually came back to us to show how happy he was.
It was necessary that Christian should live in the compound, but luckily he seemed very pleased with it. It measured twenty-five yards by fifteen, and it enclosed a huge tree, several shrubs, and a colorful gypsy caravan. He was so excited that his first reaction was to climb the tree, but as he had never climbed one
Similar Books
