African Film Archive

Simba: The King of the Beasts

1928 — Martin E. Johnson, Osa Johnson — United States

documentary · documentary, expedition film · pre-history

Filmed over four years between 1924 and 1927 on the Johnsons' second expedition to Kenya, this silent documentary tracks lions across the veld on foot safari, alongside broader footage of Kenyan wildlife and peoples.

Fun fact: Kodak founder George Eastman visited the Johnsons in the field during the Kenyan trek, reportedly filming some of the expedition himself on his own camera.

Notes: Non-African-directed American expedition documentary, included per methodology as clearly labeled pre-history era work. Simba is Swahili for lion, taken directly as the title.

Verification: verified · Sources: [1] [2] [3]

Poster source: Wikipedia