Product Description

In 1974, the South African apartheid regime was under worldwide condemnation, and the country was banned from the Olympic Games and almost all international sporting events. In defiance of the developing international policy to isolate South Africa, the British and Irish Lions rugby team accepted the invitation to tour the country and play a test series against their ancient rivals, the legendary Springboks. This decision invoked a fierce reaction from the media and public, and the government disowned the team.

The resulting series was one of the most violent the Lions ever played and the 22 matches produced remarkable rugby, including some of the most memorable tries in any series. After winning match after match, their captain christened them 'The Invincibles'.

With footage showing Nelson Mandela's anti-apartheid movement and what life under the regime really meant for black South Africans, this film is a celebration of a remarkable rugby team and a poignant reminder of the scale of change in South Africa since that landmark tour.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2070 in DVD
• Released on: 2009-06-15
• Rating: Exempt
• Format: PAL
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 92 minutes

Synopsis
This programme captures the British and Irish Lions rugby teams touring South Africa during a time of tense historic unrest. In 1974 the country's apartheid regime led to them being banned from most international sporting events. Despite protest, the Lions accepted South Africa's invitation to play a test series and played 22 glorious games of cricket--winning 21. Match footage is cut with scenes from Nelson Mandela's anti-apartheid movement, creating an emotive souvenir of an unforgettable tour.

Customer Reviews

Very interesting potted history of the '74 Lions Tour to SA
This is a good potted history of the '74 Lions tour to South Africa. I was only 5 when the tour took place and couldn't remember watching any of it on TV, so the DVD helps fill in some of the missing gaps for me.

The DVD concentrates on interviews with several of the Lions (mainly Willie John, Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, JJ Williams, JPR Williams, Andy Irvine and Fergus Slattery, together with the South African perspective).

Perhaps my only criticism is that not enough time was spent on the actual rugby, particularly the provincial games, but this may be due to the scarcity of film, rather than anything else!

All in all a good DVD and definately worth watching if you are a Lions fan!

Good DVD, covering most aspects of a legendry team on a legendry tour
As a South African I enjoyed this DVD, mostly because it was presented in the light of giving the facts of rugby in that era. The Lions defeated South Africa's greatest rivals, the All-Blacks,in 1971 proving that British rugby was on a high. South Africa, in the grip of political turmiol was not a bad side, many of the Springboks playing in the 74 series defeated the All-Blacks in the 1976 series, the Lions was simply better. One mistake as far as I know, is the claim that the 1974 Lions was the first team to defeat South Africa in a series in South Africa since the 1896 British Isles team, the French defeated us in 1958! But overall very enjoyable as a rugby history enthusiast.