The Lion and the Kiwi

This National Film Unit documentary follows the British Lions 1959 rugby tour to New Zealand. Prior to live televised sports coverage, match highlights were rushed onto cinema screens; NFU tour coverage was later edited into this feature length doco. On the field the series was won by the All Blacks 3-1, including the first test where Don Clarke famously kicked six penalties to beat the Lions’ four tries. Off the field, the Lions visited farms and resorts, drove trout and tried Māori song and dance with guide Rangi. A star back for the Lions was Peter Jackson. 

Heartbreak came early in the series as the Lions suffered their cruellest defeat, scoring four tries to the All Blacks' none but losing the first test by a single point as New Zealand full-back Don Clarke kicked a world-record six penalties, the last to win the game just two minutes from time. That promoted one headline that stated: Clarke 18, Lions 17.

– From the official Lions rugby website

Key Cast & Crew

Oxley Hughan

Producer

David H Fowler

Writer, Editor

Peter Gwynne

Narrator

Selwyn Toogood

Narrator

Claude Wickstead

Sound

Kell Fowler

Camera