The king of beasts gets the right royal treatment on the five-storey-high IMAX cinema screen.

And it's a sight to frighten even David Attenborough as the old monarch clashes with a young pretender.

No Disney cartoon this, but the real thing filmed on the African plains in all its graceful and gory glory.

The film, which is suitable for all but the smallest children, follows a lion family for a year.

Papa spends most of his time under a tree while his two mates -- lioness sisters -- do the hunting.

Meanwhile a young lion prowls the perimeter of the king's territory, occasionally roaring a challenge in the night.

The threat grows after one lioness gives birth and has to hide her cubs away from the adult lions.

The final showdown between the male beasts isn't as impressive as the numerous shots of lionesses bringing down prey.

But there's plenty to enjoy during this documentary, particularly the sequences shot in 3D.

* Several times daily, National Media Museum, Bradford. Phone 0870 701 0200.

David Knights