The Lions Roar of 74 on DVD brings together two programmes to provide the complete story of the famous 1974 Lions Tour to South Africa. It was a Tour which saw the Lions return undefeated and subsequently to be referred to as The Invincibles.
Programme 1: At home with the Invincibles
An intimate interview with 5 legends from the 1974 Lions tour to South Africa. Featuring Willie John McBride (1974 Lions Captain), Ian McGeechan (2009 Lions Head Coach), Andy Ripley, Mike Burton and Roger Uttley. Running time approximately 95 minutes.
In 1974 a rugby union team set out to achieve what many sage observers felt was next to impossible – to defeat the Springboks on their own home patch in deepest, apartheid-era South Africa. A generation later, ESPN Classic re-unites a whole host of the key players, inside a scrum-sized TV studio, to explain just how they did it. A clue surely lies in the fact that, even by fifteen-a-side standards, this was one of the most violently-contested rugby union series on record. The men involved explain the true meaning of the ‘99’ call from their infamous captain, Willie John McBride, here. And happily reveal the fact that it had precious little to do with either ice-cream cones or mini-Flakes...
This interview was filmed on 30th November 2007.
Programme 2: Recall of 99 - A Pride of Lions 1974 - the 25th anniversary reunion of the 1974 Lions Tour (also currently available as 'A Pride of Lions 1971 & 1974 - The Golden Age of Lions Rugby' DVD, Catalogue number GUDVD5228)
The 1974 Tour of the Lions to South Africa was undoubtedly the most controversial and challenging tour in rugby history. Apartheid was at its height, the Labour government was opposed to the Tour, and the Springboks had never lost a series on home soil!
Intimidation has always been part of the game in South Africa but the Springboks were not prepared for the now legendary call from Captain Willie John Mcbride of '99'. This was a call to arms for the Lions and signalled a massive all out attack on the opposition. This was not a Tour for the faint-hearted!.
Action starts with the first Tour game against Eastern Province but Newlands was the scene of the First Test. Extraordinarily a large proportion of the huge crowd - the so-called Second Class Citizens - were supporting The Lions in a case of sports and politics being inextricably linked.
The Tour was littered with spectacular tries and glorious play from the likes of Phil Bennett, JJ Williams, Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams. The 28-9 victory in the 2nd Test was called the worst defeat ever by the South African Team, setting up the 3rd Test at Port Elizabeth, the home of punch-ups. The match was so important to the Springboks nation that the Minister of Sport for South Africa gave the team talk. Yet another sensational victory clinched the series for the Lions.
This DVD features all the best footage from the Test matches and provincial games, as well as interviews from the players taken both during the Tour itself and from a series of subsequent reunions at Edinburgh, Dublin, Cardiff and London in aid of the Rugby Charity the Wooden Spoon Society.
Bonus Programme 3: British & Irish Lions 1971 Tour to New Zealand (also currently available as 'A Pride of Lions 1971 & 1974 - The Golden Age of Lions Rugby' DVD, Catalogue number GUDVD5228)
They were arguably the greatest-ever Lions test side of all, and the first ever to triumph over the All Blacks, in 1971.
This fascinating HTV film shows rare behind-the-scenes footage of the famous New Zealand tour where the triumvirate of John Dawes (captain), Carwyn James (coach) and Doug Smith (manager) guided a legendary assembly of British Isles rugby talent to unprecedented success - an historic two Test to one series victory.
Rugby purists cannot only see their heroes in action but enjoy some of the players' personal recollections at a 25th anniversary reunion in aid of the Wooden Spoon Rugby Charity - around which event this programme is based.
The Lions Roar of 74 on DVD brings together two excellent programmes - one of recent interviews with Lions heroes, the other featuring rare match footage and recollections - to provide the complete story of the 1974 British & Lions Tour to South Africa.
