Roar

These extraordinary photos were taken in 1971 by LIFE photographer Michael Rougier documenting the time that Tippi Hedren, her husband Noel Marshall and daughter Melanie Griffith, just 19 at the time, lived with a pet lion called Neil.

Living with a lion was research for what became Roar - the most dangerous film ever made. Shot over 11 years with around 150 wild animals the film cost an estimated $17 Million and made just $2 Million in return.

70 members of cast and crew were injured during the shoot. DOP Jan De Bont (who went on to direct Speed) had his scalp lifted by a lion and required 220 stitches. Hedren was bitten in the neck, Griffith received 50 stitches for a facial wound and Marshall, who also Directed and Produced the film, was attacked so many times he was eventually diagnosed with gangrene.

1971// Living with a Lion