Lion King Simba looks out on his realm in Welsh mountains
TWO movie fans carried a lifesize model of a lion to the top of a famous Welsh peak – to recreate a much-loved scene from Disney’s Lion King.
It was carried up the 2,000ft Sugar Loaf mountain, near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, in time for sunrise so the two film buffs could copy the epic shot.
Steve Bancroft and friend Mark Taylor pushed the 40kg lion on a trolley as far as they could – then hauled it by hand to the top.
Steve, 57, said: “We set off at 4.30am and reached the top by 5.55am – just in time for sunrise.
“It was very steep at the top and although the lion wasn’t too heavy, it was an awkward shape and by the end we were sweating buckets.
“We wanted to get there in time for sunrise so it could be like the Lion King scene.”
In the original Disney movie Simba looks out from Pride Rock at his sprawling kingdom below as it booms with life.
Steve’s recreation shows the replica lion overlooking the rolling green hills and fields below.
Steve said: “Obviously from a distance it would look very realistic, but up close you can tell it is a prop.
“Because we were there so early we only saw one person up the mountain – a woman who also arrived in time for sunrise. She was really impressed.”
Steve owns the lion as part of his Events Prop Shop in Cwmbran.
He said: “I always get asked by clients how the props look.
“Although they are usually used in hotels and parties, I like to put them in striking locations as it can inspire people to see the setting more.”
In a similar effort last year he carried a replica statue of Christ the Redeemer up the Twmbarlwm peak