Napoleon and Samantha (1972)

In this tear-jerking film, Napoleon is an 11 year old boy being brought up in the Rocky Mountains by his grandfather. Napoleon has befriended a circus clown, and when the clown has to return to Europe, Napoleon agrees to look after the clown's ageing lion. Contrary to popular belief he's a gentle creature, so boy and animal form a friendship. But then Napoleon's world is turned upside down when his grandfather dies. Suddenly he has no guardian and the authorities threaten to separate him from his beloved pet. So he runs away with the lion and his friend Samantha. They embark on a perilous journey through the wilderness, where weather and wild animals threaten their survival, and their only support comes from a mountain man. With the police in hot pursuit they fight to survive and stay together in this thrilling adventure.