Good to hear from someone who has actually been there and done it.
I've heard that the PH community over there is pretty tight, interesting that you knew someone who knew the PH in the film --- cool.
Regarding remote/away from home big game hunts (primarily elk in the Rockies), I'm fond of saying that, part of "adventure" is "mis-adventure." Perhaps this lion hunt was "just one of those times" where things didn't go "just right." I like your phrase,
"Thats just the way things go sometimes. It would be nice if it was a easy as the first shot. But those of us with any experience know it doesn't always work that way."
In addition to the African game pix those are some nice whitetail pix (and other NA game) on your web page too.
Good for you,
EKM