The Ghost And The Darkness (1996)
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1996 Ben Hoffman
Michael Douglas, who with Steven Reuther, is one of the producers of the film, said: "It's an incredible thriller based on events that actually took place. It recounts the struggle of a man attempting to control the environment and the dangers of a culture trying to impose itself on another. In many ways it is a reflection of what is going on today."
East Africa, about 1886. The British are trying to build a bridge to carry their rains. The product they and other countries are trying to get is ivory. Putting a large crimp in their plans are two seemingly uncanny lions who attack the workers wherever they may be and despite the traps that are laid to catch them. To the natives it seems very strange that the lions seem to know the plans of those who would kill them and they strike different areas. This is why the workers have dubbed the lions "The Ghost" and The Darkness."
The film's best asset is that it sticks as much as possible to what really happened back in 1886, Knowing this is a true account adds greatly to the enjoyment of the film as we watch bridge- builder engineer John Patterson (Val Kilmer) and wild game hunter, Remington (Michael Douglas) set out to kill the lions and get on with the job of building the bridge.
Here we have an exciting story with the kings of the animal world vs. Man, set in Africa with one hair-raising scene after another. Nothing like those two eerie lions has happened before or since according to writer William Goldman. Samuel, (John Kani, who is an actor, director and playwright) is the African contact who assists Patterson and Remington as they try to seek out the lions and destroy them.
The film is well-acted, the music (Jerry Goldsmith), is excellent and the scenes of the wildlife of Africa are beautiful.
Directed by Stephen Hopkins
Rating: 3 bytes
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