The Ghost and the Darkness

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Starring: Michael Douglas
Rated: R (Restricted)
Type: DVD
Directed By: Stephen Hopkins
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: 1998-12-01
Running Time: 109 minutes
East africa 1896. Two lions on a man-eating rampage have shut down the construction of a railway. Big-game hunter remington and construction engineer patterson set out to stop these unstoppable monsters. But in this astonishing tale of man vs. Beast the hunters become the hunted. Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 01/25/2005 Starring: Michael Douglas Val Kilmer Run time: 109 minutes Rating: R Director: Stephen Hopkins

Grandson loves this movie
My grandson loved this movie and requested it for his birthday. As soon as we gave it to him he opened it and watched it right away.
Thank you!!

Exciting, Beautiful but Above All - Cool
Two male lions kill lots of people. Sounds cool, and it bloody well is. The Ghost and the Darkness is, by all accounts, a thrilling experience to sit through. It's far from being a perfect film, and yet it's a film that's somehow impossible to hate, or even dislike. There's lots of animal attack galore to be found here, yet it never quite overrides the overall visual appeal of it all.

In 1898, Irish Colonel John Patterson is sent to the river Tsavo, Africa, to construct a railroad bridge - forcing him to leave his pregnant wife behind in London. Upon arriving in Africa, Patterson learns of a rampant lion on the loose. He quickly manages to kill it, raising the morale of the workers. This, however, proves to be entirely deceptive. Soon after, two male lions start to prey on the workers - chillingly, they appear to kill for sport rather than food. All efforts to stop them are in vain until hunter Charles Remington arrives to help Patterson rid Tsavo, and the workers, of this threat. But the lions (called the Ghost and the Darkness by the workers) are smart, and disposing of them won't be easy even with Remington in league.

This premise is based on a real-life account by John Patterson, and it was practically destined for a movie adaptation. While it is quite true that the movie differentiates on Patterson's account in many ways (Remington is entirely fictional), it's all for the benefit of this film. The actual lions were maneless, yet for the sake of the movie's aesthetics, the fully-maned lions (Bongo and Caesar) strike a more impressive image. The easiness with which the lions kill is also a tad exaggerated, but then, again, the film is all the more suspenseful for it. A big plus is that the cinematography of this movie is fantastic. One of the scenes in particular - where we first truly see one of the lions kill and eat a worker before our very eyes - is fabulously staged and filmed. In fact, it's one of those movie moments that have edged themselves permanently into my memory - the most artistic, even beautiful piece of animal gore filmmaking you could find (nothing too queasy). The movie deservedly won an Oscar for Best Special Effects (the lions's growls, roars and chomps send shivers down my spine for one), and the African-flavoured score by Jerry Goldsmith is wonderful.

The characters leave a lot to be desired, though. Val Kilmer is utterly unconvincing as John Patterson, and this doesn't just reach to his lack of even attempting to adopt an Irish accent. Remington is more interesting, but it's a shame he doesn't have more screen time. There are also moments when the staging reveals itself to be flawed, in particular the hospital attack scene. The cutting disrupts the continuity and flow of the scene rather than supports it - sometimes you can even plainly see that those are animatronic lions. Mostly, however, it's real lions in all their glory.

This movie isn't for everyone. Despite the savageness, the lions and their attacks are almost sophisticated to behold, and it's perhaps this that's the most thrilling aspect of the film. There are no special features to be found on this DVD, but then this movie is interesting enough as it is. And besides, not every piece of filmmaking has to be the Lord of the Rings, so to speak. Some movies are at their best just being 'cool', as well as believable. The Ghost and the Darkness is, by all accounts, a 'cool' film - and there's nothing wrong with that. This is the best enactment of lion attacks you could find in a movie, and I myself have never seen more aesthetic filmwork on lions. Could be more concrete, but definitely worth a view, for beauty as well as excitement.

Lions Kill People...you know you are interested
The Ghost and the Darkness
Upon going to a friend's house, we decided to watch a movie. He had a large selection of movies both him and I had never heard of. We just picked out one with an interesting case and slid it in. The Ghost and the Darkness is what we got. Surprisingly, this movie is a much better experience than one would think. The story is a little farfetched, but not enough so you feel alienated from the story.

John Patterson is sent to Africa to build a bridge. This story takes place in the late 1800s when many European countries were attempting to control Africa. Patterson is sent to build a bridge that would complete a railroad. Upon arriving in Africa, Patterson learns that a lion have attacked a man and killed him. Patterson accepts the responsibility of hunting the lion. Later that night he kills the lion in a single shot. The worker's morale is up do to the thought of safety. Soon another lion threat arrives. Two lions begin attacking the workers. The workers believe they are legendary lions known as The Ghost and The Darkness. Patterson must kill these lions to ensure the workers survive and build the bridge.

The story may sound a bit ridiculous, but you learn to love it. The scenery used in this movie is fantastic. My complaint is that sometimes the lighting is too absent. It is hard to see the characters or lions. This is 1996 though, so lighting does not come as easy. The music in the movie works very well. Suspense is perfectly implemented.

One problem in this movie is the lifeless characters. They try to be characters, not normal human beings. Patterson is flat and boring. The workers are also hurt by trying to be a character instead of a person. Remington, a world-renowned hunter, brings life to this film. Sadly, he only appears near the end of the viewing.

There is some light gore in this movie. You do not see anything, but blood flies all over the place. At one point in the film, there is a giant mass of blood in the middle of the field. This is probably all okay for any mature child. However, if lions attacking people frightens them, this may not be for them.

There are not any extras available on this DVD. This works as a cool movie. Watching the cunning lions is interesting. You just have to accept the story for what it is. I recommend giving this one a rent at least.

too dark
most of this movie is filmed in the dark & you can't see half of what is going on. Plot was good but it needed to be a lot lighter.

Africa movie
My boyfriend hunts in Africa so I got this for him before he went on his trip