The Ghost and the Darkness is a 1996 adventure thriller film starring
Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer, set in Africa at the end of the 19th
century.
A man bringing modern transportation to the ancient jungles of Africa
discovers one of man's oldest enemies lays in wait for him in this period
adventure drama. John Beaumont (Tom Wilkinson) is the owner of a British
railroad firm who is building a rail line through Uganda. A bridge is needed so
that the tracks may cross a large river, and engineer John Henry Patterson (Val
Kilmer) is summoned to the African nation to supervise construction.
While Beaumont has placed Patterson under a strict deadline, the bridge
designer is certain that with his guidance, the local laborers will be able to
complete the job in time. However, when several workers are killed in an attack
by a lion, Patterson is forced to deal with the animal; while he bags a lion who
invades the work site one evening, it soon becomes obvious that there's more
than one predator in the nearby jungle.
The lion attacks continue, eventually claiming the lives of 130 men, and
Patterson and Beaumont finally agree to call in Charles Remmington (Michael
Douglas), an expert hunter who understands the nature of the man-eaters and
knows how to lure them into his trap. The Ghost and the Darkness is based on a
true story, which was previously brought to the screen in 1953, in Arch
Oboler's pioneering 3-D adventure Bwana Devil.
Awards
- Academy Awards USA 1997 – Won Oscar Best Effects, Sound Effects
Editing
- American Society of Cinematographers 1997 – Nominated Outstanding
Achievement in Cinematography in Theatrical Releases
The Ghost and the Darkness Reviews
“A rousingly effective ‘man versus beast’ yarn in the great
tradition of Jaws and Moby Dick.” Boxoffice Magazine
“Africa is always a sensational setting for drama, and this arresting
story – since it’s based on real events about two murderous lions –
takes us there with all the excitement of the hunt, which is made acceptable by
the uncharacteristically vicious behaviour of the lions. (The title refers to
the names the locals gave these two.) Entertaining and often exciting, the film
falls short of greatness ..but is certainly top entertainment.” Urban
Cinefile
“A compelling experience because it is true and because it is
photographed with such panoramic intensity.” Jam! Movies
