The Ghost and the Darkness

Starring: Val Kilmer, Michael Douglas, Tom Wilkinson

Synopsis:

1898: Col John Patterson (Kilmer), a construction engineer with the British Army, is commissioned to complete the construction of a railway bridge in Tsavo, East Africa, before the French and Germans complete theirs. Upon arrival he discovers the project in disarray and the camp under siege by a lion. Patterson kills a lion on that first night, allaying the workers’ fears and boosting morale. But it isn’t long before another lion begins killing the workers. This one is intelligent and cunning, and attacks at all hours day or night. Patterson’s attempts to kill it are thwarted each time, so hunter Charles Remington (Douglas) is brought in by the railway company to assist. Working together, Patterson and Remington make a shocking discovery...



Review:Director Stephen Hopkins seems to be a bit of an anomaly in Hollywood. He is a hired gun, a director with no “personal stamp” who makes competent big budget movies, on time and on budget. Hopkins has gone on record as saying that he has no “personal project” - he directs what he’s asked to direct and that’s that. He has made a number of genre flicks, including Predator 2 (pretty good) and Lost in Space (shiny and kid friendly), as well as the more talky Under Suspicion. Three very different types of movies, and The Ghost and the Darkness is different again.

The Ghost and the Darkness is based on a true occurrence: Col Patterson did indeed go to Africa to build that bridge and did indeed battle with the lions and wrote a book about his exploits (albeit these may be exaggerated to fit the Great White Hunter stereotype of the time, the physical evidence is in a Chicago museum). Charles Remmington, Michael Douglas’ character is a fictional foil and mirror for Patterson’s thoughts and actions. This movie has a timeless quality, due in part to its setting and the no-nonsense direction and editing. Kilmer’s irish accent might be a bit wobbly, but his acting never is and Michael Douglas’ larger than life hunter is believable in that time and place. Tom Wilkinson’s clipped English is great as the Company man Beaumont.

The heart of the film though are the lions, and the movie does a very good job of making them terrifying, wiping away years of cuddly associations. We’re used to seeing documentary footage of lions taking down antelope etc, but we don’t associate lions as being capable (or willing) to kill a man. This movie in that respect is a reality check. This isn’t like Jaws, where all you have to do to avoid the threat is to stay out of the water! There is a cunning logic to how the lions attack which I’ll leave for you to find out.

Verdict:

A Classic “boy’s Own” story, full of adventure, mortal danger and exotic locations. Douglas and Kilmer fans will want to check it out for sure.

7 out of 10 (MikeOutWest)