The Ghost and the Darkness - 1996

Paramount Pictures, Constellation Entertainment, Douglas/Reuther Productions

Directed by Stephen Hopkins

Cast:

• Charles Remington – Michael Douglas
• Col. John Henry Patterson – Val Kilmer
• Robert Beaumont – Tom Wilkinson
• Samuel – John Kani
• Dr. David Hawthorne – Bernard Hill
• Angus Starling – Brian McCardie
• Helena Patterson – Emily Mortimer
• Abdulla – Om Puri
• Mahina – Henry Cele

Story: Based on the book written by Col. Patterson documenting his adventures in Kenya in 1898 while building a bridge over the Tsavo river, this films takes poetic license to the events. Col. Patterson is an Irishman in the service of the British Empire as an engineer with one specialty: Bridges. He is commissioned by Robert Beaumont to build a bridge for the railroad over the Tsavo river, and since he has always wanted to see Africa, he is thrilled to be going, even thought his wife, a school teacher, is expecting their first child. When he arrives in Africa, he learns of a troubling situation which has his workers frightened. A man-eating lion has killed one of the workers. He promises to “sort it out” and kills the lion on the first night. He thinks he has the problem solved, but soon afterward, another worker is killed. His workers are scared, Mr. Beaumont is upset about the delay in the schedule, and eventually sends a world famous American hunter named Charles Remington in to assist the engineer. Together, they discover these are no ordinary lions. They are killing for pleasure. After many attempts, the lions are killed, but at a high cost.

Review: Since the film was shot in South Africa, the scenery is exceptional. Like all docu-dramas, an amount of license was taken. Micheal Douglas' part in the film is fictional, but very well played and adds to the suspense of the movie. Val Kilmer gives a very quiet but determined air to the role and is supported by excellent performances by John Kani, Om Puri, and Henry Cele, all essential character actors who bring the proper balance of ethnicity and culture to the film. Tom Wilkinson plays Robert Beaumont, a man dedicated to advancing his position to the throne (“I care about my Knighthood!”), across the backs of the people he assigns the tasks. He is a self described Monster who can either make or break a career, and has no qualms about either. Overall the film is matter of fact and very ordinary, but what cannot be denied is that this happened. I have been to the Field Museum and seen the Lions of Tsavo. It is as the last line of the movie says. “If you lock eyes with them, you will be afraid.” Lots of gory scenes make this unsuitable for the children, but most teens have seen worse on their video games. Not necessarily collectible, but certainly worth a viewing, especially if you enjoy Kilmer and Douglas.