The Ghost and the Darkness Reviews

• Not Worth Watching More Than Once

  
  By A23GFTVIETX7DS on 2004-05-21
  This African adventure based on a real account pumps the adrenalin in true Hollywood style - and that's not necessarily a good thing. Val Kilmer plays engineer John Patterson, who has always been able to overcome all obstacles through sheer will and hard work, until, that is, he gets sent to Africa to build a bridge. In Africa, the country of his dreams, John's work is sabotaged not by man but by beast. Two man-eating lions are mauling and dragging off workers not only in their sleep but eventually in broad daylight, completely against the nature of their species. They kill not for food but for "sport." Charles Remington (Michael Douglas), an experienced hunter, is called in to help restore calm by killing the lions.

  This might have been an exciting story if the filmmakers had not chosen to ratchet up the terror by making these lions seem supernaturally invincible. The lions are imbued with so much (supposedly scary) intelligence that they trick Remington and Patterson more than once so they can make their kills. They become evil instead of unpredictable. As the film progresses, everything gets even more unbelievably hokey as the actors strap on their machismo. Still, the scenes with the lions are chair-grabbing tense; it's only after the scenes have ended that the viewer is likely to see how ridiculous it all is.

  The best part of this film comes before the lions appear, when Patterson is suffering from the pride we know he'll lose, and as the camera pans over the African savannah. But most viewers aren't watching this film for its character development and cinematography. If only the suspense had not been artificially heightened, this could have been a solid thriller.

  This is a decent escapist movie with not much to offer on second viewing. I'd make this a rental instead of a purchase.
  
  

• Very tense action adventure

  
  By A2Q13PHEXGR48Q on 2003-07-26
  The Ghost and the Darkness is a very exciting movie that is based on fact although liberties are taken. The story is about two man-eating lions who terrorize the village of Tsavo as Colonel John Patterson tries to build an important bridge across a river. Patterson and a famous hunter, Henry Remington, attempt over and over again to kill the two lions until finally the workers decide to leave the area because they are so afraid of the lions. The hunting scenes are truly well done. The scene where Patterson and Remington discover the den of the lions is a great scene that shows that the lions are in no way normal. Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas both give great performances as Patterson and Remington. Douglas' performance is a little over the top, but it works very well here. The film is beautifully shot with an excellent backing by Jerry Goldsmith's musical score. The DVD is a little disappointing with very few extras but for the movie alone it is worth the purchase. Do not miss this very exciting adventure story that is based on a true story!
  
  

• Suspense light-years beyond Jaws

  
  By A23LKR4GASF59Y on 2005-05-04
  The Ghost and the Darkness is about the two maneating lions that terrorized the crew building a bridge at a desolate, nowhere place called Tsavo, Africa, circa 1890s, a place that had long been known as an area of active maneating lions. The original account written by Col. John H. Patterson, the engineer responsible for building the bridge and killing the lions (and played superbly by Val Kylmer), is one of the greatest Classics of African Hunting Literature ever written and known very well by legions of non-Bambi outdoor enthusiasts around the world. Subsequent accounts, the best of which is the well-researched wrtiing of 20th Century African hunter Peter Hathaway Capstick in his "Death in the Silent Places" and "The Maneaters of Tsavo" have become nearly as popular.
  The movie does take some liberties with events but most of the key scenes in the movie actually happened though perhaps in a bit different context. For example, the movie has the den of the maneaters being found prior to the lions' deaths but it was actually found some weeks afterward. But that wasn't the point in 1898. The cave actually contained (as in the movie) the skeletal remains of hundreds of human victims, so many, in fact, the probability is that den had been used by maneaters for centuries. Not too surprising the crews and locals felt Tsavo was a place of Evil. Adding credibility to the longevity of use theory is the fact that four other maneaters who ran up a score of 50 souls in that same area were killed in a single day by hunter Robert Foran - in 1947. But wait. Professional hunter John Kingsley-Heath killed another maneater there too - in 1965. But wait - Peter Capstick's boss was killed and eaten not too far from Tsavo on Labor Day 1974. That's right - 1974. Where were YOU in 1974?
  The African and Indian cultures of the 1890s weren't, and aren't, the United States. The liklihood these two lions would quickly be seen as "more than just lions", as some unstoppable Evil is more like a guarantee. The abject Terror of 2000-3000 African and Indian laborers was a real as Death itself. That Terror is amply displayed in the movie, but is still understated.
  The movie's lions, even with their ominous role as "more than lions", act very much like real maneaters did, and do. And when they do it in a joust with unarmed humans, they usually win, bigtime, and assorted gore and human body parts are a consistant by-product of such festivities. I've never never read anything at all about a famous lioneater.
  The movie's filming and effects are very good. Michael Douglas, as the ficticious hunter Remington, supports Kylmer well, and with a well-done, darkly amusing style. The "shock" scenes are "SHOCK" scenes, especially one in particular. You will FEEL your blood pressure drop to zero only to be red-lining again in a flash. You WILL hold your breath and you may regain it. Seriously, allowing a young child to watch this is probably not the best of ideas, and not because of the gore but because many of the scenes of the primal, nightmarish Horror these maneating lions deliver take place after dark and "after dark" is already an "iffy" proposition for many kids without the fangs of Hades clashing in their minds. Sweet Dreams.
  
  

• Nice try

  
  By on 2001-08-03
  I rented this movie and was not too impressed. Then I read _The Man-Eaters of Tsavo_, by J.H.Patterson, and rented the DVD again to compare it to the book. Unfortunately I think the film missed the real story. Patterson was not a struggling weakling who had to be saved by an American hunter; he was an accomplished hunter, he stopped the rebellion himself (and it was really a murder plot, not a riot), and he killed both lions himself. Michael Douglas' character never existed and Douglas hammed it up a bit too much, anyway.

  The true story was the terror of the nightly raids. Patterson felt helpless as he sat in trees night after night, hoping for a shot at the lions, but then only to hear terrified, agonized screams coming from other parts of camp. Instead of this nightmare, the film focuses on the tension of the hunting expeditions. Val Kilmer mentions 30 dead before we even know the lions have raided that much.

  The lions themselves were bigger and more frightening in the book. They were over 9 1/2 feet long, and had no manes so they could crawl through the tight, thorny bushes covering the land. They jumped over 9-foot-tall barricades and dragged their victims around by the throats. The Indian and African workers called them "the demons", so it's a wonder why the screenwriter chose the fictitious names for the film's title.

  The killing of the second man-eater is the most realistic because in truth, it took at least a half-dozen shots to take down these beasts, while they were charging at the men trying to kill them. Also the last human death in the story is realistic, because in the book Patterson tells the story of a man who was killed instantly in his bed when a lion bit through his temples and dragged his body out of the tent.

  Overall, I wish the screenwriter had focused on the terror of the nightly raids, though it may have been too graphic for audiences. Instead we're left with a mediocre action movie, with a couple of average-sized lions as the antogonists. Nice try.
  
  

• Too Many Unforgivable Errors:

  
  By on 2000-11-11
  I'm a freak for jungle adventure movies, of any kind. I have to admit, that while I did find this movie somewhat entertaining, I also found it to be substantially less that I had come to expect from Michael Douglas and, to a lesser extent, Val Kilmer. The basic premises for this story is true and although I have not read Colonel Patterson's first-hand account, I did find Peter Capstick's abbreviated version fascinating in his book "Death in the Silent Places." So much so that I immediately went to the web to check out the display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. They have a site devoted to the Man-Eating Lions of Tsavo. Check it out. What bothered me most about this film is how a professional hunter and a professional soldier could manage to drop their rifles so many times and still live to tell about it. No way! Period! If we are to believe Patterson and Capstick, the reason that these two man-eaters lived so long is because they were uncanningly clever and, further, no one managed to connect with the hundreds of bullets sent their way for ten months. That is why these two beasts were thought to have supernatural powers. Having said that, I will probably watch it again, but certainly not as often as I will other adventure films.
  
  
• Scary, smart and atmospheric.
  By A37DLVPKJZGSQF on 2001-10-18
  The Ghost and the Darkness, an unexpected, dark, tantalising thriller is a total success. I didn't read much into this movie before viewing, but I came out really satisfied and although many critics disliked this movie, I thought it was highly entertaining, well executed and very scary. The film succeeds a lot thanks to the direction and visuals; the lions look truly fantastic! Wow! The other reason the movie really made me keep watching was for the atmosphere of the film. The camera angles, backgrounds, lions POV and stuff like that really gives the movie a real feeling. I personally felt like I was in Africa, running from the Ghost and the Darkness, experiencing the true terror of their roar. The film also gets high marks thanks to its very believable performances. Michael Douglas takes a surprising back seat, but it still a strong character in the film and plays out his tough character well. Val Kilmer is the star though. This is one of his best performances, he masters an Irish accent accurately, is a believable loving husband and a likeable bridge builder. The movie is not perfect however. I didn't really appreciate the voice-overs by the African friend and some of the lion attack sequences are cut too short. Despite that, the film is an atmospheric, amazingly true experience that - if you're like me - will leave you shaking and breathless.

  DVD STUFF: 1/5. Theatrical trailer and viewing options. How about commentaries, bloopers or an insight into the fascinating training of the lions? That would give this disappointing DVD way more credit.
  
  

• Not great,but very good
  By on 2000-12-10
  The Ghost And The Darkness is a very good movie.It stars Val Kilmer as John Patterson,an engineer sent to Africa to build a railroad bridge.Almost as soon as he arrives he kills a maneating lion that had attacked one of the workers.There is a problem,though,as there are two more maneating lions(the title characters)that start terrorizing the workers,and can't seem to be stopped.Michael Douglas plays Charles Remington,a famous hunter,who is sent by Beaumont(the man who hired Patterson to build the bridge,played by Tom Wilkinson)to hunt down and kill the lions.He soon finds out that these aren't your average,everyday lions,and they seem to kill for the pleasure of it.That's about all I'll say as far as the plot goes.The cinematography is outstanding,the African scenery is just beautiful.The musical score by Jerry Goldsmith is very good.Val Kilmer does a very good job as Patterson,and Michael Douglas is good(a little over the top,maybe)as Remington.Overall,it's a very good movie,made very well.
  
  
• Terrifying and Amazing True Story
  By A2T7TZBOTP68C7 on 2005-02-15
  The Ghost and the Darkness is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is on my top five list. The Ghost and the Darkness is such an unusual name for a movie, but the title is perfect because it sets the stage for this strange event, and never lets you go.
  
  Val Kilmer and Michael Douglass give superb performances. Val Kilmer plays an ordinary engineer and bridge-builder who is plucked from his desk job in Ireland, and faced with the starkest terror of his life. At the bridge site, a man-eating lion is picking off the construction workers. The lion drags them from their hospital beds or picks them off in broad daylight. This behaviour is highly unusual for the African lion. The natives soon believe that this is not a lion but the devil - the ghost and the darkness. Douglass plays a brave hunter brought in to bring the lions down.
  
  The blend of African and Irish music is hypnotizing. This is a very violent and powerful film. You can see the real Maneaters of Tsavo on display at the Chicago Field Museum.
  
  
• Film: 4 stars, DVD: 1
  By A87V31JZUV0HK on 2006-03-30
  I preface all of my DVD reviews with the following note: There are more than enough film reviews on Amazon.com and, quite frankly, it's a bit ridiculous. A person can scroll through scores/pages of reviews without reading a single sentence about the quality of the DVD. If you want to review or discuss a film, go to IMDB. If you're reviewing the DVD, speak to the qualities (or lack thereof) of the audio and video; mention your opinions of the plot, acting, etc. but please don't write an essay!
  
  Now, on to my review of The Ghost and the Darkness on DVD.
  
  I remember wanting to see this movie when I was younger (when it was first released), but it wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I bought the DVD in order to write a term paper comparing the film to actual history. In terms of Hollywood, it's fairly accurate. The film itself, as entertainment, is great (it seems some people are analyzing it as if it were a documentary???). I'm a fan of both Douglas and Kilmer; they're fine here, but they've definitely done better work elsewhere. The plot moves along nicely and creates some definite tension and suspense. Additionally, the photography is beautiful and the soundtrack is great, too.
  
  Now the bad news: the DVD sucks. Period. And I'm not even complaining about the lack of extras here. The transfer is absolutely criminal, and those responsible for it should never work on another DVD project ever again. The print is clear and solid, but the aspect ratio is not correct AT ALL. I was mortified when I popped it into my player, only to be rewarded with a distorted image. Absolutely shameful...This film deserves a new anamorphic transfer in its original aspect ratio.
  
  VIDEO: C-
  AUDIO: A
  FILM: B+
  
  
• True, tense, gripping
  By A3MUELGWJ3R9MZ on 2007-01-10
  I have to disagree with reviewer Debbie Lee Wesselmann's comments, although maybe "it's a guy thing." The movie is, in fact, a pretty accurate retelling of the hair-raising story of "the Maneaters of Tsavo," and, as a matter of historical record, these lions WERE seen, by the native Africans and the Indian railway workers, as nothing short of magical devils. Understandable, given their incredible ability to kill, and kill again, then slip away in the night. As a white European, Patterson did not, himself, believe in witchcraft; but even he might have begun to have some doubts after a while (read his own excellent (and excessively modest) account, "The Maneaters of Tsavo," which is still in print). One wonders how many project engineers today would take the risks he did to finish an assignment! I own the DVD and still watch the movie from time to time; knowing how it ends in no way spoils the tense enjoyment (if that kind of film is your cup of tea), any more than knowing how World War II ended spoils a second, third, or tenth viewing of "Patton." But...if you're looking for a sentimental love story instead of a first-rate, true, edge-of-your-seat tale of hunting maneaters in Africa or fighting tank battles in WWII, you'd probably be happier with "Doctor Zhivago" (which I also still enjoy, even though I'm a guy--and not just out of envy for Omar Sharif).
  
  
• Thrilling! And Based on a True Story.
  By on 1999-12-30
  My sister and brother-in-law told me about this movie and I bought it without even seeing it. When I finally got around to watching it, I saw immediately why they loved it so much. The superb acting of Douglas and Kilmer (and the African dude who saved Kilmer's life), and an excellent storyline make this one of the best movies ever made.

  You won't regret buying this movie, as it is something that you can watch over and over without getting bored. One day I will go to the museum in Illinois where the real lions are on display.
  
  

• Great scenery, Good Story, Great Music; a fine Film.
  By A3UT41TWD7N0D5 on 2001-04-22
  I usually don't leave reviews for films that have this many reviews by other viewer because I am usually just repeating what others have said. However, in this case I am a real fan of this film and thought I would leave review anyway. Initially I did not want to see this film because I had read reviews that said this film was just a standard Hollywood film that injected white males into Africa to save the locals from danger. I'm glad I finally ignored these reviews and viewed this film. While Kilmer and Douglas (especially Douglas who breaks from his victimized male roles) provide fine acting I enjoy this film for it's basic but intriguing story line, it's beautiful scenery and the background music. I have never been to Africa and have never had a great desire to visit. However, this film shows a beautiful land and the music provides the right feel and now I find myself hoping to one day vist and tour the land.

  I do not know too many people who have seen this movie but those who have agree with me that this is movie that feels real. For those like myself who are unfamiliar with this story they will be drawn to the story line and unlike some films will not be sure that they can predict the ending. A good family movie as long as the kids are probably 8 or older. Some kids may be frightened by the lions but there is no real bad language or gore that may offend some viewers. Overall this film does what all films should, provide a good story, good scenery and good characters that the viewer can identify with.
  
  

• Old fashioned, Hollywood production
  By A3K8TYU7UOUTR0 on 2003-02-04
  This movie tells the story of Lt. Colonel J. H. Patterson, D.S.O., and engineer that was commissioned to build a bridge in the Tsavo region of Africa during the colonial period. His work was interrupted by the activities of a pair of male lions, intent on thinning out the conscripted and hired labor as quickly as possible. This is based on a true story. The film takes liberties with the book from which it came: "The Man-Eaters of Tsavo", by Colonel Patterson, but I can't say I minded that too much. If it's one thing that drives me to distraction its "experts" that nit-pick about the details of a genre picture. This is a Hollywood film, a Hollywood blockbuster, no less - not a documentary. In short, this was a tremendously tense film throughout, and Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer turned in two fine performances. The cinematography of Africa was beautiful, and the lions were terrifying. Did you expect a historical document?
  
  
• Among the Best Movies of Our Generation
  By A2GPVOWH5WA4YY on 2005-04-11
  Ever since seeing this film at its original release date, I've been awstruck by its ability to capture the attention of the viewer and leave us gripping the edge of our seat and anxiously waiting what will happen next. Val Kilmer's and Michael Douglas' characters are original, moving, and extremely believable. Douglas does an excellent job at making the situation real, with his make-no-mistakes persona and overall character. If you're a fan of movies of which an animal is the villain, then this is definetely one that should be at the top of your list. Easily one of my favorite action/thriller/drama/suspense movies ever, and I'm not kidding...
  
  
• After seeing Africa - a look back at the movie
  By A3UP853A2BGEH3 on 2005-09-24
  After returning from a real safari, I had to replay the movie. The music and visuals brought back memories. Hearing a real pride of lions feeding over a kill in the middle of the night made the menace of the man eaters more "real" in the movie. I am still troubled with the "remington" character... the vehicle to get Douglas into the movie, the vehicle to give Douglas top billing... a movie that was and is best left to Kilmer's character. It would have been better for Douglas to have read the great adventures of Hunter, Selous, Bell and Corbitt to fashion a more realistic African hunter to team up with Patterson. Still, it is a good movie in the African adventure mode and tradition. This is a movie to enjoy .. it is entertainment.. watch the movie, turn back the clock to the late 1800's where the lions did rule the night and humans were far down on the food chain save for their courage and their Nitro Express rifles... the lion is on the prowl, it is after you...how will you sleep tonight?
  
  
• Seen Twice In Theater And Bought DVD Yesterday
  By A3JQ378E2DSUCS on 2005-12-08
  Do I need to say anything more?
  
  
• The Ghost and The Darkness
  By A17BAZYBL5RAWH on 2006-07-04
  Excellent portrayal of a true story. Douglas and Kilmer are perfect for their roles as big game hunter (Douglas) and construction engineer. The story in itself is magnificient. Great excitement and terrific scenery!
  
  
• Great movie
  By A79KBS0NE37Y8 on 2000-06-17
  My brother has this movie on VHS (widescreen) and it is wonderful. The scenery is beautiful. The movie is action packed with a good story (based on a true story) and the acting is great as well. I liked this movie so much that I ordered the DVD version for myself and I can not wait to watch it again. I highly recommend this movie.
  
  
• A stunning safari adventure.
  By A1YHTB2DEIP4H9 on 2001-04-20
  I was so glad that I saw this when it was originally released. This film is absolutely stunning. It is not an all-out horror film like some people might think. This is a great adventure story with well drawn-out characters. Tom Wilkinson makes Beaumont so despicable that you just want to throw HIM to the lions and let them have at it. Michael Douglas is also very good as Remington. But the film belongs to Val Kilmer as Patterson, the Irishman who comes to build a bridge and finds himself being blamed for the lion attacks, and John Kani as Samuel, the tribal chief and Patterson's friend and foreman. Jerry Goldsmith's brilliant score perfectly captures the essence of Africa (African chants are incorporated into the score). Director of photography Vilmos Zsigmond demonstrates with this film that he is a master of the widescreen format, and his shots of the African landscape are breathtaking. Then, of course, there are the lions themselves. The attack scenes are VERY well done, and Zsigmond's shots of the lions' eyes are still stuck in my head. Add to this some terrific sound effects and you have a real winner.
  
  
• Did NOT get its just deserves.
  By A3BXPW5YIR4A52 on 2001-07-01
  I am very angered that this film was not more successful than it was. However, at the time, the world was in love with happy, singing lions thanks to Disney, so that could possibly be the effect.

  First, I think I should inform almost everyone who reads this that, despite what you hear, almost everything that happened in this story is true. The hunters in the boxcar missing the lion at close range over and over? True. The lions killing just to kill. True. Constant rifles being dropped, thus allowing the lions to escape. True. Patterson jumping out of a tree and killing the lion as it was EATING HIM! TRUE. Everything in this film is true, and if you read any of the books about it, you'll see that it really did happen. Now onto the review.

  There's one bad thing about the acting in this movie: Val Kilmer's accent. It's not quite realistic enough. Whenver things get intense, he loses it. However, the rest of the acting is superb. Michael Douglas does a fabulous job as the Man With No Name character, and the supporting cast of natives is great. Fear can be seen by everyone, and more importantly, it is real fear.

  No on to the script. I have always been a huge fan of William Goldman's since I saw Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when I was 12, but he truly does a brilliant job here. The lines are great and the characters are what they are intended to be, either likable, mysterious, or jerks. The only thing that irks me about the writing is how the character of Remmington(or Redbeard, as it was intended) given a history. I know that Goldman was forced to write this in, but it truly makes the character look like a wuss instead of keeping his air of mystery around him. Other than that, Goldman's script is terrific.

  The directing by Stephen Hopkins is right on and as tense as it should be. When there is supposed to be fear or paranoia invoked, it is right there and in your face. This movie also contains some of the most beautiful scenery of the African continent I've seen since OUT OF AFRICA. Hopkins photographs everything in Tsavo in a washed out sephia that works very well since Tsavo is supposed to be surrounded by death, whether it be from Malaria, religious fights, or those pesky lions.

  The one thing to me, besides Goldman's script, that stands out is the spectacular musical score. I can't think right off hand who did the music, but it is PERFECT. It's dreamy and intense and airy at just the right times. If I could find it anywhere, I would definitely buy it, and I do not buy movie scores much. It works with the picture beautifully.

  As you can tell, I love this film. I think it is great and powerful and I think everyone should watch it, especially if you love adventure stories or incredible true tales. For more insights on the film and story, I also reccomend you read Goldman's "Which Lie Did I Tell?" It adds insight on this truly terrific movie.
  
  

• An Excellent Adventure Movie for All
  By A3TZMDLIU13KPU on 2003-01-18
  Ghost and the Darkness was an excellent movie, despite the fact that Michael Douglas's character never existed. The story is well acted, the action is great and the scenery is beautiful!! The animal actors in the film are trained very well and are also gorgeous animals. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat even after the end! A great adventure movie set in the correct period it should be: Colonial Africa, when it was vastly unexplored. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars!
  
  
• An heart- pounding adventure
  By on 2003-09-05
  A friend told me about this movie, so I rented it to see what it was like. I was pleasantly surprised; it was not the continuous massacre that I had expected. It was a brilliantly done movie. Val Kilmer acts his part very well, and those hunting scenes were so intense and freaky that I found myself urging the characters out loud to look behind them, walk quieter, etc. The death in it was not overly gory; still, I felt that it pushed a 14A rating. Regardless, this was an awesome movie, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves intense, intelligent adventure.
  
  
• Jaws in the Serengeti
  By on 2003-11-14
  This is a good, old-fashioned thriller about man versus beast. Exciting, well-paced, well-acted (despite Val Kilmer's sometimes wobbly Irish accent). Although based on fact, in plot and structure it resembles Spielberg's Jaws in more ways than one: cunning, ferocious maneater wreaks havoc on a community; civilized scientist/engineer teams up with tough old salt to hunt down maneater; a tense showdown in which.... I won't spoil the ending for you.

  This is a good Saturday night movie that didn't deserve all the snide, hostile reviews it got at its premiere.
  
  

• Contrary to criticism, this is an excellent film.
  By ADPA1LO8O4LC on 2004-07-04
  Lt. Col. John Patterson (Val Kilmer) is sent to Tsavo, Africa to build a bridge across a river, thus allowing the British railroad to enter deeper into Africa, bringing civilization and advancement into the Dark Continent. Once Patterson arrives, he is greeted by a situation in which a man-eating lion is harassing the workers and delaying the construction of the bridge. He goes out one night and kills the lion with one shot, winning the confidence of the workers and, therefore, pushing the project ahead of schedule.

  Unfortunately, two more man-eating lions begin to make daily harassments on the work camp, killing over 30 men, and eventually halting the construction, in spite of all that Patterson can do.

  Enter Charles Remington (Michael Douglas), famous and professional wildlife hunter.

  The rest of the drama unfolds as we see how Remington and Patterson deal with the crisis as the death toll reaches over a hundred.

  Contrary to many previous reviews on the movie, The Ghost and the Darkness is an excellent film. Brilliant cinematography, breathtaking scenery, and beautiful and robust music are only a part of this great adventure yarn (which is based, stronger than you might think, on the true story). The acting of all the actors, once again contrary to popular criticism, is very good; not "over-the-top" at all. The film has a robust and powerful feel that accurately echoes the ruggedness and strength of Africa and the great men who tried to tame her. The authenticity of the film's props (costumes, weapons, tools, vehicles, etc.) is also impressive. The special effects are perfectly convincing and the lions are real.

  The film has a good length (an hour and forty minutes) and never loses its pace or sense of direction. The film is straightforward and, at many moments, downright powerful. The tension is strong and, yes, this film is better than "Jaws" in every way, not to mention more mature than the sharkie movie. And, "The Ghost and the Darkness" is much more than a mere thriller. It is also a historical drama of high caliber.

  Warning: If you are a feminist, you will find this movie too "macho". But if you admire the indomitable spirit of the Victorian era's adventurers, you will appreciate the film's strong (and realistically imperfect) characters. And sorry, there are no sugar-cutie boys who run to Angelina Jolie for help and no Super-Chicks who come to save the day (thank goodness).

  Well, if you have not seen the movie, rent it and watch it. I would buy it but purchasing it is up to you. I highly, highly, recommend this film.
  
  

• At times, hard to watch for those who know the true story
  By on 2004-07-12
  While the jacket and intro says this is a "true" story, those who have read Patterson's account, or later retellings like Capstick's know there is a lot of fiction in this Hollywood version (surprise!). Tree-climbing lions with manes, a rouge American hunter who arrives to save the day, the stereotypical British cad who sends Patterson, Masai tribesmen, and numerous other digressions from the truth made this a bit uncomfortable for me. Kilmer isn't a very convincing Irish engineer, either. The scenery and cinematography are superb, however.
  
  
• Good Movie, Bad Reviews
  By A3VR4IDM8Z1LXP on 2005-09-22
  This film is nothing less than solid entertainment with decent characters. More importantly, it has something that few movies have these days: Repeatable watchability. Of the dozens of DVDs on my shelves, only a few get watched more than once or twice. This is one of them. It's a great summer movie; something to sit down to with a bowl of popcorn. It's not deep. It's not provoking. It's simply drive-in fun. Looking at some of the professional reviews that were published at the time of the movie's release, I have to wonder at the mentality of those who could never write, create or act in anything yet feel qualified to belittle. "Val Kilmer's accent comes and goes" one reviewer wrote. Okay, so what? So does mine. "The animatronic lions used throughout the film look terrible" wrote another. Oh yeah? You mean in the two brief scenes where they were used? How about the fact that live lions were used for 99% of the filming? "The movie was boring in its set-up". You mean as the cast of characters that we do really come to care about are developed? That's something we all used to enjoy before the onset of the video game-style presentation that movies use so often these days. Finally, "the movie alluded to the difficulties in railroad construction in colonial Africa and the friction between Africans and imported Indian labor, but never developed either theme". Wow. I guess this was supposed to be a PBS docudrama. That WOULD have been a snoozer. Glad I missed out on the finer points of labor relations in colonial Africa. No this wasn't Schindler's List, but I've only been able to watch that emotionally difficult movie once. It's simply too powerful. Niether is it Saving Private Ryan or Sophie's Choice. It's something better: Fun escapism that you can watch over and over. Buy it and wear it out.
  
  
• Absolute classic!
  By AGUZLNTW88WJ5 on 2006-07-02
  This movie is amazing. Very old school, and thats probably what appeals to me most. It is a true story about the lions of Tsavo, and thats absolutely fascinates me! A definate purchase for anyone interested in Africa or wildlife!
  
  
• True Story, Yet Hard to Believe
  By A3IOCPLIMYDBCD on 2007-02-09
  Lt. Col. John Patterson is an engineer assigned in 1899 to oversee the construction of a railway bridge at Tsavo, East Africa, about 175 miles NW of Zanzibar. On his arrival, a worker describes Tsavo as "the worst place in the world."
  
  He also discovers workers are being attacked by lions. In this remote area, this is hardly surprising. The frequency and number of attacks, though, are off the chart. Not only are the workers and Patterson terrorized, many of the workers leave the job site, preventing further construction. Patterson must find a way to rid the place of the lions. He's an engineer and amateur hunter, not a game expert.
  
  Patterson and others try numerous things to trap and kill the lions, or prevent them from entering camp to no avail before a number of victims are taken. The first time I watched this, I got chills every time a lion attacked. Imagine trying to survive in such a place. Patterson eventually bags the lions, and work resumes.
  
  A character named Remington is brought in near the end of the picture. He is a fictional character, but the interaction between Patterson, the natives and him reflects the development of the relationship between Americans, Europeans, Africans, and Indians during the Victorian era.
  
  Prior to reviewing this DVD, I read Lt. Col. Patterson's book, "The Man-Eaters of Tsavo." This is a sensational story, and I needed a reality check. There is artistic license, as usual, in the movie. But in this case, I find that license a reflection of the real life of Lt. Col. Patterson, who spent many years working in various parts of Africa, living in primitive conditions, and when he found time, hunting various game.
  
  The numbers killed by lions are staggering when compared to those of other instances of man-eaters. Lt. Col. Patterson worked and hunted passionately. This is well worth watching, but not by small children.
  
  
• something to sink my claws into.
  By A294DWRBQUOIK4 on 2000-01-08
  this is not the most amazing film ever made, but i just love it to death. the score is amazing and very powerful on the dvd. the acting is good and the action fast and gripping. the supporting characters are also good. i never find the film to drag and the lions are very well filmed as the surrounding scenery. africa comes across as a very beautiful country if not a little dangerous. this is a movie that i can watch again and again. i really recommend it. give it a watch.
  
  
• Don't Go Back in the Jungle!
  By A2N5VQFQM4WV4I on 2000-01-15
  I've never seen a movie (since Jaws) that can create such terror and suspense over a natural animal. This movie keeps you on the edge of your seat constantly.

  Two lions terrorizing a village. Big deal, I thought before I actually watched it. Wow! The acting was good (especially the lions). And the attack scenes were shocking! It is fairly graphic in places so I wouldn't recommend it to younger viewers. And not just because of graphic violence. Just the sheer terror that this movie creates with these beasts will never allow junior to look at the lions in the zoo the same way again!
  
  

• The Edge (Widescreen Edition)
• The Saint
• The Man-Eaters of Tsavo (Peter Capstick Library Series)
• Tombstone
• Congo