The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

Director: Stephen Hopkins

Starring: Val Kilmer, Michael Douglas, Tom Wilkinson

A bridge engineer and an experienced old hunter begin a hunt for two lions after they start attacking local construction workers.

When it comes to animal amok movies, I’ve always regarded ‘The Ghost and the Darkness’ as one of my favourites in this genre. Maybe because it was almost too surreal and scary to believe it is based on fact.

I did research on the actual event, and the film is pretty accurate. The only difference is, the actual lions were maneless, but they do look scarier with their big manes, so I completely accept this deviation from fact.

Val Kilmer stars as Col. John Patterson, who was commissioned to built a railway bridge over the Tsavo River in Kenya. The Ghost and the Darkness has nothing to do with ghosts, but is in fact the names given to the lions with their unusual behaviour. Never before – and never since – did lions kill for the pleasure, and had a lair. Their behaviour remains a mystery to this day.

The lions start killing soon after Patterson arrives and many of the workers blame him for the attacks. With a deadline on his hands, Patterson must do everything in his power to ensure the safety of the workers, and has to overcome obstacle upon obstacle to try and outwit the lions.

Michael Douglas stars as world renowned hunter, Charles Remington – the only fictional character in the film.

The photography uses the grasslands to maximum effect, cleverly enhancing the suspense. The close-up photography of the lions are also sure to send shivers down your spine! The film has a powerful, effective score, and beautiful cinematography.

‘The Ghost and the Darkness’ is an exceptionally well made film with a nail-biting climax! Although the film was not a box office success, it received several award nominations and won an Oscar for Best Effects/ Sound Effects Editing.

Would I watch it again? Yes.