I’m not sure how many have even heard about this gem of a movie
"The Ghost & The Darkness". It hit the newlines along with the release of Titanic in 1996, was in the oscar run, but sank without
a trace because of all the hype surrounding Titanic. Maybe its time to pull this out of the closet again:
I thought I’d cast some light on this one since at present there isn’t any fresh releases worth talking about.
The movie is a no nonsense spine-chilling tale based on true account. This is how it goes:
The year is 1896. Imperial ambitions are at an all time high and has now touched the shores of the dark continent--East Africa. The key players are the Germans and the British. Obviously the first one to have domination over tha vast lands would be the power who owns the biggest railway network.
The Germans are steaming ahead. The Brits refuse to give up, but are having serious problems at one particular stretch of jungle, that threatens to shut down construction for good. Colonel Patterson (Val Kilmer), an engineer of the British army is sent with the misson of putting the house back in order in just 6 months. If not, the German’s will have gained strategic advantage in Africa. Her Majesty’s Govt would loose pride and geographical superiority.
When Patterson lands in Africa, he find his labours are terrified to work. Two mysterious man-eater lions are on a rampage. The beasts have no fear, hunt in pairs and have an insatiable appetite for human flesh. The labours are fast depleting in number and they refuse to stay back and work. The locals have aptly named the beasts as ’The Ghost" and "The darkness". They strike like ghosts, then melt like shadows into the wilderness, leaving behind destruction, gore and blood.
With a deadline, and Royal pride at stake, the hard seasoned Colonel tries his best to ward off the menace. But his soldiering skills are no match for the fiendish carnivours as they keep up the slaughter. The beasts are uncannily smart and illusive. The Colonel grits his teeth. Since when was a human-being humbled by a savage beast? But he’s fast running out of options and most importantly--time.
Understanding his plight, the British Govt sends in Mr. Remington (Mike Douglas) --a legendary white hunter who has spent years in africa with the tribes and is as ruthless, cunning and brave as they come. He mentors Patterson on the fine skills of hunting in the wild. Therein begings the deadly game of cat and mouse-- hunt or be hunted. Human brain, endurance and technology is put to the ultimate test. But very soon the thin line between hunter and hunted dissolves, and Patterson is on
his own-- bitter, desperate, terrified, but not yet broken.
In this ashtonishing true saga of struggle and survival , it is the last man standing-- Colonel Patterson who refuses to budge and puts paid to the evil monsters once and for all. Revenge is sweet , and pride and faith in the system is restored.
Gripping storyline. Doesn’t deviate from the true facts. Absolutely stunning movie. Fabulous cinematics, sounds and picturisation. Steller performances by Val Kilmer, Michael Douglas and Om Puri (as the leader of the coolies).
It all looks so realistic, the suspicious stirring of the tall grass, the lion tearing through the hospital camp where the wounded men are kept --is so intense that its bound to make you shiver. I doubt if I’ve actually seen another down to earth yet great movie like this one. A must see if you’ve missed out before.