The Ghost and the Darkness

1896. Colonel John Patterson (Val Kilmer) is hired to build a bridge in Africa and have it completed within five months or have his name and reputation damaged forever by the bullying tycoon hiring him. Time enough, he considers, to complete the project, fulfil his childhood dream of travelling to Africa and still make it back to England to see his wife bear their first child.

His initial enthusiasm turns to disillusionment at his destination. Geographical problems with building the bridge and social problems between the differing groups of African and Indian labourers make the trip far from Patterson's idealistic dream. The completion of the bridge further slips away as the workers threaten to leave fearing for their lives from the attack from two man-eating lions. As the number of attacks increase so does the belief between the workers that the beasts are not natural but two supernatural spirits, "The Ghost" and "The Darkness".

There could have been plenty of material here to sustain the film but regrettably it becomes nothing more than a series of cheap thrill set pieces - the lions attack a single man, attack a group or avoid being captured until the film runs out of ideas. Michael Douglas then arrives as an experienced hunter and the film runs through the same set pieces again.

This is a pity. The film looks impressive, making the most of the natural scenery. There is a strong supporting cast of characters but sadly they are given too little screen time to flesh out the story. But, of course, this is a stalk and slash movie and should be judged as such. Here, though, is where it fails. The lions are too strong and fast for their prey, pouncing upon unsuspecting victims and killing with a single blow from their claws. There is fleeting horror but no tension. The large number of deaths all become much the same and there is no real sense of loss. The only true heart stopping moment is wasted on a dream sequence.

The film is a true-life account based on the journals of John Patterson and seems unsure how to portray such an event, as an historical account or as a thriller. It takes the middle ground and as such results in an middling sort of film. Ultimately, this is not a bad film but it could have been so much more.

Reviewed by Martyn Rees

FILM FACTS IN BRIEF
Directed by Stephen Hopkins
Starring Val Kilmer, Michael Douglas
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