The Ghost and the Darkness

This one was recommended to me recently, and the plot sounded so interesting that it immediately jumped to the top of my watch-list.

Released in 1996, The Ghost and the Darkness is about the construction of a railway bridge in East Africa that is being delayed by two man-eating lions that have been picking off the workers. After several failed attempts by the construction engineer (played by Val Kilmer) to kill the lions, a world-renowned big-game hunter (played by Michael Douglas) is brought in to help. It's not long before it is revealed that these lions aren't so much hunting for food, but rather for sport. Perfect for any one that enjoys a good 'the hunter becomes the hunted' type of story.

The film has some really tense build ups with good payoffs, it's paced very well, and it's overall a very interesting story. However, it isn't perfect. Kilmer's acting is a bit uneven, and there are a few scenes that probably could've either been reworked to add to the tension or cut out entirely. Also, the Sir Robert Beaumont (played by Tom Wilkinson), who sends Kilmer's character to Africa in the first place, is a really one-dimensional character. He's essentially just there to be a jerk and tell Kilmer that the bridge needs to get done.

 

I'm tempted to give this one some bonus points because I really like the cast and I'm a big fan of late 19th century/early 20th century period-pieces, but I try to make these reviews as objective as possible and you can find faults in this one if you're looking for them.

Overall, while it isn't perfect, I did really enjoy it and recommend checking it out.

3.5 out of 5.

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