X
- 1996
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 50 m
- 1996
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 50 m
Summary A bridge engineer and an experienced old hunter begin a hunt for two lions after they start attacking local construction workers.
Directed By: Stephen Hopkins
Written By: William Goldman
- 1996
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 50 m
- 1996
- R
- Paramount Pictures
- 1 h 50 m
The Ghost and the Darkness
46
7.8
Where to Watch
Summary A bridge engineer and an experienced old hunter begin a hunt for two lions after they start attacking local construction workers.
Directed By: Stephen Hopkins
Written By: William Goldman
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 26 Critic Reviews
46
27% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
31% Negative
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
Metascore
Mixed or Average
Based on 26 Critic Reviews
46
27% Positive
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
42% Mixed
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
31% Negative
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
Hopkins has combined a tightly written script, two superior actors and stunning African vistas into a film that is breathtaking in its beauty and thrilling with suspense. [10 Oct 1996]
The movie mostly sustains its excitement of the hunt. But the real star is the panoramic, beautifully composed cinematography of Vilmos Zsigmond. Whether he truly loved the African locations or is cursed with "a gift" doesn't matter; the dynamics of the story often flag, but the visuals lend a palpable excitement. [11 Oct 1996, p.49]
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 11 User Ratings
7.8
73% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
27% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 11 User Ratings
7.8
73% Positive
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
27% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings
0 Ratings
There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.
"I am epic, hear me roar" is what the lion-centered The Ghost and the Darkness would have you believe. The reality is more like an acceptably loud noise than a true roar, but so few films venture into the old-fashioned world of historical action adventures that even a loud noise is a welcome sound. [11 Oct 1996, p.F16]
Miscast and nervously directed. [11 Oct 1996]
For all its noble intent, Hopkins' film falls flat halfway through, mired in bad philosophizing and too-beautiful killing fields, neither bark nor bite mean much here.
Kilmer is adequate, though he's always more interesting when allowed to play a character with a dark side; Patterson's too squeaky-clean for Kilmer to exploit the most useful part of his range. [12 Oct 1996, p.4G]
“The Ghost and the Darkness is an African adventure that makes the Tarzan movies look subtle and realistic. It lacks even the usual charm of being so bad it's funny. It's just bad. Not funny. No, wait . . . there is one funny moment.
Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
20/20 Awards
• 3 Nominations
American Society of Cinematographers, USA
• 1 Nomination
