The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Tim S

  
  I have to say I really enjoy The Ghost and the Darkness, but not because it's a fantastic film. It's actually a bad film with good elements to it, but there are things about it that fascinate me. First of all, it's directed by Stephen Hopkins, whose film output has been… More
  I have to say I really enjoy The Ghost and the Darkness, but not because it's a fantastic film. It's actually a bad film with good elements to it, but there are things about it that fascinate me. First of all, it's directed by Stephen Hopkins, whose film output has been hit and miss but mostly miss. This film did make a profit, but then again, I don't think it had all that much competition at the time. Second, Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas are really bad in this. Val Kilmer is his usual stoic self, even when he's trying to be outraged or scared about something. Michael Douglas just sticks out like a sore thumb, and I don't understand how he got top billing when he doesn't enter the story until about halfway through and then disappears before the film's climax. When you read up on it and realize that his character wasn't even a part of the real-life events you begin to understand why he sticks out so much. His acting is also terrible, not to mention his outfit and extensions. Third, even though this is a Jerry Goldsmith score, I find it really annoying, particularly the chanting bits. It's definitely not one of his best works, and there's too much of it in the movie if you ask me. The film is also terribly uneven and feels longer than it actually is. There are some enjoyable bits in it, and it's nice to see Bernard Hill and Tom Wilkinson pop up in small parts (the latter being a pretty nasty character, laughably so), but it's not a great movie. I like it for the crap that surrounds it, and because I'm a fan of Stephen Hopkins who I think is a talented visual director with a gusto for delivering shlock stories.

• Jens S

  
  This African hunting adventure seems to come right out of the era of great Hollywood films with similar themes. It is old-fashioned in the good sense. Two men, their guns and two lions, that terrorize a bridge-building camp in Uganda. That simply premise is delivered well here, with… More
  This African hunting adventure seems to come right out of the era of great Hollywood films with similar themes. It is old-fashioned in the good sense. Two men, their guns and two lions, that terrorize a bridge-building camp in Uganda. That simply premise is delivered well here, with decent acting, enthralling lion attacks and action scenes and great cinematography. When the camera lingers on the sea of dry grass and you expect to spot a lion in there somewhere, the film is particularly strong. Sadly, it wastes its rather interesting minor characters a little too easily. But overall, it's an entertaining and well made film.

• Sanjay R

  
  This movie is unintentionally hilarious with its cheesy lines and horrible acting. Michael Douglas turns in a hilariously bad performance while Val Kilmer is tolerable. The only thing that makes this movie interesting is that it is true (with Hollywood exaggerations of course).

• Ken S

  
  A fun little film with every one doing excellent work EXCEPT Michael Douglas who is in fact terrible. Matter of fact the only thing worse than his performance is his really bad extensions

• familiar s

  
  I thought it'll be something interesting, something thrilling. However, it turned out to be a hunting adventure which interests me the least.

• Curtis L

  
  Okay. The lions were good at least.

• danny d

  
  very good movie based on a true and scary story

• Dan S

  
  Seen 3/4 of it, not bad, but quite forgetable.

• Justin Y

  
  This is one of my favorite movies starring Michael Douglas. The plot is based around a true story of killer lions and it is told really well. It is a slow paced movie with minimal action but the cinematography and scenery does wonders to help move the story along. Although the… More
  This is one of my favorite movies starring Michael Douglas. The plot is based around a true story of killer lions and it is told really well. It is a slow paced movie with minimal action but the cinematography and scenery does wonders to help move the story along. Although the lions are killers the gore is also kept to a minimum so you won't have to worry about turning away from the screen if you're not a big gore fan.<p>There are basically 2 big characters in this film. As you may already know one is played by Val Kilmer and the other played by Michael Douglas and both actors do an excellent job with their respective characters. Val Kilmer does a pretty good job with his Irish accent as well.</p><p>If you're in the mood for a nice adventure movie with a little bit of suspense, then you might want to find time to check this out.

• E.J. B

  
  So haphazardly made and edited that it squanders the interesting concept that could have made a far more decent movie.

• Jason S

  
  I liked this lick. The setting was pretty cool and I thought they got the best guys for the job. The fact that it was based on a true story made it cooler.

• Stuart B

  
  OK Jaws on land rip-off

• Dean M

  
  What a true breaktaking and thrilling with courageous two hunters hunting the 'beast'.

• Mark K

  
  While it takes liberties with the true story of the lions, this film is still tense and interesting. The collision of industrial-age man and nature is interesting to watch, and the exploitative nature of the railroad isn't too heavily glossed over. Nice soundtrack by Jerry… More
  While it takes liberties with the true story of the lions, this film is still tense and interesting. The collision of industrial-age man and nature is interesting to watch, and the exploitative nature of the railroad isn't too heavily glossed over. Nice soundtrack by Jerry Goldmsith sets the mood for the lion hunt, and while somewhat preditable, it's a well made film with great scenery and action.

• Fascade F

  
  The lions in this flick was REAL....believable...and interesting in watching. Pick it up!

• Jason R

  
  Loved this movie as a kid, and I still love it! Michael Douglas is devilishly good, and fun to watch. This is one of those movies that never gets old.

• Brett W

  
  Aslan goes on a killing spree. He is not a tame lion!

• Lee K

  
  Nopt a bad flick but once again i expected more considering the actors involved

• Leo L

  
  Great!

• Jim W

  
  Roger Ebert gave this like half a star but...why ?? It's great to look at and is well acted. Plus the lions are pretty scary.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings