The Ghost and the Darkness

The sun bleeds across the African savanna, painting the tall grass in hues of fire as a train relentlessly cuts through the landscape, carrying with it the promise of progress and the weight of ambition. Sir Robert Beaumont, a man driven by deadlines and the desire to impress the Crown, paces anxiously, his railway project already behind schedule. He has placed his hope in the hands of John Henry Patterson, an engineer determined to prove his worth, unaware of the terror that awaits. Whispers among the workers, led by the cautious Samuel, speak of a malevolent force, a predator unlike any they’ve faced before. When the foreman is found savagely mutilated, Patterson dismisses it as a mere lion attack, a nuisance to be dealt with. But soon, the attacks become bolder, more frequent, and undeniably coordinated. As fear grips the camp, Patterson realizes they are not dealing with ordinary lions but with something far more sinister, something that hunts with intelligence and a chilling, almost supernatural, hunger. He knows that to save his project and his people, he must confront the darkness that stalks the savanna, even if it means enlisting the help of the enigmatic hunter Charles Remington, a man who understands the brutal language of the wild.

Movie Overview

Movie Cast

Storyline

In the heart of 1898 British East Africa, ambitious railway engineer Col. John Henry Patterson arrives to expedite the construction of a crucial bridge, a project overseen by the pragmatic Sir Robert Beaumont. Patterson, eager to prove himself, faces immediate setbacks as his workforce is terrorized by two rogue lions, dubbed “The Ghost” and “The Darkness,” whose coordinated attacks are disturbingly intelligent and brutal. As the death toll mounts, fear and superstition grip the construction camp, causing workers to flee and halting progress entirely. Desperate, Patterson enlists the aid of legendary hunter Charles Remington, a man hardened by years in the African bush and possessing a deep understanding of the wild. Together, with Patterson’s trusted foreman, Samuel, they embark on a perilous hunt, venturing into the lions’ territory. The hunters soon discover that these are not ordinary lions, but creatures of immense size, cunning, and a seemingly supernatural ability to evade capture. The relentless pursuit becomes a psychological battle, pushing Patterson, Remington, and Samuel to their limits as they confront their own fears and question their understanding of the natural world. The lines between hunter and hunted blur, and Patterson must ultimately confront the primal darkness within himself to defeat the Ghost and the Darkness, restoring order to the railway and saving his remaining men.

Details

In the heart of 1898 British East Africa, “The Ghost and the Darkness” plunges into a terrifying true story of man versus nature, and man versus the primal fear within. Tasked with constructing a railway bridge across the Tsavo River, engineer John Henry Patterson, played by Val Kilmer, faces an unforeseen and deadly challenge. The project, already behind schedule under the watchful eye of Sir Robert Beaumont, soon grinds to a halt as two massive, man-eating lions begin a relentless reign of terror. These are not ordinary lions; they are cunning, fearless, and seemingly possessed by an insatiable bloodlust, earning them the names “The Ghost” and “The Darkness” by the terrified local workers. As the body count rises, Patterson finds himself not only battling the beasts but also the growing superstition and demoralization among his crew. Desperate, he enlists the help of the legendary hunter Charles Remington, portrayed by Michael Douglas, a seasoned tracker who has faced down countless dangers in the African wilderness. Together, Patterson and Remington embark on a harrowing hunt, facing not only the physical threat of the lions but also the psychological toll of their brutal attacks. Samuel, played by John Kani, a local tribal leader, lends his expertise and wisdom, warning of the evil that seems to inhabit these lions. As the line between hunter and hunted blurs, Patterson must confront his own fears and embrace a primal instinct to survive, while Remington grapples with his past and the legacy of his violent profession. The film explores themes of courage, survival, and the dark side of human nature when faced with overwhelming odds, all set against the stunning yet unforgiving landscape of colonial Africa.

FAQs

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What is the movie “The Ghost and the Darkness” about?

The film follows the story of engineer John Henry Patterson and hunter Charles Remington as they track and hunt two man-eating lions that are terrorizing a railroad construction site in Africa.

Who are the main actors in “The Ghost and the Darkness”?

The main actors are Val Kilmer as Col. John Henry Patterson and Michael Douglas as Charles Remington.

What genres does “The Ghost and the Darkness” fall into?

The movie falls into the genres of Adventure, Action, Thriller, Horror, and History.

When was “The Ghost and the Darkness” released?

The movie was released on October 11, 1996.

What is the runtime of “The Ghost and the Darkness”?

The runtime of the movie is 109 minutes.

What was the budget for “The Ghost and the Darkness”?

The budget for the movie was $50,000,000.

What was the revenue generated by “The Ghost and the Darkness”?

The movie generated a revenue of $38,619,405.

What is the IMDb ID for “The Ghost and the Darkness”?

The IMDb ID for the movie is tt0116409.

Who directed “The Ghost and the Darkness”?

Stephen Hopkins directed the movie.

Who wrote the screenplay for “The Ghost and the Darkness”?

William Goldman wrote the screenplay.

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