Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Waste of time

Instant Favorite.

Good movie but grossly overrated

The acting in this movie is really good.

This movie could have been great: An outstanding human being defends a part of the natural world at all odds. Instead, we get a mediocre film that has questionable ethics. My first impression, when Fossey arrived in Africa, was: Who is she? What motivates and compels her? Why is she interested in the mountain gorilla? How did she hear about the conference she met Leakey at?The film needed to include some footage and treatment of her teaching her human students and explaining how this relates to her decision to abandon that type of job for one on anthraopological study. This is never approached in the film, and I spent the entire film wondering who Dian Fossey was.It was the gruesome content that repelled me, though: I did not need to see the scene where the gorilla tribe was killed and butchered. The people who are most likely to watch this film are those who care about animals, and they are not going to be entertained by seeing the aforementioned animals slaughtered. What I found most appalling, though, even worse than the scene where the gorilla tribe is killed, is when Fossey surrenders the baby gorilla to the poachers. At this point, I lost all respect for her, and most particularly, for screenwriter Anna Phelan and director Michael Apted.Immediately after they nail the boards of the box cage the baby gorilla is in, they are seen by a river, joking, smiling, sexually cavorting and smoking cigarettes.While I do appreciate Fossey's work with the gorillas and her attacks on the tribe of thugs that poached them (for centuries), the heart of this movie is in question: It was a brutal and insensitive portrayal of a rare communication between man and animal that could have been delightful and inspiring. Hollywood just couldn't resist the opportunity for more violence and single-dimensioned characters, though.

Gorillas in the mist is a film that touched me deeply. It made me have a better understanding of what Dian Fossey did in her life and also made me see how bad some Gorillas have it.I think the film did a good job depicting Fossey's life. The main reason why is because Sigourney Weaver does an OUTSTANDING job of portraying her. Seriously, this is acting at its best. Weaver has perfect emotion and also does a good job acting like a gorilla in scenes. She really should have won an academy award. I know she was nominated and lost but I do not understand how.This movie is very touching. It really made me see what goes on over in Africa and how poaching is a problem. I really felt bad for the Gorillas in this film and this film succeeded in making me feel bad for the Gorillas and make me want to do something about it. I always want to help animals whenever I can so seeing how Fossey fought for the Gorillas sort of inspired me. It is very important to protect all of the endangered species of animals on the planet including the Gorilla.I must say that this film is very sad at parts. If you are an animal lover you will find it hard not to cry at times. Just a warning.A great film that shows how important it is to protect animals. Very sad, but I do recommend it.

I guess I shouldn't vote on something I haven't seen all of. It could have risen to an 8. Then again it could have sunk to a 1. Or a zero.The best words to describe it are clunky, awkward, clumsy and uninspired. Sigourney Weaver (who I think is a terrific actress most of the time) is terrible here. I couldn't tell if she was going for camp comedy or melodrama, but it had to be one of the two. Her delivery was either wooden or awkwardly over the top. John Waters likely would not have allowed it, his movies have a consistency and flow to them, regardless of whether or not you are drawn to the subject matter.Granted, the script doesn't help and the director seems to be on auto-pilot.I'm also never a big fan of movies that depict ignorant foreigners entering a culture and loudly and brashly disrupting it and becoming very indignant when they can't walk all over it and subvert it for their own needs, despite centuries of culture being at stake. This kind of lack of sensitivity and tunnel vision tends to remind me of the attitudes that precluded slavery.I do however, give the film 2 points for beautiful cinematography, and one point for the acting of Weaver's friend who seems quite believable as a loyal friend and guide who sees the bigger picture but is powerless to impart this wisdom to Fossey. I took off the film (for a second time) about halfway through, just as Bryan Brown's character arrived, and he had only spouted a few clichés before I took it off again, so my I've made no judgement of that actor.The late 80's was a time of smug, disposable movies being churned out. Thank god it's over, (although some say it's coming back again) but you still be burned at the video store, and of course for a few hours of your time. I escaped with only one hour wasted.

this movie is based on the life of Dian Fossey and her work with the gorillas in a remote part of Africa."based on" usually means that some of the content is true and parts of it are fictionalized for dramatic effect.for sure Dian Fossey did work with gorillas in Africa and was instrumental in the increase of their population.some of the details may have been altered,but the gist of the story is true.i thought it was a very entertaining,touching and heartbreaking story.i think Sigourney weaver did a great job as Dian Fossey.she really brought some passion to the character.the movie was also thought provoking and i actually became angry more than a few times about some of the incidents that occurred.i find it rare to become so actively involved with a movie nowadays.for me "Gorillas in the Mist" is at a strong 8/10