Gorillas in the Mist

Gorillas in the Mist is a 1988 American biographical drama film directed by Michael Apted. It stars Sigourney Weaver as the naturalist Dian Fossey, who traveled to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas. The film shows her dedication to understanding and protecting these amazing animals.

Based on a book of the same name by Dian Fossey, the movie follows her journey as she lives among the gorillas and learns about their lives. It highlights the challenges she faced in her work and her strong will to make a difference.

When it came out in theaters, the film was well received. At the 61st Academy Awards, it received several nominations, and Sigourney Weaver won awards for her powerful performance. The story of Dian Fossey and her work with gorillas remains an important reminder of how one person can help protect wildlife.

Plot

Dian Fossey, an occupational therapist, was inspired by anthropologist Louis Leakey to study primates, especially the rare mountain gorillas in Africa. With Leakey’s support, she traveled to the Congo to begin her research but faced challenges during the Congo Crisis. She later moved her work to Rwanda, where she continued studying the gorillas despite dangers like poaching.

Fossey’s dedication drew attention, including from National Geographic, which sent photographer Bob Campbell to document her work. Though their personal relationship ended, Fossey remained committed to protecting the gorillas. Her efforts to stop poaching and her strong stance against gorilla tourism made her many enemies. Sadly, Fossey’s work ended when she was murdered in 1985. Her legacy helped protect gorillas from extinction.

Cast

The film features many talented actors playing important roles. Sigourney Weaver stars as the naturalist Dian Fossey, and Bryan Brown plays the photographer Bob Campbell. Other notable actors include Julie Harris as Roz Carr, Iain Cuthbertson as Dr. Louis Leakey, and Iain Glen as Brendan, among a skilled cast bringing the story to life.

Release

Gorillas in the Mist had its world premiere in New York City on September 14, 1988, followed by a premiere in Los Angeles on September 19. The film began showing on 15 screens across the United States starting September 23, 1988.

Reception

Box office

Gorillas in the Mist earned $366,925 in its opening weekend. The next weekend, it expanded to 558 screens and became the top film, making $3,451,230. Overall, the film grossed $24,720,479 in the United States and Canada and $36,429,000 internationally, totaling $61,149,479 worldwide.

Critical response

The film received mostly positive reviews. Many critics praised Sigourney Weaver's performance and the special effects, especially the scenes with the gorillas. On Rotten Tomatoes, 84% of reviews were positive, with an average rating of 6.7 out of 10.

Some reviewers felt the film didn’t fully explore the real-life personality of Dian Fossey. While they enjoyed the gorilla scenes and thought Weaver was a great choice for the role, they wished the story had given more insight into who Fossey really was.

Accolades

The film received several awards and nominations for its performances and achievements.