Savage Harvest (1981) User Reviews

Born free to run wild

[Chase_Witherspoon · 7/10 · 29 April 2011]

A wealthy farming family in a remote part of Nairobi is forced to take refuge in their mansion when a pride of hungry lions suffering the effects of the drought, comes in contact hunting for food. Game hunter Skerritt comes to the aid of his estranged wife Phillips and their children, fortifying the residence against numerous attacks throughout the night. Some rather harrowing attack scenes might shock some viewers, with the ensuing gorging on the cadavers likely to repulse others – it's a marvel of photographic choreography and timely editing that makes the attacks look very realistic.

Skerritt is an engaging hero and it's through his macho veneer that a lot of the personality and character is allowed to develop throughout the ordeal; his playboy image remains intact almost throughout, attempting to rekindle his relationship with his former wife any moment there's a brief respite from the onslaught. Without his professional contribution, the rest of the film would be a hollow action thriller. And while there are moments of overkill – the laboured grief and consolation offered for the recently deceased, Skerritt's brief "Indianapolis" speech, and an ultimately pointless mortality moment, reminiscent of Jon Voight's deer encounter in "Deliverance" - the film generally manages to stay focused on the action. Special mention also must go to the musical score, which is effective as both an ambient and central mood setter.

The actual ferocity of the lions toward one another is just as confronting as the attacks on the characters – their performances are intensely aggressive. Ultimately, it's the realism that makes this obscurity worthy of more notice, and far superior to its British/South African produced predecessor, "Rogue Lion".

Passable

[gridoon · 5/10 · 30 September 2001]

Imagine "The Birds" or "Night of The Living Dead", but with lions instead of birds and zombies, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what this movie is like. Rather passable stuff, except for some unintentionally funny scenes (like the sight of lions entering the house through the chimney or walking on the kitchen sink). Pretty good acting, too - both by the lions and by Tom Skerrit. (**)

The lion doesn't sleep tonight

[Coventry · 6/10 · 16 February 2016]

"Savage Harvest" is pretty similar to another 80s horror/adventure movie called "In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro". In fact, the two would be almost identical if it weren't for the fact that they feature different types of ferocious animal species. Both films are sadly and inexplicably underrated, taking place in black African countries during a long period of drought and tell the absorbing tales of how the animals' regular food sources become unavailable so that they become incredibly aggressive and attack every human in their sight. "In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro" features a rather unusual type of animals, namely baboons, whereas "Savage Harvest" goes straight for the leaders of the animal kingdom: mighty lions! The intro states that this film is based on true events, but I guess the fact were dramatized a little bit. In rural Kenya, Derek leaves his wife and stepchildren in their luxurious country mansion whilst he's away on business. Pretty soon a whole troop of famished and agitated lions enter the estate and trap the family inside. The servants are the first to get devoured, but luckily for them ex-husband/real father Casey comes to the rescue. "Savage Harvest" isn't magnificent cinema, but at least most of the film is suspenseful and there are multiple deeply impressive sequences with professionally trained lions (courtesy of the awesome Joe Camp and Ralph Helfer). Okay, admittedly some parts of "Savage Harvest" are quite bizarre and goofy, including the sight of a lion entering a house via the chimney or witnessing how a besieged family collectively sings a Beatles medley, but what the heck! In exchange for that are the animal attack sequences raw and they can be interpreted as quite shocking, and since the production crew took the costs and efforts to actually film in Kenya, the film is also full of beautiful exterior locations. Tom Skerritt is a fairly convincing hero, but the gorgeous Michelle Philips has very little to do except for looking way too young to depict the mother of a 20-year-old son. Last but not least: fantastic film poster but I sadly never spotted the voluptuous girl with her shirt half open

How was it done

[gwtank-1 · 16 December 2002]

I taped this movie years ago and wondered at the time how the lion scenes were produced. I watched it again today and am still perplexed. Was this filmed in Africa or in the US with circus lions? There was another film, "The Gods Must Be Crazy II" in which lions played a significant role. I'd like explanations.

Unbelievable-in more ways than one

[arjun-6 · 3/10 · 4 September 2010]

I was six when this movie released in 1981. Despite the fact that my folks believed in taking us kids for wildlife movies, they decided to sit this one out for the violence quotient. I had earmarked it though for one of the movies I needed to watch once I grew. And grow I did but could never find the movie until last night. And I sat through the night watching it. First, it realistically conveys the picture of a white family in Zimbabwae (then Rhodesia) or some such place where white can afford to have plenty of black servants.

I don't care if this is based on a true story, the movie was a series of howlers from the word go. I am truly amazed at the rave reviews the movie has been getting. First sign of violence, the black panthers, for Chrissake. Two of them surrounding the van when it broke down, so they are supposed to know its broken down eh? And then clawing their way through the metal body to get at the driver? Give me a break.

Then the ridiculous scenes with the lions laying siege to the villa, climbing down the chimney I almost cracked my sides laughing. And despite all the shooting, the father son pair never seemed to hit a single lion. And what was the black maid doing using the term 'memsahib'. This was supposed to be Africa not India. Anyway it got so ridiculous that I saw it was pointless wasting my sleep further and switched it off. The same story, a lot of expendable black servants die and the white family escapes. There is of course some token arm wringing over some faithful childhood nurse being dragged away but nothing to lose sleep over.

The lions were like overgrown kittens and stole the show with their cute tricks. Sorry they didn't scare me one bit and I feel sorry for generations of people thinking that's how lions behave.

My final verdict, want to watch a lot of trained cute lions romping around with their trainers go for this movie. If you want to see a frightening movie about lion man eaters, go for for ghosts and the darkness.

I give it 2 mainly because it was nice to see a period film depicting what people think life in white Rhodesia used to be like. Watch it anyway for the laughs and the nostalgia factor, though for some genuine nostalgia go for hatari. Much better movie with far better cast.

Its aged a bit, but this is still a better than average film about a family trapped by some lions

[dbborroughs · 7/10 · 25 December 2008]

I'm one of 8 people who saw this in the theater when it played 20 plus years ago. Based on true events of how droughts in Africa were causing the lions to attack people this is the story of one family that ends up trapped in their house with lions outside. Starring Tom Skeritt and Michelle Phillips the film is a small scale but decidedly solid little thriller. Rather bloodlessly graphic there are a few starts in the film and uneasy moments as lions come from places you don't expect.Watching the film from start to finish for the first time in a long while (I caught some while I was transferring it to DVD) I found it to be more like a TV movie then a big screen film. However I also found it to be still quite enjoyable. I have no idea why this film has faded from view but its a shame since its a good way to spend 85 minutes...and will explain why Santa doesn't show up to your house- a lion came down the chimney and ate him. Worth a look should you ever run across it.

Pretty much by the numbers

[preppy-3 · 3/10 · 17 October 2008]

A family living in a remote part of Africa are trapped in their house by a bunch of hungry lions. I caught this back in 1979 at a theatre. I was told it was a horror film. I completely ignored the PG rating and ended up seeing a pretty bland, generic story of a family that bonds together when their lives are threatened. Yawn. The dialogue and story were completely predictable. Also I got a few laughs when the family realizes they're trapped by lions and, instead of trying to escape, they sit down and start singing a medley of Beatle songs! By the end of the movie you're rooting for the lions. The only thing that saves this is some good acting by Tom Skerritt, Michelle Phillips and Shawn Stevens. Despite their lines they're pretty good. This is pretty much forgotten--for good reason! I give it a 3 for the acting alone.

surprisingly good

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 8 November 2020]

Savage Harvest starts out slow. Day to day life on the African farm for this white family. The locals are leaving, and there will not be a harvest. Why? A broken home with Tom's S the big game hunters family moves on with the farm owner. Well Savage Harvest picks up when a pride of lions chomp, as the lions bite and eat everything on the farm. Well Tom comes to the rescue. Step dad gets eating we need an escape and a hero. Well there and adapt and improvise family! Lot's of lions flashing their teeth, and a few dangerous moments. Savage Harvest picks up and save the film in the second; we got a well directed and acted movie. 7 stars.

A film set most probably in Kenya where lions attack a farm in a remote area

[lolwe · 1/10 · 8 April 2015]

I saw the film around 1984/5 on video and had to keep rewinding.As an African I am sensitive to the subaltern roles played by African people in the cast and found some scenes not very convincing.What I found disheartening was the fact that the lions bar one only ate Africans!It was set in that big game safari framework that has long since disappeared and seems to have been made for Western consumption.I worked in the tourist industry in Kenya for some time and there is a sense in which the locals are part of the props!Two scenes that to me were not authentic: the young girl explaining how she got an American accent, and the widow merrily making eggs for breakfast the day after her unsuspecting husband comes out of his Mercedes and the lion pounces on him.Most white farmers rattled along the stony tracks on tinny Landrovers before the chunky 4wheelers came onto the scene and they wore shorts and bush jackets.The Merc would most probably be parked in the city where they'd have a townhouse in a more genteel setting!

Savage Harvest

[BandSAboutMovies · 3/10 · 20 April 2024]

Robert Lee Collins created Police Woman and was going to be the director of Star Trek: Phase II before Paramount chose to make a movie instead of a new Star Trek series. He directed this movie, which was written by Ralph Helfer (the creator of the Marine World/Africa USA theme park), Ken Noyle and Robert Blees (Curse of the Black Widow, Frogs).

Made the same year as Roar, this is the same story but no one was insane enough here to allow animals to get as close as they did in that movie. Helfer also acted as the animal trainer.

The movie starts with this..."For many years, Africa, the world's hungriest continent, has been plagued by drought. A vast body of land encompassing twelve countries exceeding in size all of Western Europe, has been devastated. Ancient tribes have been forced to leave their villages to seek work in the cities. Those who remain poach starving game herds. Hungry predators seek food in any form. Not even humans in remote areas are safe from the predators... The motion picture you are about to see is based upon actual events." And ends with this..."This story was based upon actual events. During the past 5 years of drought 742 attacks upon humans have resulted in over four hundred deaths... and the drought continues."

That means that this movie is torn from the headlines.

Maggie (Michelle Phillips) and her family live in Kenya and a pride of lions has surrounded their home. Luckily, they have a man named Casey (Tom Skerrit) staying with them and perhaps that will be enough.

There are some scenes that make this worth watching. One has the entire family having a sing-a-long - keep in mind one of the kids just watched a lion maul a housekeeper to the point that you can see meat coming out of the mannequin and this is a PG rated movie - while a lion sneaks in and eats another staff member. There's also a lion that somehow gets in the chimney and just comes on into the living room to start attacking children.

This is a total vanity project for Helfer, as his daughter Tana plays one of the kids, Kristie. Anothe character, Wendy, is played by Anne-Marie Martin, who was Clea in the TV Dr. Strange, Kim in The Shape of Things to Come, Wendy Richards in Prom Night, Jessica in The Boogens and Darcy Essmont in Halloween II (nurse Karen's friend who reminds her she promised to give her a ride home). She was also Dori Doreau on Sledge Hammer! And would later marry Michael Crichton, who she met on the set of Runaway. Later, they would write Twister.

GREAT!

[margaritadelagarza · 9/10 · 25 September 2004]

A pride of lions attack a family in Africa, surrounding the house, and trying to get in persistently.This is the best movie I ever seen about lions. Besides, is a real story, a terrific one. Obviously, lions are superstars in this movie (but sincerely their performance is even better than human crew), the scenes about attacking pride are almost real, scaring, stressing; beautiful African landscapes. Please, someone ask to Twentieth Century Fox or birch class productions to release it on DVD format. Have you seen how many people are searching for it in the internet? I'm looking for this film two years ago. Unfortunately, this is out of stock. If you are a lucky owner, keep it safe because this is probably the last one in the market .... and ENJOY!

Worth seeking out!

[cfc_can · 8/10 · 15 January 2001]

Normally, when a movie is unavailable anywhere, it is because the movie is lousy. Savage Harvest though is a different story. It's sort of a Jaws-like thriller but involves killer lions and is set on the veldts of Kenya. It features an American family under siege by the cats and it is these scenes that really make the movie. The early scenes which set up the action are forgettable but once the lions take the stage, the suspense begins to mount. The film features some pretty real-looking attacks. Hopefully the animal trainers and wranglers were well paid. Nobody seems to have heard of this movie but if you happen to spot it on cable TV, give it a look. It's worth it!

Hard to find .Worthy of an effort.

[rgburns-2 · 9/10 · 26 June 2005]

I have been looking for a copy of this movie since I saw it several times during a cable-TV run.As is often the case I didn't know I wanted a copy until years had passed and I have been unable to view it or own it. I want to watch it with my grandchildren;to add it to the list of things I want them to know while I am still able to play the part of wise old grandad.I have enjoyed repeating one of the lines:" Mem-Saab said stay inside" to my sons who have seen the movie,as "We don't need no stinking Batches"et al.The movie I am sure will not disappoint my 'students" if I can obtain a copy and herd them into a viewing mood and room.The lion, victim interaction beats any other frightening movie of which animals are a prominent feature earthly or unearthly .

Scary... not for under 10 kids...

[nakulvm · 8/10 · 19 January 2006]

Well cheers........ I saw this movie about 14 years back when I was six or seven years old........ So I just remember the outline of the story and a few scenes here and there......... Though What I do remember for sure is that It scared the hell outta me even though there was about six more people watching with me........... It was quite some time thereafter that I was able to get it outta my mind...........About when I entered my teens........It gets scarier towards the end........It was haunting ........ Maybe I wuz a sissy, but I'm sure I ain't the only one around...... Lions comin from chimney... encroaching upon your house... breaking through the doors.... Now thats scary... But I guess it definitely must have been too good and too real to scare me like that.... And sure must be as difficult as hell to train those lions like that...... Cheers ... Enjoy.... Hallelujah...

"If that means saving the others Jon. I'll let it take you."

[lost-in-limbo · 8/10 · 2 October 2010]

Lions, tigers and bears oh my. Well actually there's no threat of tigers and bears, but however lions feature prominently in this gripping, heart-stopping little under siege survival feature that sees a family holding up in their plantation homestead while outside await some hungry predators with a taste for human flesh. Five years of drought has stricken Africa, grass eaters have vanished and a new prey has become the hunted. What surprised me about "Savage Harvest" (and not that it was based upon actual events) was how immensely intense and convincing the attacks scenes were (unsparing, bloody and with ferocity) and going a long way to cementing that success was how well trained the lions came across. The lions are truly the stars here. From this you are thrown right in to the taut situation with the family and it's made the more harrowing (projected by a stirring score) as the characters are treated with respect, believability and constant development. Sure it might be a familiar set-up, but there's no denying that it's effectively handled with some very good performances by Tom Skerritt (who's quite likable in the lead), Michelle Phillips (looking quite ravishing) and Shawn Stevens. The pacing can be a stop and go affair, as when it wasn't focusing on the lingering threat it's a waiting game. Time was spent either trying to figure a way out of the problem, or family dramas would come to the forefront and then to keep everyone in a good mood is was time to sing some "Beatles" classics until an unexpected guest drops in. Director Robert Collins delivers authentic grit from the surroundings and crafts an unsettling sense that doesn't waver. A good build-up (plenty of lion POV shots) and a just as good payoff that keeps you involved to the very end.

"Night of the Living Dead" with lions.

[HumanoidOfFlesh · 8/10 · 29 April 2010]

A hard times of drought in Kenya.A white family lives on a desiccated plantation.Suddenly the members of the family and their African servants are attacked by a pack of starving lions.The fight for survival begins.It's up to Tom Skerrit to save them from predatory death..."Savage Harvest" is a tense and exciting animal attack horror with several truly realistic lion attacks.The death scenes are quite nasty and the acting is believable.The script pretty much resembles "Night of the Living Dead" with people trapped in the building and hungry lions hunting for their meat.Japanese version of "Savage Harvest" is gorier and longer than American version.8 out of 10.

I want to get a copy of this film

[dbalaji · 8/10 · 23 December 2007]

I saw this movie in a cable TV when I stayed in a hotel back in 1993. I was simply bowled over by this great movie. I have been trying to get hold a copy of this movie ever since. Now I am married and have 2 nice kids and I would like to watch this movie with them. They like movies in which animals are involved. I am sure they will like this movie the way I loved watching it.

The scenes where the lions try to enter the house were filmed well. The best scene of the movie is the climax scene in which the family makes an escape by holding a makeshift fencing. The scene that touched me was the one in which the Family's doctor visits the house without knowing the situation. He gets killed by the savage lions. I strongly recommend this movie for a family viewing

Very Entertaining adventures movie

[gauratan · 8/10 · 24 September 2010]

I watched this movie when I was 8 yr old kid and again had an opportunity to see in recent times.Still one of my best movies ever watched.Really a great camera work with taking into account 15/20 lions a truly thrilling direction.Audience need to see this movie in realistic perspective rather then finding too much logical conclusion.Overall it entertains for all age group.Though it was weak acting link to it.All attention goes on Lions and lion how they attack they kill each other, desperate to get their share of food.The ending was really good compared to the beginning.Breath taking sequences.Moving grips right from the beginning.There have been lot of movies on lions such as Ghost and the darkness,prey etc but this movies stands way ahead from other movies.

Where can I buy it?

[matt_quagmire · 10/10 · 21 July 2006]

I have not seen this movie since I was a kid - but I would really love to own it on DVD. Anyone know where or how I can purchase it? It is a great movie - from what I remember - as I said it has been a long time - from what I do remember the acting was great as well as the lions. There is a lot of what I don't remember - was it based on a true story? Why did the lions show up in the first place? I know of the ending - I think - but I'm not going to give that away. The director was in the film - but I am not sure what role he played. I remember a tennis player - other than that - I remember the lions surrounding the house and raiding the kitchen. I don't remember how many people were in the house - I think there was a lot but I'm not sure. Anyway I would like to own it plus buy another copy for my sister and a third for a good friend of mine who likes these kinds of movies.

A wonderful movie showing the effect of drought on the jungle animals like predators.The lions become man eaters.

[phalke2001 · 10/10 · 4 February 2011]

I saw this movie long back before twenty years and i feel that i must see it again. But there is no source of it. Some are selling it at very high price.What can i do to see it on the net?Is there any generous person? The way in which they have shown the black tiger is really frightening.After that scene only the hyenas eating the bony remains are shown The actors have done their best and the photography and some kind of animal trick photography is really awesome.The best seen was the black tiger moving its tail at some distance from the van.The next best seen was the lion dragging the man in front of everyone.I was wondering about the love for animals by the trapped people. They did not try to kill any lions.Finally the escape from that house was very dramatic by the use of wooden cage

Savage Harvest (1981)

[nmarch · 8/10 · 31 July 2013]

Yes i saw this movie when i was very young, very scary movie at that time and now. Family is attacked by group of very hungry lions, each every sequence in this movie is well organized. very realistic scenes of lion killing people. very well directed i must say. smiler movie i found was the ghost & darkness, a must have collection for anyone who loves wildlife. i was fortunate to find this movie on bit torrent and downloaded it. its abet 700 MB , VHS to DVD formate. If anyone wants to download just search in bit torrent.net. enjoy the movie. A wealthy farming family in a remote part of Nairobi is forced to take refuge in their mansion when a pride of hungry lions suffering the effects of the drought, comes in contact hunting for food. Game hunter Skerritt comes to the aid of his estranged wife Phillips and their children, fortifying the residence against numerous attacks throughout the night. Some rather harrowing attack scenes might shock some viewers, with the ensuing gorging on the cadavers likely to repulse others – it's a marvel of photographic choreography and timely editing that makes the attacks look very realistic.

Skerritt is an engaging hero and it's through his macho veneer that a lot of the personality and character is allowed to develop throughout the ordeal; his playboy image remains intact almost throughout, attempting to rekindle his relationship with his former wife any moment there's a brief respite from the onslaught. Without his professional contribution, the rest of the film would be a hollow action thriller. And while there are moments of overkill – the labored grief and consolation offered for the recently deceased, Skerritt's brief "Indianapolis" speech, and an ultimately pointless mortality moment, reminiscent of Jon Voight's deer encounter in "Deliverance" - the film generally manages to stay focused on the action. Special mention also must go to the musical score, which is effective as both an ambient and central mood setter.

The actual ferocity of the lions toward one another is just as confronting as the attacks on the characters – their performances are intensely aggressive. Ultimately, it's the realism that makes this obscurity worthy of more notice, and far superior to its British/South African produced predecessor, "Rogue Lion".