Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
"Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey" (original title)

The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.

Director:

Michael Apted

Writers:

Harold T.P. Hayes (article), Dian Fossey (work),

Stars:

Sigourney Weaver, Bryan Brown, Julie Harris

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sigourney Weaver	...	Dian Fossey
Bryan Brown	...	Bob Campbell
Julie Harris	...	Roz Carr
John Omirah Miluwi	...	Sembagare
Iain Cuthbertson	...	Dr. Louis Leakey
Constantin Alexandrov	...	Van Veeten
Waigwa Wachira	...	Mukara
Iain Glen	...	Brendan
David Lansbury	...	Larry
Maggie O'Neill	...	Kim
Konga Mbandu	...	Rushemba
Michael J. Reynolds	...	Howard Dowd
Gordon Masten	...	Photographer
Peter Nduati	...	Batwa chief
Helen Fraser	...	Mme. Van Vecten

Storyline

Sigourney Weaver stars as Dian Fossey, in this true story about Fossey's study of gorillas, and her efforts to stop the decimation of the endangered apes.

---

Plot Keywords:

gorilla | africa | mountain | sympathy | extinction | 

---

Taglines:

At the far ends of the earth she found a reason to live, and a cause to fight for.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama

---

Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gorillas in the Mist

Filming Locations:

Karisoke Research Centre, Virunga Conservation Area, Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$24,720,479 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, Guber-Peters Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The gorilla suits used in movies up to this time had obvious anatomical differences from real gorillas; for instance, the wearer's real eyes were seen, forcing modification to the face. For this film director Michael Apted wanted to use real gorillas where possible, but some shots would have to use gorilla suits, so the difference would show. 'Rick Baker' met the challenge and created gorilla suits good enough that Apted could do what he wanted.

---

Goofs

When Fossey's plane lands in Africa, the tires screech when they touch the runway. However, it's a grassy runway, so this is impossible.

---

Quotes

Dian Fossey: Shit, shit... I fell in shit!

---

Connections

Referenced in Modern Family: Planes, Trains and Cars (2012)

---

Soundtracks

"September in the Rain"
Written by Harry Warren & Al Dubin
Performed by Peggy Lee
Courtesy of Ray Avery's Jazz Archives

User Reviews

very fine movie "based on" the life of Primate expert Dian Fossey

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