Instinct (1999)

Director:

Jon Turteltaub

Writers (WGA):

Gerald Di Pego (screenplay)
Gerald Di Pego (screen story)

Release Date:

4 June 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

One man's mind is another man's mystery.

Plot:

When a noted anthropologist who left society to live in the jungle is imprisoned for murder, it's up to young psychiatrist to get through to him.

Plot Keywords:

Psychiatrist | Murder | Africa | Ape | Gorilla

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Anthony Hopkins	...	Ethan Powell
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Theo Caulder
Donald Sutherland	...	Ben Hillard
Maura Tierney	...	Lynn Powell
George Dzundza	...	Dr. John Murray
John Ashton	...	Guard Dacks
John Aylward	...	Warden Keefer
Thomas Q. Morris	...	Pete
Doug Spinuzza	...	Nicko
Paul Bates	...	Bluto
Rex Linn	...	Guard Alan
Rod McLachlan	...	Guard Anderson
Kurt Smildsin	...	Guard #1
Jim R. Coleman	...	Guard #2
Tracey Ellis	...	Annie

Also Known As:

Ishmael (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for some intense violent behavior.

Runtime:

126 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:12 | USA:R (certificate #36450) | Brazil:18 | Australia:M | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Ireland:15 | Italy:T | New Zealand:M | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Spain:T | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | Argentina:13 | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Company:

Spyglass Entertainment

Trivia:

Sean Connery was originally offered the role of Ethan Powell.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Theo goes to visit Lynn at her home it is late at night, yet once inside the house, daylight is coming through the windows.

Quotes:

Ethan Powell: We have only one thing to give up. Our dominion. We don't own the world. We're not kings yet. Not gods. Can we give that up? Too precious, all that control? Too tempting, being a god?

Movie Connections:

References Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey (1988)

Why isn't this movie more well known?

I think this is a GREAT movie. It has a story line that while not complicated, is very different. And it is a great story that is very facinating. There were a number of great character acts too. There are a number of characters in the insane prison from a number of "unknown" actors that really give the movie added personality. It made me want to look up these actors to see what else they do. The scenes with the gorillas were tastefully done, with no over kill that made it look somewhat artificial, which so many movies tend to do. For example, 'Greystoke' starring Christofer Lambert as Tarzan, was an attempt at realism, but had the apes portraying some very human like relationships. Not so with 'Instinct'. The only thing I found spoilt the movie a bit was to suggest that an American insane prison setup would find it necessary, even encouraged, for inmates to be violent to each other. This ridiculous aspect brought the quality of the movie down a notch or two. The relationship between Hopkins and Gooding was fantastic. And the intense scene between them involving 'duck tape' really brought forth the message the movie was giving. SO, why is the movie more well known??? I guess the movie promoters just didn't do their job very well. OH WELL!!! Movie gets 8/10 from me.