Man to Man (2005)

An epic about anthropologists who hunt and capture pygmies for study back in Europe, in an attempt to illustrate the link between man and ape.

Director:

Régis Wargnier

Writers:

William Boyd, Michel Fessler (screenplay),

Stars:

Joseph Fiennes, Kristin Scott Thomas, Iain Glen

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Fiennes	...	Jamie Dodd
Kristin Scott Thomas	...	Elena Van Den Ende
Iain Glen	...	Alexander Auchinleck
Hugh Bonneville	...	Fraser McBride
Lomama Boseki	...	Toko
Cécile Bayiha	...	Likola
Flora Montgomery	...	Abigail McBride
Patrick Mofokeng	...	Zachary
Alistair Petrie	...	Beckinsale
Hubert Saint-Macary	...	Comte de Verchemont
Mathew Zajac	...	Hector Duncan
William McBain	...	Angus
Robin Smith	...	Douglas
Theo Landey	...	Purvis
Ron Donachie	...	Sir Walter Stephenson

Storyline

1870. Dr. Jamie Dodd is elated : he has finally succeeded in capturing not one, but two pygmies. He brings them to Scotland with the help of Elena Van den Ende, an adventurous woman who sells wild animals to the zoos of Europe. His two anthropologist friends, Alexander and Fraser, and himself are certain they have discovered the missing link, which will make them famous. They start examining the pygmy couple from every angle and Jamie gradually discovers that Toko and Likola are just as sensitive and intelligent as any other homo sapiens. His two colleagues strongly reject this idea as it is glory they are after not the truth. Will Jamie be able to prove the two short people are genuine human beings and not freaks to be shown in a zoo?

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Plot Keywords:

pygmy | zoo | scotland | exploitation | cliff | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

MovieScore Media [se] Official site (English, French)

Country:

France South Africa UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 2005 (France)

Also Known As:

Czlowiek czlowiekowi

Filming Locations:

Bristo Square, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Box Office

Budget:

€2,175 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$769,223 (France) (22 April 2005)

Gross:

$2,241,545 (Europe) (22 April 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Vertigo Productions, Skyline Films, France 2 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

visa d'exploitation en France #97135

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Goofs

When Likola shoots Douglas in the cage trap/fight scene, she is using a model 1873 Colt Single Action Army revolver (a.k.a. "The Peacemaker"), an evident mistake since the action is clearly stated to be set in the year 1870.

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Quotes

Toko: Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
[chuckles]
Toko: Jamie...

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Soundtracks

"Three blind mice"
(traditional)

User Reviews

Mildly entertaining movie with humanistic vision

Man To Man tries hard to be a good movie: it has its heart at the right place, it aspires to be epic and it has a message that no doubt everybody will appreciate. But there lies also some of the problems of this picture. It strives so hard to be good and to get its message across that sometimes the viewer must feel unchallenged. So it is only adequate that the images which are used by this picture are simplistic

• Man To Man doesn't let the viewer decide what he thinks is right but

is hammering its message in his head. Joseph Fiennes exemplifies this in his role: he does his best to look concerned, genuinely moved and all the other emotions you can express with the single one facial expression his repertoire has to offer. Add that the movie is overlong and loses its speed towards the end you would be easily led to the conclusion that Man To Man is not worth watching. But there are enough points to defend it: it is entertaining, has some humorous scenes and the show-stealing Kristin Scott Thomas. Of course you should not compare it to humanistic masterpieces like The Elephant Man (David Lynch) but you'll be leaving the theatre satisfied. It tries to grab your heart (even if your brain thinks that it is too obvious) and succeeds most of the time.