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

Opening film for 55th Berlin International Film Festival on February 10, 2005 (world premiere).

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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

Elena Van Den Ende: You and I would make a great alliance.
Jamie Dodd: Alliance?

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Soundtracks

"Three blind mice"
(traditional)

User Reviews

The real savages are those who think they are civilized

I wanted to love this movie, but it just didn't move me that much. The story in itself is very strong. It's about a group of anthropologists capturing a pygmies couple to England for scientific purposes. They treat the two as if they are not human, but some kind of link between man and ape. It's a painful story of an era in time in which western society thought itself to be superior over other races. The real savages are not the pygmy couple, but those that don't want to accept that they are just as human as themselves. It's also about how science can become dangerous when scientists lose their empathy for the persons they are testing and how that can lead to inhumane situations.

Like I said, it's definitely a strong subject for a movie. And apart from that, the settings are okay, the acting is strong and the dialogues really depict the scientific society of Britain in those days. I still had the feeling that something was missing. Its main character Docter Dudd ( Joseph Fiennes ) is too quickly transforming from heartless scientist to someone with heart for the pygmies couple. His partner in crime - clandestine animal smuggler Elena van den Ende ( Kristin Scott Thomas )- never really gets into the story and she's choosing sides way too quickly. And I think that there are some strange plot twists that just aren't that believable.

At the end, it's a good movie. Maybe not as good as it could've been. But for those with a heart for period pieces with an important message on colonialism in past days, it's good enough.