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

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 6 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	...	Claude 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.

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Plot Keywords:

gorilla | africa | based on true story | mountain | nature | 

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Taglines:

They were beautiful

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Jessica Lange turned down the lead role due to her pregnancy.

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Goofs

In the scenes where Dian drives from the town to the mountains in a land rover, the vehicle used is Series III Land Rover, which first went into production in 1972, in 1966 the Series II was the production Land Rover, and sported a wire grill, and inset headlights, as opposed to the III's plastic grill, and lights in wings, as in the film.

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Quotes

Dian Fossey: Can I have a bath first?
Bob Campbell: You can have a bath second.
Dian Fossey: Why am I in this movie so much?
Bob Campbell: You're the story. You're what people are interested in. The gorilla girl.
Dian Fossey: It makes me look like some real weirdo.
Bob Campbell: Crawling around the mud in this climate after a bunch of gorillas might be perceived as weird.
Dian Fossey: Do you think I'm weird?
Bob Campbell: I do. Absolutely. Without question. I also think you are wonderful.
Dian Fossey: Which comes first, weird or wonderful?
Bob Campbell: Weird.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in An Idiot Abroad: Meet a Gorilla (2011)

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Soundtracks

It's A Good Day
Written by Peggy Lee & Dave Barbour
Performed by Peggy Lee
Courtesy of Capitol Records Inc. Special Markets

User Reviews

A story of survival, heart break and Gorillas in theMist

This amazing film inspired me to do something, to somehow involve myself in the rescue attempt of one of Mother Natures most cherished possesions, Animals.

This inspiring tale is a true story and is based in the Congo region of Africa, where Dian Fossey (Sigourney Weaver), is sent to find more information about the little known, Mountain Gorillas.

Dian starts as a bystander pleading to be sent for the trip to Africa in-order to help in some way or form. And boy does she finish wrapped in the core of the Mountain Gorillas chance of survival.

Dian Faces love, war, and poachers and beats them of one by one as her courage and determination prevails, she is truly an icon, a lady to be remembered.

This is made possible by the outstanding performance of Sigourney Weaver who amazingly succeeds in portraying this strong willed; complex character. Sigourney is an fantastically gifted actor and shows us this in this movie.

A must see, a winner, Go Sigourney!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gorilles dans la brume

Filming Locations:

Zaire

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$366,925, 25 September 1988

Gross USA:

$24,720,479

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$61,149,479

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1