Gorillas in the Mist (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 | mountain | africa | woman | motivational | 

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Taglines:

They were beautiful

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gorillas in the Mist

Filming Locations:

Zaire

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$24,720,479

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$61,149,479

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

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sembagare (John Omirah Miluwi), is based on Rosamund Carr's former house boy Sembagare Munyamboneza who set up the Imbabazi orphanage with her in 1994 after the Rwandan Genocide.

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Goofs

After Dr. Leakey has instructed Dian Fossey about the jeep, a man in a beige suit beckons him to the plane. In the next shot with Leakey near to him, he is suddenly wearing sunglasses, but in subsequent shots after they've run to the plane and turn around one last time, the sunglasses are gone again.

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Quotes

Dian Fossey: I need eight more Halloween masks - only red ones. Or ones with red hair.
Bob Campbell: I won't even ask why, but I'll try to get some for you in Nairobi.
Dian Fossey: What else will you do in Nairobi?
Bob Campbell: What do you mean?
Dian Fossey: Nothing. Never mind. It looks bad for flying.
Bob Campbell: It'll pass.
Dian Fossey: I don't think so.
Bob Campbell: Those puddle jumpers can fly in anything.
Dian Fossey: I know these storms. You shouldn't be flying. I'm right about this.
Bob Campbell: Yes, you are right. I will be seeing my wife.
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Batman: The Brave and the Bold: Gorillas in Our Midst! (2010)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Was emotionally stirring, and inspiring.

This movie was emotionally stirring, and inspiring. This movie is about someone very brave who saw a terrible problem and tried to do something about it. Not just fussed about it, but actually DID something. The movie is hard for a tender hearted person to take sometimes, but it will inspire you to get out there and make a difference. I had tears streaming down my face the first time I watched...and the second and third time too. There should be many more movies like this made.