Gorillas in the Mist

The gorilla suits used in movies up to this time had obvious anatomical differences from real gorillas. For instance, the wearer's real eyes were seen, forcing modification to the face. For this film, director Michael Apted wanted to use real gorillas where possible, but some shots would have to use gorilla suits, so the difference would show. Rick Baker met the challenge and created gorilla suits good enough that Apted could do what he wanted.

Dian did not try to convince Leakey to send her to Africa, nor did she volunteer to remove her appendix, quite the opposite: In 1966, Leakey contacted Fossey and urged her to study gorillas in the wild as an experiment. At first Fossey was reluctant citing her lack of experience, but eventually agreed upon further coercion. To test her enthusiasm Leakey asked Fossey to have her appendix removed in the pretense of health measures which she then did.

Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Gorillas in the Mist/Patty Hearst/Sweet Hearts Dance/Miles from Home/Dead Ringers (1988)