Gorillas in the Mist
At the far ends of the earth she found a reason to live, and a cause to fight for.
Overview
The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Released in 1988, the film arrived during a growing awareness of environmental issues and endangered species. The movie helped galvanize public support for gorilla conservation efforts and highlighted the devastating effects of poaching and habitat destruction. The real-life Dian Fossey was a controversial figure, and the film, while largely sympathetic, acknowledges the complexities of her character and methods.
- Sigourney Weaver's powerful and committed performance as Dian Fossey is captivating and earned her an Academy Award nomination.
- The film vividly portrays the beauty of the Rwandan rainforest and the plight of the endangered mountain gorillas, raising awareness about conservation.
- The narrative explores themes of dedication, obsession, the conflict between humanity and nature, and the ethical responsibilities of scientific research.
- It presents a compelling biographical story of a woman who challenged established norms and fought fiercely for what she believed in.
Fun Facts
- Sigourney Weaver spent a significant amount of time with gorillas in Rwanda to prepare for her role, learning their behavior and vocalizations.
- The film was shot on location in Rwanda, adding to its authenticity, although filming became challenging due to political instability in the region.
- The real-life death of Dian Fossey remains unsolved and shrouded in mystery; the movie offers a possible, though speculative, explanation.
Available Languages
English
US
Title:
"At the far ends of the earth she found a reason to live, and a cause to fight for."
Deutsch
DE
Title: Gorillas im Nebel
"Die Leidenschaft der Dian Fossey"
Français
FR
Title: Gorilles dans la Brume
"Aux confins de la terre, elle a trouvé une raison de vivre et une cause pour laquelle se battre."
Italiano
IT
Title: Gorilla nella nebbia
"Ha rischiato la vita in una terra di straordinaria bellezza per in seguire il suo sogno di salvare i gorilla dall'estinzione. L'avventura di Dian Fossey."
Español
ES
Title: Gorilas en la niebla
"En los confines de la tierra encontró una razón para vivir y una causa por la que luchar."
Nederlands
NL
Title:
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Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
I was the first born and mom and dad really didn't believe in censorship growing up, as a result I saw a lot of movies that are probably inappropriate for my age. Most of the time I can honestly say that they had no real effect on me...
...but the parts of this movie traumatized me as much as Bambi and Old Yeller.
I just recently tried re-watching it, and had to shut it off because I remembered what was coming. Poachers.
I'm almost 40, I can watch truly horrific movies where humans are harmed in the worst possible ways, but I still can't make it through Gorillas in the Mist.
However, what I can watch I always like. I firmly believe that (aside from the Alien movies) this is one of Weaver's absolutely best roles. That being said, if you can sit through it, bully for you, it is worth it.
"Gorillas in the Mist" is a very worthwhile film and it perfectly highlights Dian Fossey's occasionally groundbreaking work. She actually managed to integrate herself into the mountain gorilla community - this results in some superb shots of the mountain gorilla in its natural habitat and it is genuinely difficult to differentiate between what could possibly be mechanical special effects and the real great apes - and it soon begins to seem as though her gradually all consuming work supersedes many other aspects of her life (she even begins to refer to the gorillas and the mountain they live on as her own) and she willingly sacrifices a blossoming romance with the photographer Bob Campbell in order to stay on the mountain with the gorillas to study them. Dian Fossey achieved recognition through her work and this film ends with the fact the gorilla population continues to multiply as the enduring spirit of her accomplishments lives on, but this coda is juxtaposed with the sobering knowledge that her untimely death remains a mystery.
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE - 1988
Sigourney Weaver
FILM EDITING - 1988
Stuart Baird
MUSIC (Original Score) - 1988
Maurice Jarre
SOUND - 1988
Andy Nelson, Brian Saunders, Peter Handford
WRITING (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) - 1988
Anna Hamilton Phelan, Tab Murphy
Media
Trailer
Gorillas In The Mist Trailer HD
Featurette
Sigourney Weaver Reunites with the Gorillas from 'Gorillas in the Mist'