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Gorillas in the Mist

Original title: Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey
  • 1988
  • PG-13
  • 2h 9m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
31K
YOUR RATING
Sigourney Weaver in Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer2:03
1 Video
99+ Photos
DocudramaJungle AdventureBiographyDrama

The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.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
    • Dian Fossey
    • Anna Hamilton Phelan
  • Stars
    • Sigourney Weaver
    • Bryan Brown
    • Julie Harris
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    31K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Apted
    • Writers
      • Harold T.P. Hayes
      • Dian Fossey
      • Anna Hamilton Phelan
    • Stars
      • Sigourney Weaver
      • Bryan Brown
      • Julie Harris
    • 78User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 6 wins & 10 nominations total

    Videos1

    Gorillas in the Mist
    Trailer 2:03
    Gorillas in the Mist

    Photos113

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    + 107
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    Top cast22

    Edit
    Sigourney Weaver
    Sigourney Weaver
    • Dian Fossey
    Bryan Brown
    Bryan Brown
    • Bob Campbell
    Julie Harris
    Julie Harris
    • Roz Carr
    John Omirah Miluwi
    John Omirah Miluwi
    • Sembagare
    Iain Cuthbertson
    Iain Cuthbertson
    • Dr. Louis Leakey
    Konstantin Aleksandrov
    • Claude Van Veeten
    • (as Constantin Alexandrov)
    Waigwa Wachira
    • Mukara
    Iain Glen
    Iain Glen
    • Brendan
    David Lansbury
    David Lansbury
    • Larry
    Maggie O'Neill
    Maggie O'Neill
    • Kim
    Konga Mbandu
    • Rushemba
    Michael J. Reynolds
    Michael J. Reynolds
    • Howard Dowd
    Gordon Masten
    Gordon Masten
    • Photographer
    Peter Nduati
    • Batwa chief
    Helen Fraser
    • Mme. Van Vecten
    John Alexander
    John Alexander
    • Mime artist
    Peter Elliott
    Peter Elliott
    • Mime artist
    Denise Cheshire
    Denise Cheshire
    • Mime artist
    • Director
      • Michael Apted
    • Writers
      • Harold T.P. Hayes
      • Dian Fossey
      • Anna Hamilton Phelan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews78

    7.030.6K
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    Featured reviews

    7manuelvillalta

    Not boring at all

    despite what other people might say this movie was not boring at all, it had beautiful acting, specially from Mrs. Weaver, beautiful cinematography and a strong story, just because the movie had a very sad and not expected ending it doesn't make it boring, give it a chance, we might be just giving our personal opinions. please make your own.
    8disdressed12

    very fine movie "based on" the life of Primate expert Dian Fossey

    this movie is based on the life of Dian Fossey and her work with the gorillas in a remote part of Africa."based on" usually means that some of the content is true and parts of it are fictionalized for dramatic effect.for sure Dian Fossey did work with gorillas in Africa and was instrumental in the increase of their population.some of the details may have been altered,but the gist of the story is true.i thought it was a very entertaining,touching and heartbreaking story.i think Sigourney weaver did a great job as Dian Fossey.she really brought some passion to the character.the movie was also thought provoking and i actually became angry more than a few times about some of the incidents that occurred.i find it rare to become so actively involved with a movie nowadays.for me "Gorillas in the Mist" is at a strong 8/10
    matay19

    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!
    10GilraenEstel

    A wonderful portrayal of one woman's dream

    Who was Dian Fossey? Enviromental enthusiast? Insane eco-warrior? Or both?

    Gorillas In The Mist is the story of this extraordinary woman whose work with Mountain Gorillas in Congo, and subsequently Rwanda, quite possibly saved these beautiful creatures from extinction. Her hard work and determination in studying these wonderful animals led to an amazing living arrangement with them.

    How simply amazing must it be to touch, play and hold hands with a silverback Gorilla in the wilds of Africa? How would it feel to find that same silverback with his head, hands and feet cut off by poachers? To be frank, these gorillas were Dian Fossey's children - each had a name, each had their own unique trait - so it is hardly surprising that she became a little possessive and started treating the animals as her own. The horrors that she experienced on those mountains would send anyone mad.

    Sigourney Weaver is simply superb as Fossey, portraying her hard work and gradual decline into insanity with that touch that only a few actresses possess. Her chemistry with co-star Bryan Brown adds to the feel of the film and the fact that she was brave enough to go anywhere near real gorillas is fascinating. To be fair, the two hours do drag a little, but Weaver is talented enough to carry the film through it.

    Weaver once said "I only get the parts that Meryl [Streep] passes up" but to be honest, I couldn't imagine this brilliant woman being played by anyone else but Sigourney.
    8SnoopyStyle

    great compelling biopic

    Dian Fossey (Sigourney Weaver) brow beats Dr. Louis Leakey into letting go into the jungle to research mountain gorillas. She's joined by a local guide Sembagare and a National Geographic photographer Bob Campbell (Bryan Brown).

    It's a well biopic from director Michael Apted of an amazing woman and an amazing life. The performances are first class. Sigourney Weaver is able to project a certain self confidence in the character.

    The other thing I want to mention is the realism of the gorilla suits. It is hard to tell the difference between the real thing and the suits. It's of the utmost importance because we wouldn't want to be hampered by 'Planet of Apes' retreads.

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    Related interests

    Jesse Eisenberg in The Social Network (2010)
    Docudrama
    Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, and Karen Gillan in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
    Jungle Adventure
    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Universal and Warner Bros. were both making biopics of Dian Fossey at the same time, and both were competing to gain access to film gorillas in Rwanda. The Rwandan government refused access to film the gorillas until the two studios could come to an agreement. At that point, Warner and Universal decided to merge their two projects into a single film.
    • Goofs
      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.
    • Quotes

      Dian Fossey: Get off my mountain!

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Gorillas in the Mist/Patty Hearst/Sweet Hearts Dance/Miles from Home/Dead Ringers (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      September in the Rain
      Written by Harry Warren & Al Dubin

      Performed by Peggy Lee

      Courtesy of Ray Avery's Jazz Archives

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    FAQ25

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    • Is 'Gorillas in the Mist' based on a book?
    • Were those real gorillas in the movie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 7, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Kirundi
    • Also known as
      • Gorilas en la niebla
    • Filming locations
      • Kenya
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Warner Bros.
      • The Guber-Peters Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $22,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $24,720,479
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $366,925
      • Sep 25, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $61,149,479
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 9m(129 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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