The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

So that Britain can achieve economic dominance in the continent, a resolute British colonel and engineer John Patterson (Val Kilmer) is hand-picked by a real sour-ass major to complete the construction of a river bridge in Uganda within five months. Operations go smoothly for several weeks until workers start getting pulled down by man-eating lions, even in daytime. The cats move like ghosts, eluding detection and retribution, and the imagination (or panic) of many fear-stricken workers gets the best of them. Patterson is determined to "sort things out" with the lions, finish his bridge, and be reunited with his wife and an infant son he has yet to see. However, night after night goes by without success, and additional attacks on the camp. Eventually, a nonchalant but wily hunter (Michael Douglas) arrives with a Masai tribe to kill the powerfully built lions. The movie is lush with swelling African-themed music and a cinematic respect for its native peoples. The director now and then springs developments on the viewer that feel contrived, such as having a bird repeatedly attack Patterson in the night, knocking him to the ground just as the lion arrives to lunge; or having Patterson leave his sniper's perch to enter the thicket and have yet another close call. Even so, the grass, the wind, and the snarls of the African landscape are employed to good effect and much tension is to be had -- and some gore. Here is a taut tale of terror faced by determination, uncertainty faced with camaraderie, and snarling death faced by steely courage. Enjoy! 4.5 stars. (2-28-2011, posted 1-14-2017)