Gorillas in the Mist

Docudrama about an intense biology work.

There is a TV movie-of-the-week feel to this film that it never quite overcomes - the film is basically a straightforward biography of Dian Fossey's work in central Africa. It is also quite one-dimensional in its approach, solely concerned with Fossey's admittedly noble efforts to protect the gorillas with little time given to the wider issues the film throws up. Apart from the central musical theme, the score is also incredibly grating at times, undercutting scenes that are intended to be tense or emotional. However, the central story of the mountain gorillas is interesting, the footage of the animals is certainly wonderful to look at and the film itself is held together by Sigourney Weaver's strong performance that fully deserved the plaudits it received at the time of release.