The Ghost and the Darkness

[Speedbird]

So, I just watched the above titled film on BBC1. A Val Kilmer/Michael Douglas vehicle. The screen notes say it was based on a true story, anyone point me in the direction of the original story it was based on?

What did you make of the clothes and hats? Not so much Michael Douglas' wild mountain man 'eat yer your young fer breakfast' character but the Val Kilmer and the railway boss' characters?

[Feraud]

The film was based on a book called The Man-Eaters of Tsavo by Lt. Col. Patternson. I believe one of the lions killed is located at the Field Museum in Chicago.

[rmrdaddy]

The Field Museum has both of the mounted lions as claimed here:
http://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibits/...maneaters.html

[rmrdaddy]

And back on topic, I liked the costuming myself. Patterson was attired as the professional military man he was and I really liked the suit and hat of the "gent" from the British East Africa Company, even though they made his character a blowhard who was impossible to like.

[Zombie_61]

The screen notes say it was based on a true story, anyone point me in the direction of the original story it was based on?

Here is a somewhat brief Wikipedia entry on the phenomenon. The film isn't factually accurate, but it's a good story regardless.

[Mike K.]

Ahhh...The Ghost and The Darkness. This is one of my favorite movies, and based on the true life experiences of Patterson during the construction of the Tsavo bridge along the Lunatic Express line. There has been a lot of debate as to exactly how many people the lions actually killed, but there is no question about the Michael Douglas character being totally fictitious. You'll notice since Douglas was the executive producer, he just had to make up a character for himself and insert his name into the credits as "lead" actor. But this is somewhat beside the point of this thread. The costumes are amazing. I cannot vouch for the period accuracy of the clothing/gear, but perhaps BellyTank, Mojave Jack, Nick Charles, or others can provide more insight on this. I noticed that Remington does wear American Civil War cavalry boots which are consistent with the timeline and storyline. I searched long and hard but finally found a pair of russet riding boots (in my size) like Patterson wears. As for the rest of the Patterson kit, the hat is very similar to the Akubra military slouch hat with some modifications. The leather Sam Browne belt and accoutrements can be purchased online from WPG for a reasonable cost. There are quite a number of us on The Fedora Lounge that wear the British Colonial/East Africa look on a near-daily basis. We have posted mostly in the old (and overly large) Adventurers Gear Thread. I, for one, need to post some updated photos of my gear & clothing inspired by this time period (and movies like Ghost & Darkness, Out of Africa, etc.). This will be a great thread to do that and I'll try to get updates by this weekend.

[Mike K.]

[Speedbird]

The film was based on a book called The Man-Eaters of Tsavo by Lt. Col. Patternson. I believe one of the lions killed is located at the Field Museum in Chicago.

thanks Mr Feraud ... you are a gentleman and a scholar, sir! I will see if I can find the book on Amazon. Thank you.

[Speedbird]

And back on topic, I liked the costuming myself. Patterson was attired as the professional military man he was and I really liked the suit and hat of the "gent" from the British East Africa Company, even though they made his character a blowhard who was impossible to like.

Interesting, if a little sad not to mention wierd, about the lions being stuffed and in the Field Museum. It would be spooky to come face to face with them!

This is but is there a reason why Chicago and "Field" seem to go together like ham and eggs? I really like Chicago, having visited once in 2001. I am a Brit so forgive me if the answer is obvious - but I am thinking Wrigley Field, Soldier Field (is that correct? for the Chicago Bears stadium?) and Field Museum. What is it with "Field"?

[Speedbird]

Here is a somewhat brief Wikipedia entry on the phenomenon. The film isn't factually accurate, but it's a good story regardless.

Thanks Zombie, I enjoyed the film as a good story. It was a good watch. I do tend to like Val Kilmer movies though - even though he always seems to be Val Kilmer in any role he plays! I loved his 'Doc' in 'Tombstone'. I hope that isn't too wrong of me!