There's nothing fake about this film. It's shot beautifully, on real locations. Tippi Hedren and Melanie Griffith head a talented and fearless cast, who literally throw themselves in the jaws of the beasts over and over again. The picture has a terrific rhythm and is fun to watch but I couldn't help dwelling upon how dangerous a film it must have been to make. Although there were some poignant and funny moments like the scenes where dauntless John Marshall tries to pull his boat away from the shore but the lion keeps pulling it back or when he hides in a barrel filled with water and the lions begin to drink from it. The story seems simplistic in structure but is really quite profound in the way Marshall draws sympathy for the animals, brilliantly shot by John De Bont. The closeups of the dying beasts will bring tears to your eyes. This is must see for anyone who believes that filmmaking is artificial and safe.
