Gefangene der Bestien

A wealthy farming family in a remote part of Nairobi is forced to take refuge in their mansion when a pride of hungry lions suffering the effects of the drought, comes in contact hunting for food. Game hunter Skerritt comes to the aid of his estranged wife Phillips and their children, fortifying the residence against numerous attacks throughout the night. Some rather harrowing attack scenes might shock some viewers, with the ensuing gorging on the cadavers likely to repulse others – it's a marvel of photographic choreography and timely editing that makes the attacks look very realistic.

Skerritt is an engaging hero and it's through his macho veneer that a lot of the personality and character is allowed to develop throughout the ordeal; his playboy image remains intact almost throughout, attempting to rekindle his relationship with his former wife any moment there's a brief respite from the onslaught. Without his professional contribution, the rest of the film would be a hollow action thriller. And while there are moments of overkill – the laboured grief and consolation offered for the recently deceased, Skerritt's brief "Indianapolis" speech, and an ultimately pointless mortality moment, reminiscent of Jon Voight's deer encounter in "Deliverance" - the film generally manages to stay focused on the action. Special mention also must go to the musical score, which is effective as both an ambient and central mood setter.

The actual ferocity of the lions toward one another is just as confronting as the attacks on the characters – their performances are intensely aggressive. Ultimately, it's the realism that makes this obscurity worthy of more notice, and far superior to its British/South African produced predecessor, "Rogue Lion".

I taped this movie years ago and wondered at the time how the lion scenes were produced. I watched it again today and am still perplexed. Was this filmed in Africa or in the US with circus lions? There was another film, "The Gods Must Be Crazy II" in which lions played a significant role. I'd like explanations.

Lions, tigers and bears oh my. Well actually there's no threat of tigers and bears, but however lions feature prominently in this gripping, heart-stopping little under siege survival feature that sees a family holding up in their plantation homestead while outside await some hungry predators with a taste for human flesh. Five years of drought has stricken Africa, grass eaters have vanished and a new prey has become the hunted. What surprised me about "Savage Harvest" (and not that it was based upon actual events) was how immensely intense and convincing the attacks scenes were (unsparing, bloody and with ferocity) and going a long way to cementing that success was how well trained the lions came across. The lions are truly the stars here. From this you are thrown right in to the taut situation with the family and it's made the more harrowing (projected by a stirring score) as the characters are treated with respect, believability and constant development. Sure it might be a familiar set-up, but there's no denying that it's effectively handled with some very good performances by Tom Skerritt (who's quite likable in the lead), Michelle Phillips (looking quite ravishing) and Shawn Stevens. The pacing can be a stop and go affair, as when it wasn't focusing on the lingering threat it's a waiting game. Time was spent either trying to figure a way out of the problem, or family dramas would come to the forefront and then to keep everyone in a good mood is was time to sing some "Beatles" classics until an unexpected guest drops in. Director Robert Collins delivers authentic grit from the surroundings and crafts an unsettling sense that doesn't waver. A good build-up (plenty of lion POV shots) and a just as good payoff that keeps you involved to the very end.

Imagine "The Birds" or "Night of The Living Dead", but with lions instead of birds and zombies, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what this movie is like. Rather passable stuff, except for some unintentionally funny scenes (like the sight of lions entering the house through the chimney or walking on the kitchen sink). Pretty good acting, too - both by the lions and by Tom Skerrit. (**)

Normally, when a movie is unavailable anywhere, it is because the movie is lousy. Savage Harvest though is a different story. It's sort of a Jaws-like thriller but involves killer lions and is set on the veldts of Kenya. It features an American family under siege by the cats and it is these scenes that really make the movie. The early scenes which set up the action are forgettable but once the lions take the stage, the suspense begins to mount. The film features some pretty real-looking attacks. Hopefully the animal trainers and wranglers were well paid. Nobody seems to have heard of this movie but if you happen to spot it on cable TV, give it a look. It's worth it!