Savage Harvest

Well cheers........ I saw this movie about 14 years back when I was six or seven years old........ So I just remember the outline of the story and a few scenes here and there......... Though What I do remember for sure is that It scared the hell outta me even though there was about six more people watching with me........... It was quite some time thereafter that I was able to get it outta my mind...........About when I entered my teens........It gets scarier towards the end........It was haunting ........ Maybe I wuz a sissy, but I'm sure I ain't the only one around...... Lions comin from chimney... encroaching upon your house... breaking through the doors.... Now thats scary... But I guess it definitely must have been too good and too real to scare me like that.... And sure must be as difficult as hell to train those lions like that...... Cheers ... Enjoy.... Hallelujah...

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".

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.

A hard times of drought in Kenya.A white family lives on a desiccated plantation.Suddenly the members of the family and their African servants are attacked by a pack of starving lions.The fight for survival begins.It's up to Tom Skerrit to save them from predatory death..."Savage Harvest" is a tense and exciting animal attack horror with several truly realistic lion attacks.The death scenes are quite nasty and the acting is believable.The script pretty much resembles "Night of the Living Dead" with people trapped in the building and hungry lions hunting for their meat.Japanese version of "Savage Harvest" is gorier and longer than American version.8 out of 10.

I have been looking for a copy of this movie since I saw it several times during a cable-TV run.As is often the case I didn't know I wanted a copy until years had passed and I have been unable to view it or own it. I want to watch it with my grandchildren;to add it to the list of things I want them to know while I am still able to play the part of wise old grandad.I have enjoyed repeating one of the lines:" Mem-Saab said stay inside" to my sons who have seen the movie,as "We don't need no stinking Batches"et al.The movie I am sure will not disappoint my 'students" if I can obtain a copy and herd them into a viewing mood and room.The lion, victim interaction beats any other frightening movie of which animals are a prominent feature earthly or unearthly .