Savage Harvest

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 .

A pride of lions attack a family in Africa, surrounding the house, and trying to get in persistently.This is the best movie I ever seen about lions. Besides, is a real story, a terrific one. Obviously, lions are superstars in this movie (but sincerely their performance is even better than human crew), the scenes about attacking pride are almost real, scaring, stressing; beautiful African landscapes. Please, someone ask to Twentieth Century Fox or birch class productions to release it on DVD format. Have you seen how many people are searching for it in the internet? I'm looking for this film two years ago. Unfortunately, this is out of stock. If you are a lucky owner, keep it safe because this is probably the last one in the market .... and ENJOY!

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!

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.

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.