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".

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.

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!

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 .