Gorilla
(1974)
In the depths of Zaire's Kahuzi-Biega National Park, award-winning wildlife cameraman Dieter Plage explores the incredibly social world of the mountain gorilla. Spending six months with the Park's founder, Belgian conservationist Adrien Deschryver, Plage's beautiful cinematography captures these remarkable creatures in their small pocket of protected land.
A deeply moving account of these charismatic primates, this hour long film was hugely popular and is credited with changing the nation's negative perception of gorillas.
In dramatic scenes the tale of an abandoned baby is shown in heart-stopping detail. Brought into the forest by Deschryver to help it adjust to its natural habitat, it begins to scream when it hears other gorillas, and is subsequently snatched from him by the dominant silverback. Stunning photography captures the sheer force of the silverback’s intimidating demonstration before he grabs the youngster.
Gorilla is a touching and intimate glimpse into the lives of these gentle, highly intelligent animals described by Survival's co-founder Colin Willock as, "the most impressive animal in the world".
