In some ways stemming off from discussion in the 'Zoos as Playgrounds' thread, I thought it'd be interesting to see how many ZooChatters here had seen this film and what they thought of it. There isn't much interest in zoos within TV and film and they mostly only feature in one or two scenes, so Fierce Creatures is rare in containing a plot entirely revolving around a zoo.
For those who haven't seen it, the film came out in 1997 and starred John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin, and it was regarded as a follow up to A Fish Called Wanda by utilising the same cast and crew. The setting, 'Marwood Zoo', was a combination of a set at Pinewood Studios and location filming was done at two real zoos, Marwell and Jersey. The plot involves a quaint, english zoo being taken over by an American Mega-Company in an attempt to make more money. The new rule from this takeover is that the zoo must send away all their harmless, 'cute' creatures in order to only keep species potentially violent and dangerous, and the benefit of brand advertising to keep the zoo financially stable.
What's interesting is that discussion elsewhere on the board has been about whether the plot was based on a real account, and whether it brings to mind current going-ons, where zoos comerciallise to the point of silliness to keep themselves alive. In fact, Fierce Creatures could be used as a point-hold of any discussion related to anything vaugely 'un zoo-like' being utilised within the places we all know and love.
And then there's also little points of interest, as the film shows a quite a wide understanding of the zoo world and how it all works, the film itself dedicated to the late Gerald Durrell. And in one very breif scene you can see the John Cleese's character's notice board covered in leaflets and clippings from the real zoo world, such as Marwell's 1992 leaflet and a newspaper article about John Aspinall.
For those who haven't seen it, the film came out in 1997 and starred John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline and Michael Palin, and it was regarded as a follow up to A Fish Called Wanda by utilising the same cast and crew. The setting, 'Marwood Zoo', was a combination of a set at Pinewood Studios and location filming was done at two real zoos, Marwell and Jersey. The plot involves a quaint, english zoo being taken over by an American Mega-Company in an attempt to make more money. The new rule from this takeover is that the zoo must send away all their harmless, 'cute' creatures in order to only keep species potentially violent and dangerous, and the benefit of brand advertising to keep the zoo financially stable.
What's interesting is that discussion elsewhere on the board has been about whether the plot was based on a real account, and whether it brings to mind current going-ons, where zoos comerciallise to the point of silliness to keep themselves alive. In fact, Fierce Creatures could be used as a point-hold of any discussion related to anything vaugely 'un zoo-like' being utilised within the places we all know and love.
And then there's also little points of interest, as the film shows a quite a wide understanding of the zoo world and how it all works, the film itself dedicated to the late Gerald Durrell. And in one very breif scene you can see the John Cleese's character's notice board covered in leaflets and clippings from the real zoo world, such as Marwell's 1992 leaflet and a newspaper article about John Aspinall.
It served as an opportunity for the gang from "A Fish Called Wanda" to become reunited, and "Wanda" is a much funnier movie. Kevin Kline even won an Academy Award!