Sigourney Weaver gives a tour-de-force performance in this fascinating account of Dian Fossey's ground-breaking research into the closed world of the gorilla. She admirably presents a warts-and-all portrait of the woman who slowly gained access to a tribe of remote primates facing extinction; according to Michael Apted's biographical drama, Fossey's passion for her gorillas was offset by her coldness as a human being and a commitment to her work that bordered on obsession. Apted's direction is sympathetic and he makes the most of the stunning jungle location. Bryan Brown is good as Weaver's lover, but the real acting accolades must go to the apes themselves.

The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.