The Ghost and the Darkness

This is the most famous true African adventure,

famous because what took place at Tsavo never happened before.

Colonel John Patterson was there when it began.

A fine Irish gentleman,

a brilliant engineer.

He was my friend.

My name is Samuel.

I was there.

Remember this...

Even the most impossible parts of this story really happened.

John Henry Patterson. I'm Robert Beaumont.

Firm handshake. I like that. Tells me a lot about you.

Do sit down.

Now, why don't you tell me about me?

Well, to get you started,

many people fine me handsome with a wonderful smile.

I'm sure you agree.

Winning personality, heaps of charm.

My wife is the game player in the family, sir.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Look at me closely, Colonel Patterson.

I'm a monster.

My only pleasure is tormenting those people who work for me.

People like yourself.

Make one mistake, and I promise you,

I'll make you hate me.

We're in a race, Colonel,

and the prize is nothing less

than the continent of Africa.

We are building the most expensive and daring railroad in history

for the glorious purpose of saving Africa from the Africans

and, of course, to end slavery.

Our competitors are the Germans and the French.

We are ahead and we will stay ahead,

provided you do what I've hired you to do.

Build a bridge across the River Tsavo

and be finished in five months.

Can you do that?

I am sure you've examined my record.

You know I've never been late on a bridge.

I'm well aware of your distinguished record, Colonel,

but let me humbly remind you,

you've never built in Africa.

I have in India.

Each country presents its own challenges.

You'll need all your confidence, I promise you.

I love Africa. I've always wanted to go there.

And if I may speak personally,

my wife is having our firstborn in six months,

and I promised her I'd be there for the birth,

and I always keep my word.

Very moving, Colonel Patterson.

I'm... I'm touched you...you confided in me,

but I really don't give a shit about your upcoming litter.

I've made you with this assignment.

Don't make me break you.

You won't have the opportunity.

Any other words of encouragement?

Then I have a train to catch.

Tell me about Beaumont.

Does he understand how brilliant you are?

How lucky he is to have you?

It was embarrassing. The man showered me with praise.

Oh, dear. Tsk.

You're getting that downtrodden look again.

No. No.

I would never have taken this had we known sooner.

And you would have been in agony,

and it would have been my fault.

You've been desperate to see Africa all your life.

There may be difficulties.

There will be. There always are.

Which only means that our son and I,

will have an excuse to come and visit you.

All aboard!

Come along. Put me on the train.

You go.

Such a gentleman.

I am desperate to see Africa, but it's just a place.

You build bridges, John.

You have to go where the rivers are.

Bye.

Colonel Patterson!

No... No, thank you.

Colonel Patterson, yes? No, thank you.

No, thank you. No, thank you.

Welcome to Africa, sir, and good morning.

Angus Starling. I am to assist you at Tsavo.

But Beaumont will have told you that, surely.

No, actually.

He did give me his monster speech.

That. Oh, I know Robert seems dreadful,

but once you truly get to know the man, he's much worse.

And I'm one of his defenders.

Forget him for now.

Follow me, sir.

It's your first trip to Africa, yes?

Good, because I've reserved the best seats on the train.

They're amazing, aren't they?

You know the most amazing thing about them?

They sleep only five minutes a day.

Don't like them much.

The females are bigger.

Only animals here like that.

Have to be or they wouldn't survive

because the males eat the young.

Anything special about them?

Well, it's just that they fart through their mouths.

I bet they don't kiss very much.

I've lived in Africa for a year,

and I don't know what you know.

How long have you been here?

Just about 24 hours.

But I've been longing for this all my life.

Welcome to Tsavo.

Samuel!

Samuel's camp liaison, absolutely indispensable.

He's the only man here everyone trusts.

Does he speak English?

And very poor French.

Samuel, Colonel John Patterson.

The bridge builder.

We've been getting ready for you.

Good. I'd like to see the bridge site.

I've got some medical supplies to deliver.

Come along to the hospital when you're done.

I'll bring him, Angus.

Where are you from, Samuel?

That way, beyond those mountains.

I'm from...

Over there.

Everything seems to be under control.

Thank you. If it is, it's a miracle.

Why is that?

The truth is, the workers don't like each other at all.

Obviously, the Africans hate the Indians,

but the Indians also hate other Indians.

The Hindus believe cows are sacred,

while the Muslims eat the cows.

Do you eat a cow?

Of course.

I've worked with both Hindu and Muslim.

Perhaps I can help.

You can certainly try. It won't work.

Nothing works here.

Tsavo is the worst place in the world.

Advance camp is across there.

How many workers?

Three thousand men laying track.

Even though your bridge is not yet built,

each day they move two miles further away.

Did it look like this in your mind?

No.

This is more difficult.

Should be difficult.

What better job in all the world than build a bridge?

Bring land over water.

Bring worlds together.

Finish your tour?

Is this mostly malaria?

Yes, but their suffering is only transitory.

Once they accept God into their hearts.

That's just vomitus talk, Mr. Starling.

Poor bastards will get even sicker if you don't shut up.

David Hawthorne.

I'm, um...

This is my hospital.

And my advice to you is...

Don't get sick.

That was meant to be charming.

Sorry. I seem to have lost the knack.

You never had it.

Angus and I don't like each other much.

I am also a liaison between these two.

Clearly, you don't share Beaumont's vision.

This? This is a sham.

Who needs it? It's ridiculous.

It's only being built to protect the ivory trade,

make rich men richer.

Then why stay, Doctor?

Who else would hire me?

Beat you to it, didn't I?

Dr. Hawthorne... Oh, yes.

I almost forgot.

You seem to have brought bad luck with you. Come here.

This is Karim, one of my orderlies.

He was attacked by a man-eater earlier today.

A man-eater attacks,

and you're such a buffoon, you almost forget to mention it.

His injuries are only slight.

Been riding his donkey not far from here,

when suddenly a lion sprang on them.

Donkey took the brunt of it, then the lion ran off.

Thank you, Karim.

Now, I know this is your first day,

and you must be tired.

But, um...

What are you going to do about it?

With any luck, I'll sort it out this evening.

I don't suppose I could come and watch?