Primeval is a 2007 thriller film which was released on January 12, 2007. The film was inspired by the true story of Gustave, a 2,000 pound (907 kg), 20 feet (6 meter) giant, man-eating crocodile in Burundi.[1]
Plot
The film opens as a forensic anthropologist is looking over a mass grave of people who have been killed by what she claims are identical gunshot wounds. Both the woman and the UN soldier head away from the mass graves to inspect another one on the south side. She digs her shovel into what she believes is another mass grave only to be attacked by an unseen creature. The anthropologist is dragged into the water as the UN soldier opens fire. Other soldiers show up and begin shooting at the attacker as it devours the woman and heads for deeper water.
The next setting is a New York City news room. Tim (Purcell), is looking at a TV and talking on his phone, waiting to see if his name is mentioned in connection with a case that he was working on in which the evidence was falsified. His cameraman and best friend Steven is telling him maybe their boss, Roger, did not see or hear what was being broadcast on the news. Right when he says that Tim is asked to see Roger. Tim sees Roger who in turn does not want to talk about his contract just yet, but instead introduces him to a very attractive woman standing by another television set viewing a report about the woman who was seen previously with the creature. The woman's name is Aviva and she is a reporter that focuses on reports dealing with animals being killed or harmed, and she is interested in the crocodile who is known to have killed hundreds of people in Africa. Tim is more-or-less "forced" into going to Africa with her and brings Steven along to help capture this creature.
In Burundi they meet Harry, who is there to warn them about "The Bush," as he calls it, and the dangerous warlord who lives there, who has nicknamed himself "Little Gustave." They meet wildlife expert Matt Collins. When they reach the village, they meet their guide, Jacob Kreig, and are blessed by the local shaman. The group gets a number of villagers to assemble the cage that will catch Gustave, and walk it to a nearby swamp. The first attempt to capture Gustave fails, but Matt manages to shoot him with a tracking dart. Steven, while getting scenic video, catches on film Little Gustave himself executing the shaman who blessed the group, along with his family.
Jojo, a villager who helped set up the cage, tries to capture Gustave using himself as bait in the hopes that if he captured Gustave, the group would take him to America. One of the guards is caught stealing money from a tent, and attempts to rape Aviva before Gustave shows up and kills him. Aviva runs to the group, and they return to the destroyed camp. The remaining guard shoots and wounds Jacob after it is revealed that both guards work for Little Gustave. As the guard is about to execute the group, Jojo shows up and shoots him with Jacob's elephant gun. While treating Jacob's wound, Gustave attacks the group. Jacob recalls the story of how his wife, Anna, was killed by Gustave, and that he swore revenge. Jacob produces a grenade, and detonates it as Gustave attacks him in an attempt to kill him, but fails. A helicopter appears to airlift the survivors. Little Gustave's men attempt to blow up the helicopter to stop them from showing the video of the execution. Matt is struck by a car and shot to death by Little Gustave's men, and the group gets separated. Steven gets separated from the group and Gustave chases him. Tim goes to look for Steven, but Aviva has to stay with the injured Jojo. Tim only finds Steven's camera. Harry arrives, but it is soon revealed that he is Little Gustave, and wants the video of the execution. Tim attempts to trick Little Gustave by giving him the GPS locator for the dart that tracks Gustave by saying it tracks the suitcase that has a copy of the video. Little Gustave declines and forces Tim to find the suitcase. While searching, Tim finds Steven's body, and kills the guard that was sent with him. Aviva splatters pheromones on Little Gustave, and Gustave comes and kills Little Gustave. Tim, Jojo and Aviva escape to the Range Rover and Gustave appears and attempts to kill all three but they manage to escape. We see the group on a plane home. The ending states that the civil war ended for good, but unfortunately, Gustave is still alive and killing more people.
Cast
Promotion
The film's promotional trailer dubs Gustave a "serial killer", who has claimed more than 300 victims and "remains at large". It is compared to Jack the Ripper and the Zodiac Killer with his non-human status never mentioned except for a brief line where the narrator says, "He's real, but he's not human." A shortened version of this trailer does not contain this at all. However, in the trailer, a crocodile, presumably Gustave, briefly flashes on screen. The promotional poster similarly calls Gustave "the most prolific serial killer in history". The film's official website rarely makes any mention that the killer is in fact a crocodile. Although the story is about a real crocodile, its similar reputation for causing 300 deaths is likely exaggerated.
Production
Filming for the movie commenced in April 2006 in South Africa.
- Released in theaters worldwide January 12, 2007.
- Approximate running time is 96 minutes.
- Another crocodile horror film, Rogue, had to be pushed back until Fall 2007 because of the film's similarities with Primeval.
See also
References
- ^ BBC world news article
External links
