loading loading...

I Dreamed Of Africa Details

2000 Certificate 12
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 525 members

Based on the book of the same name, I DREAMED OF AFRICA is the true story of Kuki Gallman (Kim Basinger), a wealthy Italian socialite whose life changes abruptly after a near fatal car crash. Vowing to appreciate her life more deeply, she agrees to marry Paolo Gallman (Vincent Perez), a man she does not know well, and sets off .. Read more

Starring Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Daniel Craig
Director Hugh Hudson
Genres Drama

Sign up I Dreamed Of Africa DVD

Buy From: £5.43

loading loading...

I Dreamed Of Africa cover art

I Dreamed Of Africa

Based on the book of the same name, I DREAMED OF AFRICA is the true story of Kuki Gallman (Kim Basinger), a wealthy Italian socialite whose life changes abruptly after a near fatal car crash. Vowing to appreciate her life more deeply, she agrees to marry Paolo Gallman (Vincent Perez), a man she does not know well, and sets off with her young son, Emmanuelle (Liam Aiken), for a new life in the countryside of Kenya. A cattle ranch in the Lakipani region of Kenya becomes the Gallmans' new home, far away from the creature comforts of their posh household in Italy. Kuki is beset with the daily challenges of life in Africa, including harsh weather, dangerous animals, and the absence of her husband, who spends days away hunting with his new friends. Forced to face many challenges alone, Kuki experiences a cultural awakening, inspired by an intense and emotional connection to the land, animals, and rhythm of Africa. Finding her new purpose in life, Kuki becomes an activist for endangered African animals, most notably elephants and rhinoceroses. Her resulting battles with those opposing her ideas provide the greatest conflicts in this inspiring and lyrical film that features an impassioned performance by Basinger. Director Hugh Hudson effectively captures the breathtaking beauty of both the African landscape and the animals that Kuki dedicated her life to help save.

Starring Kim Basinger, Vincent Perez, Daniel Craig
Director Hugh Hudson
Studio SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 50 mins
Certificate Certificate 12
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Dubbed German
Subtitles DVD: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Swedish, Turkish
Released DVD: 05 Feb 2001
Production year: 2000
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (5) of I Dreamed Of Africa

    View all
  • 2 stars out of 5

    Kim Basinger needed a hit after winning an Oscar for LA Confidential, not this major box-office dud. Although she valiantly holds her own as real-life African conservationist Kuki Gallmann, Hugh Hudson's direction sadly fails to support her efforts, never hammering home any political aspect beyond the stunning South African scenery. Basinger and husband Vincent Perez move from Italy to Kenya in the early seventies, but end up arguing about the amount of time he spends away from home on hunting expeditions. And when she's not furiously throwing pasta shapes at him, Kim's wrestling with their teenage son and the visits of her disapproving mother (Eve Marie Saint). Given contemporary African issues, the film doesn't ring true or do anything beyond skate over a familiar and all-too melodramatic surface.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • "...[Basinger] manages to be as vibrantly filled with beauty, tragedy and hope as the African continent which she struggles to make her home..." -- 4 out of 5 stars

    • Box Office
    • Posted 11 Mar 2005

  • Most helpful member's review of I Dreamed Of Africa

    View all
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    What went wrong?

    Reading the book 'I Dreamed of Africa' is an adventure. It is a trip through Kenya, but also through every single emotion a human body possesses. Kuki Gallman is gifted when it comes to describing the characters in her life in depth.

    That is exactly what is lacking in the movie: DEPTH. Was it the actors? No, I don't think so.

    Was it the Director? Yes, I do think so. To me it looked as though the Director was in a hurry to get all the scenes recorded as soon as possible, grabbing bits from every chapter of the book. There is no eye for the essence. The feeling behind all that happens in Kuki's life.

    I was disappointed and I wish I would have never seen the movie. I am wondering what Kuki Gallman thinks herself?

      • Christianne van Wijk from St. Davids, Wales
      • Posted 18 Dec 2003 17:09

  • Most recent members' review of I Dreamed Of Africa

    View all
  • 6 out of 6 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    What went wrong?

    Reading the book 'I Dreamed of Africa' is an adventure. It is a trip through Kenya, but also through every single emotion a human body possesses. Kuki Gallman is gifted when it comes to describing the characters in her life in depth.

    That is exactly what is lacking in the movie: DEPTH. Was it the actors? No, I don't think so.

    Was it the Director? Yes, I do think so. To me it looked as though the Director was in a hurry to get all the scenes recorded as soon as possible, grabbing bits from every chapter of the book. There is no eye for the essence. The feeling behind all that happens in Kuki's life.

    I was disappointed and I wish I would have never seen the movie. I am wondering what Kuki Gallman thinks herself?

      • Christianne van Wijk from St. Davids, Wales
      • Posted 18 Dec 2003 17:09

  • More like this

    View all
    Showing 1 to 4 of 20

    loading

Find cinemas


Rating breakdown

525 Member ratings
  • 100
42
  • 90
28
  • 80
74
  • 70
73
  • 60
100
  • 50
59
  • 40
63
  • 30
35
  • 20
32
  • 10
19

Related user collection

Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop

    • I Dreamed Of Africa

    • I Dreamed Of Africa
    • DVD: £5.43
      Free Delivery
    • RRP £19.79 (you save: 73%)
      • Based on the book of the same name, I DREAMED OF AFRICA is the true story of Kuki Gallman (Kim Basinger), a wealthy Italian socialite whose life changes abruptly after a near fatal car crash. Vowing ...