The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)

A shipwrecked survivor discovers a remote island with a mad scientist.

Director:

Don Taylor

Writers:

H.G. Wells (novel), Al Ramrus (screenplay),

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Michael York, Nigel Davenport

6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster	...	Dr. Paul Moreau
Michael York	...	Andrew Braddock
Nigel Davenport	...	Montgomery
Barbara Carrera	...	Maria
Richard Basehart	...	Sayer of the Law
Nick Cravat	...	M'Ling
The Great John L.	...	Boarman
Bob Ozman	...	Bullman
Fumio Demura	...	Hyena Man
Gary Baxley	...	Lionman
John Gillespie	...	Tigerman
David S. Cass Sr.	...	Bearman (as David Cass)

Storyline

A ship-wrecked man floats ashore on an island in the Pacific Ocean. The island is inhabited by a scientist, Dr. Moreau, who in an experiment has turned beasts into human beings.

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Plot Keywords:

island | pacific | scientist | shipwrecked | experiment | 

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Taglines:

The Doctor Is In-SANE!

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Studios [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 July 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Ilha do Dr. Moreau

Filming Locations:

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP), Cinema 77, Major Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nigel Davenport replaced Ian Bannen.

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Goofs

After the scene of the beast-men killing Moreau, while Sayer of the Law holds up his blood-stained hands in front of his face, one of them can be seen without the make-up and in the form of a natural human hand, rather incongruent with the other animal-like hand.

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Quotes

Dr. Paul Moreau: If one is to study nature, one must become as remorseless as nature. You should know that!
Montgomery: Who's next? Me?

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Connections

Version of The Twilight People (1972)

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Soundtracks

"Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja"
(Papageno's Aria from "Die Zauberflöte" K.620)
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

User Reviews

Surprisingly well done

I recently saw this version of The Island of Dr. Moreau for the first time courtesy of MGM Midnite Movies.

It was much better than I thought it would be. Of course that was mainly due to the fact that I had already seen the abomination made in 1996 starring Brando and Kilmer. After seeing that mess I had pretty low expectations for this one. I was pleasantly surprised by the acting, yes even Michael York's, as well as the make-up.

Barbara Carrera was beautiful as always even though her character seemed to be more window dressing then integral to the plot. I'm not complaining mind you, she makes lovely window dressing.

Lancaster did an excellent job as Moreau. His subdued, scientific detachment fit the part perfectly and it was interesting as he started going over the edge towards the end of the movie.

York managed a very good scene when he, as he was changing into an animal, managed to remember things from his childhood as he desperately tried to keep his identity and humanity.

Not the best movie that I've seen but it's in the top 10% or so. After watching this version it makes me even more appalled at the 1996 disaster. It's too bad that a lot of people now have an idea of what Island of Dr. Moreau based on that version instead of on this one.

I'd give it an 8 out of 10.