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

The various actors who played the man-beasts had to report to make-up at three o'clock in the morning in order to be ready for their scenes.

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Goofs

During the opening scene when the boat is being pushed ashore you can see the shadow of the boom mic in the water's edge.

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Quotes

Andrew Braddock: [to Moreau] What in the name of God are you doing?
Montgomery: Don't worry, Braddock. You'll get over it - just like I did!

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Connections

Version of The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

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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

Amazingly authentic feel

I watched this movie by accident, due to a last-minute program change by the TV station. I had missed the first couple of minutes including the title, so I was just as unprepared as the shipwrecked Andrew (Michael York) when he set foot on this beautiful tropical island. To his horror, he finds out that an aging scientist, presumed long dead by the world, has populated the island with his "children," the results of his experiments in combining human and animal genes. What I found most astonishing was the authentic feel to the characters. Starting with Andrew. His initial repulsion develops into a discerning appreciation, without ever condoning the monstrosity of Dr. Moreau's project. The old scientist himself (Burt Lancaster, a rather shallow performance in comparison) is not an evil lunatic but a genius who got carried away, convinced to the end of his own noble goals and best intentions. However, the most amazing aspect is the differentiated portrayal of Moreau's more or less "successful" creatures. The movie manages to make your heart go out for them in their struggle to be human against their nature. The most poignant moment is the Lionman's farewell cry for his Master. An overall very satisfying movie, despite some weaknesses in the development of the plot towards the end (it feels like the director suddenly ran out of time). Quality science-fiction with good entertainment value. 7/10