IMDb > "Fantasy Island" (1978)

"Fantasy Island" (1978) More at IMDbPro »TV series 1978-1984

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Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   632 votes
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Down 7% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Creator:
Contact:
View company contact information for Fantasy Island on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | unknown full episode list
Release Date:
28 January 1978 (USA) more
Plot:
Tales of visitors to a unique resort island that can fulfill literally any fantasy requested. full summary
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 9 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(57 articles)
Arnold Laven obituary
 (From The Guardian - Film News. 25 November 2009, 10:42 AM, PST)

Arnold Laven obituary
 (From The Guardian - TV News. 25 November 2009, 10:42 AM, PST)

User Comments:
When "Fantasy" meets reality.......... more (15 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 2 of 314)

Ricardo Montalban ... Mr. Roarke (93 episodes, 1978-1984)

Hervé Villechaize ... Tattoo (53 episodes, 1978-1983)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
60 min (157 episodes)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The waterfall seen during the opening sequences is the real-life Wailua Falls in Kauai, Hawaii. more
Quotes:
Mr. Roarke: My dear guests! I am Mr. Roarke, your host. Welcome... to Fantasy Island! more
Movie Connections:

FAQ

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5 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
When "Fantasy" meets reality.........., 22 July 2003
Author: Poseidon-3 from Cincinnati, OH

The bloom has worn off this fondly remembered series of which the memories do not match up to the reality seen during reruns. When the show first aired, it seemed like a lush, star-laden piece of wonderment and entertainment. With its tropical setting, unique lead characters, eventful and varied stories and the parade of name actors each week, it was a hit that lingered in the memory for decades. However, now, after so much has changed in television, the series often looks cheap, seems trite and inane and, worst of all, comes off as pretty dull! Montalban (the essence of class, dignity and charisma) was forced each week to react to the unintelligible, unfunny ramblings of Villechaize (a freakish persona who looks like the dwarfed love child of Freddie Fender and Charo.) These forced, ludicrous scenarios (shown just before the guest stars' names appear) are downright painful to watch (and even more painful to listen to with Villechaize seemingly deliberately placing emphasis on all the wrong words and syllables in his dialogue.) Then the "stars" arrive and it is criminally clear that all of the shots of the leads were done separately at different times. The primary characters never even met during the legendary opening arrival scenes! (Even worse, the SAME shot of the SAME dancer and musicians is shown over and over and OVER week after week!) Even though it is always fun to catch a glimpse of once-famous or almost famous celebrities in their waning years (or also to spot up and comers who often don't even get billing in these episodes), the storylines are, for the most part, beyond lame and hugely predictable. Additionally, the cheap-jack production values (aside from the location filming that was used again and again and AGAIN) spoil a lot of the effect of the guest appearances. Many times the celebs are lit with worse lighting than Donna Reed complained about when she was given the shaft on "Dallas". The show is worth checking out if one is a completist for seeing a favorite guest actor or if almost nothing else worthwhile is on, but unfortunately the show simply doesn't hold up today. Still, even this beats the wrong-headed, flop, 1998 remake version that starred Malcolm McDowell. Oh well, at least the customized red and white station wagons were fun.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Fantasy Island" (1978)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Remembering... fantasyislander65
Where is the Main House of the island? adrian_arenah@ciudad.com.ar
Was there an 'Exorcist' episode? roximunro
Favorite Guest Star! kenolting
Did 'The Magus' Inspire Fantasy Island? artmcgee
Ghosts in Ballroom - Was this Fantasy Island Episode? Fleur_de_lis
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