D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writers:

David Ambrose (writer) &
Allan Scott (writer) ...

Release Date:

14 June 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Becoming human was not part of the plan. Now they want to terminate him.

Plot:

A young boy is found wandering without any memory of who he is. A family takes him in and begin to look for clues to help him find his way home...

Plot Keywords:

Boy | Sound Barrier | Robot As Pathos | Robot | Suicide

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Mary Beth Hurt	...	Joyce Richardson
Michael McKean	...	Andy Richardson
Kathryn Walker	...	Dr. Ellen Lamb
Colleen Camp	...	Elaine Fox
Josef Sommer	...	Dr. Jeffrey Stewart
Ron Frazier	...	General Graycliffe
Steve Ryan	...	Howie Fox
David Wohl	...	Mr. Nesbitt
Danny Corkill	...	Turtle Fox
Amy Linker	...	Sherie Lee Fox
Barret Oliver	...	Daryl
Ed Grady	...	Mr. Bergen (as Ed L. Grady)
Tucker McGuire	...	Mrs. Bergen
Richard Hammatt	...	Dr. Mulligan
Charlie Gudger	...	Basketball Kid #1

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:G (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Finland:K-10 | Netherlands:16 | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG | West Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Alpes-Maritimes, France

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

The scenes with all of the computers at the military base were filmed in the backstage computer rooms at Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: During Daryl and the doctor's car chase, they're supposed to be somewhere in Northern Virginia. However, they're clearly in Orlando, Florida. In one shot, a billboard for RonJon's Surf Shop is clearly visible. In another shot, on the freeway, you can read the exit sign for Orange Blossom Trail. This is on the East West Expressway.

Quotes:

General Graycliffe: A child with a stick of chewing gum has just rendered your hundred million dollars of hardware useless.

Movie Connections:

Features Forbidden Planet (1956)

Soundtrack:

SOMEWHERE I BELONG

Under rated 80s classic children's film

I cant help feeling that Daryl could well have been a young Jason Bourne. Synopsis: A military experiment lab loses its super enhanced human subject to the outside world who is now suffering from amnesia while the military hunts him down. Sounds familiar? Daryl got there first but thinking about it, there is no reason why the Bourne trilogy cannot be seen as unofficial sequels to Daryl. But enough of that. I remember loving this film when I first saw it 20 years ago so when I watched it again I expected to find it dated and perhaps much of the magic gone. The opposite happened. I was spellbound. It is somewhat dated but that simply adds to the charm as the 80s was the epitome of childhood innocence, wonder and mischief before the internet age came along. What elevates this film above most children's films is the abundance of heart, soul and values of friendship. All the actors play their part with natural aplomb and it has to be said that Barrat who plays the boy robot with human emotions, was played to perfection. Mckean plays the foster father delightfully (although has a frightening resemblance to ex UK Prime Minister Tony Blair). The film is sprinkled with humour throughout particularly with Turtle teaching Daryl how to behave and how to deal with adults! There is no action in the first three quarters of the movie (apart from a brief car chase at the start). Instead we are invested in the characters and relationships so that we truly care about them by the time the thrilling final act kicks into gear. And boy, is the last act so exciting, with perhaps the best car chase I have seen in any children's film and a climactic action finale that I can only conclude Die Hard 2 stole from! Daryl is an under rated 80s classic.