Iguana (1988)

A grotesquely disfigured harpooner called Iguana is severely mistreated by his fellow sailors on a whaling ship in the 19th century. One night he escapes and takes up residence on a remote ... See full summary »

Director:

Monte Hellman

Writers:

Steven Gaydos, Monte Hellman,

Stars:

Everett McGill, Michael Bradford, Roger Kendall

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Everett McGill	...	Oberlus
Michael Bradford	...	White-Bearded Sailor
Roger Kendall	...	Roger
Robert Case	...	One Eyed Sailor
Fabio Testi	...	Gamboa
Jack Taylor	...	Captain 'Old Lady II'
Maru Valdivielso	...	Carmen (as Maru Valdivieso)
Pierangelo Pozzato	...	Rodrigo
Alessandro Tasca	...	Priest at Funeral
Fernando Cebrián	...	Ibarra
Charly Husey	...	Zombie
Michael Madsen	...	Sebastián
Guillermo Antón	...	Alberto
Ricardo Navarrete	...	Priest at Church
Amaya Merino	...	Girl Who Sings

Storyline

A grotesquely disfigured harpooner called Iguana is severely mistreated by his fellow sailors on a whaling ship in the 19th century. One night he escapes and takes up residence on a remote island. He makes himself ruler of the island and declares war on mankind. Anyone unfortunate enough to wind up on the island with Iguana is subjected to his cruel tyranny.

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Plot Keywords:

harpooner | 19th century | disfigurement | based on novel | independent film

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Genres:

Adventure

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Details

Country:

Italy Spain Switzerland USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 February 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

Iguana - A Fera do Mar

Filming Locations:

Canary Islands, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arco Films, Iguana Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min 97 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Telecolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Way Faring Stranger"
By Franco Campanino
Performed by Joni Mitchell
Courtesy of AM Edicioni Musicali

User Reviews

Another disappointment

I'd read a lot about this film and was excited to view it. While not a complete turkey this one may not be worth your time or effort. The script seems hurried and incomplete and requires a incredible amount of willing suspension of disbelief. Could not understand how this average sized man with one machete and an old flintlock pistol could maintain control over several hearty sea dogs. Adding to this mystery is why they readily submit to his authority without much attempt to gain the upper hand. Also one wonders how this group continue to survive on a rather smallish island that looks pretty desolate-lots of rocks and cliffs and shore but not much vegetation and no animal life-other than fish. In retrospect the whole thing seems pretty laughable. The Iquana makeup effect looks like a B-movie rubber appliance and the much touted beheading scene was done with a coconut on a dummy's shoulders. Listen for the Three Stooges "ka-thunk" sound effect when the head hits the ground. Really bad stuff here. I give it 3 stars for the cinematography as there are some beautiful oceanic scenes found here. If you're curious about this film then at least you have some idea of what you're in for.