The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

After being rescued and brought to an island, a man discovers that it's inhabitants are experimental animals being turned into strange looking humans, all of it the work of a visionary doctor.

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers:

H.G. Wells (novel), Richard Stanley (screenplay),

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewlis

1 win & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Dr. Moreau
Val Kilmer	...	Montgomery
David Thewlis	...	Edward Douglas
Fairuza Balk	...	Aissa
Daniel Rigney	...	Hyena-Swine
Temuera Morrison	...	Azazello
Nelson de la Rosa	...	Majai
Peter Elliott	...	Assassimon
Mark Dacascos	...	Lo-Mai
Ron Perlman	...	Sayer of the Law
Marco Hofschneider	...	M'Ling
Miguel López	...	Waggdi
Neil Young	...	Boar Man
David Hudson	...	Bison Man
Clare Grant	...	Fox Lady

Storyline

Set in the year 2010, Dr. Moreau has successfully combined human and animal DNA to make a crossbreed animal. Well, as usual, something goes wrong and David Thewlis must try to stop it before it is too late. Originally rated R, but cut by Frankenheimer to allow "a wider audience".

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Plot Keywords:

island | experiment gone wrong | muu muu | goth | homosexual subtext | 

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Taglines:

On a remote ISLAND in the South Pacific, the balance OF nature has been upset by the experiments of DR. MOREAU... with the key of science he's unlocked the gates of hell.

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Genres:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, horror and gore involving mutant creatures

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Indonesian

Release Date:

23 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

La isla del Dr. Moreau

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

JPY 295,581,200 (Japan) (15 November 1996)

Gross:

JPY 338,920,000 (Japan) (22 November 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 99 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The ship's name was originally Ipencacuanha, in H.G. Wells's book. The filmmakers changed it to Ombak Penari. In Malay/Indonesian language, Ombak Penari translates directly as Wave Dancer (ombak means wave, penari means dancer). However, to make it grammatically accurate, the phrase should be Penari Ombak instead of the other way round.

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Goofs

When Edward Douglas is rescued from the life-raft the shadows in the life-raft seem to indicate a different time than would be indicated by the position of the sun behind the rescuing boat. In fact if, as is implied, he can see the rescuing boat, the sun is in two completely different positions in the sky.

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Quotes

Sayer of the Law: To go on two legs is very hard. Perhaps four is better, anyway.

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Connections

Referenced in VS3: Infantry of Doom (1999)

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Soundtracks

"Night Bird"
by Deep Forest

User Reviews

Sense of humor needed to watch this

This movie gets a bad rap -- viewers say Brando plain sucks and that it butchers a good Wells story. Perhaps the latter is true, but I consider Brando, as the mad doctor, a fine choice and, while he is rather subdued, he is still the candid, self-conscious actor we all know and love. He practically mumbles his lines as his mouth is lined with cotton and (probably) cheeseburgers. And, the scene where Brando plays piano along with his "pre Mini-Me" sidekick is a classic. Now, I know Brando refused to learn his lines for this movie and Kilmer is known for being a real ass to work with, but the in-production feuds add to the aura of this film. These characters aren't supposed to like each other and the tension fills the air. The special effects are top notch, albeit gruesome and a bit overdone. It all adds to the feel of the movie. I have this movie on tape and watch it again and again, alongside "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," "Taxi Driver," "Rear Window" and "Dr. Strangelove." If you thought you shouldn't see this based on other user's comments, put your expectations aside and just enjoy!