The Day of the Dolphin (1973)

A marine biologist teaches his dolphins to communicate in English but shady characters plan to kidnap the trained mammals for a more sinister purpose.

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Buck Henry (screenplay), Robert Merle (novel)

Stars:

George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Paul Sorvino

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
George C. Scott	...	Jake Terrell
Trish Van Devere	...	Maggie Terrell
Paul Sorvino	...	Curtis Mahoney
John Dehner	...	Wallingford
Severn Darden	...	Schwinn
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Mrs. Rome
William Roerick	...	Dunhill
Phyllis Davis	...	Receptionist
Pat Zurica	...	First Mate
Jon Korkes	...	David
Edward Herrmann	...	Mike
Leslie Charleson	...	Maryanne
Victoria Racimo	...	Lana
John David Carson	...	Larry
Willie Myers	...	Stone (as Willie Meyers)

Storyline

Dr Jake Terrell, who has been training a pair of dolphins for many years, has had a breakthrough. He has taught his dolphins to speak and understand English, although they do have a limited vocabulary. When the dolphins are stolen, he discovers they're to be used in an assassination attempt. Now he is in a race to discover who is the target, and where the dolphins are, before the attempt is carried out.

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Plot Keywords:

dolphin | assassination | bittersweet | compassion | yacht | 

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Taglines:

The most amazing outdoor adventure ever filmed!

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Roman Polanski was set to direct The Day of the Dolphin, Jack Nicholson was to star in the film.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Alpha: Fa!
Dr. Jake Terrell: Well Fa... you've had quite a day, haven't you?

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Connections

Referenced in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

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Soundtracks

End Title
Written and Performed by Georges Delerue Et Son Orchestre

User Reviews

" If word get's out before I can explain my work, it will turn into a freak show "

Throughout the motion picture business there is many a thespian who truly believes in their role. Some more than others and is why a few become exceptional. The original script called " The Day of The Dolphin " was delivered to several actors, prior to the film's inception. When the principal actor read the interesting dialog between himself and his subject called Alpha, he was not only intrigued, but anxious to begin. The story centers around a Research Scientist named Dr. Jake Terrell (George C. Scott) and his wife Maggie. (Trish Van Devere) Their secret island project concerns a special Dolphin, whom they have raised since birth. In an amazing feat of Phonetic science, laboring on the cutting edge and years of patience instruction, they have taught their unique Dolphin to speak English. However, their financial benefactors are not men with lofty ideals like Dr. Terrell or his staff. Indeed their primary goal is to use the amazing oceanic mammal to swim underwater undetected to a secured location where the President of the U.S. is vacationing and eliminate the Chief Executive. Although it's Harold DeMilo (Fritz Weaver) the C.E.O. of the funding institute who plans on subverting Dr. Terrell's innovative project, it's a strange, mysterious and uninvited visitor, Curtis Mahoney (Paul Sorvino) whom they suspect is behind the theft of their special Dolphin and a midnight murder. Trust is not inherent between the characters, indeed the audience is in for a surprise or two. However it's this very element which gives the film it's dramatic texture. The cast is incredible and delivers a dynamite performance which as a result allows this film to become a Classic. Excellent movie. ****

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 March 1974 (France)

Also Known As:

The Day of the Dolphin

Filming Locations:

Abaco Island, Bahamas

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,300,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,300,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

AVCO Embassy Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1