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:

Unwittingly He Trained a Dolphin to Kill the President of the United States

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Genres:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 1974 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

El día del delfín

Filming Locations:

Abaco Island, Bahamas

Box Office

Budget:

$8,500,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$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

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Mirisch Company announced this as a Franklin J Schaffner movie in May 1970.

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Goofs

[All goofs for this title are spoilers.]

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Quotes

Dr. Jake Terrell: They'll kill 'em.
Curtis Mahoney: Hmm?
Dr. Jake Terrell: They'll kill 'em, won't they?
Curtis Mahoney: Yes, of course they will.
Margaret 'Maggie' Terrell: Why?
Curtis Mahoney: They killed a man. Do you think they're going to get sentimental about a dolphin?
Margaret 'Maggie' Terrell: But, Jake, why? What - What would be the point of killing *them*?
Dr. Jake Terrell: Alpha can talk. We taught 'im, remember? He's a witness.

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Connections

Referenced in The Six Degrees of Helter Skelter (2009)

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Soundtracks

Finding The Flag
Written and Performed by Georges Delerue Et Son Orchestre

User Reviews

Worthy Film, Worthy Message

George C. Scott stars as a marine biologist who has taught two dolphins to communicate with humans in english. His project attracts the notice of a shadowy corporate sponsor, who then kidnaps the dolphins to perform an assassination-at-sea. The film is divided in two parts, both exploring the ethics of man's meddling with nature. Stunning photography, excellent supporting cast, superlative effort from Scott, whose deep personal investment in the film's subject is easily sensed.

I saw this film in the theater in 1973 and thought it was one of the best I'd ever seen. I wasn't expecting a period action film or a potboiler-thriller and was pleasantly surprised to get neither. This is a thinking person's film, a modern-day Frankenstein which is made even more tragic because of the creator's love for what he has created. The conclusion of this film is uncompromising, and calls into question all animal experimentation. One of the best, and most important films to come out in my lifetime. See it.