Rhinoceros (1974)

A boozing young man in love with his co-worker finds that everyone around him, even his pompous and condescending best friend, is changing into a rhinoceros.

Director:

Tom O'Horgan

Writers:

Eugène Ionesco (play) (as Eugene Ionesco), Julian Barry (screenplay)

Stars:

Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder, Karen Black

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Zero Mostel	...	John
Gene Wilder	...	Stanley
Karen Black	...	Daisy
Joe Silver	...	Norman
Robert Weil	...	Carl
Marilyn Chris	...	Mrs. Bingham
Percy Rodrigues	...	Mr. Nicholson
Robert Fields	...	Young Man
Melody Santangello	...	Young Woman (as Melody Santangelo)
Don Calfa	...	Waiter
Lou Cutell	...	Cashier
Howard Morton	...	Doctor
Manuel Aviles	...	Busboy
Anne Ramsey	...	Lady with Cat
Lorna Thayer	...	Restaurant Owner

Storyline

Originally an absurdist play by Eugene Ionesco, Rhinoceros tells the story of a French town plagued by rhinoceroses. These are not ordinary rhinoceroses, but people who have been victims of "rhinoceritis." Or is it something else entirely? But, why are they turning into rhinoceroses and what is Ionesco trying to tell us about society?

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Plot Keywords:

employer | chicken meat | coworker | killing an animal | transformation | 

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Taglines:

The comedy that proves people are still the funniest animals.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 January 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Ely Landau Organization Inc., Cinévision Ltée, The American Film Theatre

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was first announced in 1967 with Ealing great Alexander Mackendrick set to direct. Peter Sellers and Peter Ustinov were to star, and John Calley was the producer. Unfortunately, the movie did not go ahead. This was one of many Mackendrick projects which failed to materialize.

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Quotes

Stanley: Rhinoceros!

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Connections

Version of Næsehornet (1972)

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Soundtracks

What Did You Do To Yourself
Music by Galt MacDermot
Lyrics by Bill Dumaresq
Sung by David Lasley

User Reviews

A great lost movie! Zero Mostel gives an INCREDIBLE performance!

I have not seen this movie since the mid 70's but back then I watched it at least 20 times when it was shown on cable. Now it appears it is virtually lost, as they were unable to find a print of it for the Ionesco festival in New York this past year. If you are able to catch it on tv, do not miss it. A truly strange and unusual film, involves Gene Wilder as a man who seems all alone in the world as everyone else has started to catch a strange flu, which starts with bumps on there foreheads and then eventually turns them into raving lunatics, and finally into a Rhinocerous. Zero Mostel turns in a great performance as Wilder's friend, who goes beserk inside a building and literaly tears it apart in a rampage. The film goes on to explore whether or not Wilder is the sane one, or the odd man out, as he is the only one who has not conformed. He meets Daisy (Karen Black) who has not yet turned. They do everything they can to keep themselves from turning into what they fear, and the film really turns from comedy into psychological horror at this point. Some strange imagery, and perhaps Gene Wilders only nude scene on film, happen all before the climax. Truly a unique gem from the minds of people who defined the 60's! Tom O'Horgan directed Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway, and was involved with experimental projects with Robert Downey Sr. So you can imagine this is something of a rare find! Good luck on tracking it down!