The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)

A shipwrecked survivor discovers a remote island owned by a crazed scientist who is carrying out sinister experiments on the island's inhabitants.

Director:

Don Taylor

Writers:

H.G. Wells (novel), Al Ramrus (screenplay)

Stars:

Burt Lancaster, Michael York, Nigel Davenport

6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burt Lancaster	...	Dr. Paul Moreau
Michael York	...	Andrew Braddock
Nigel Davenport	...	Montgomery
Barbara Carrera	...	Maria
Richard Basehart	...	Sayer of the Law
Nick Cravat	...	M'Ling
The Great John L.	...	Boarman
Bob Ozman	...	Bullman
Fumio Demura	...	Hyena Man
Gary Baxley	...	Lionman
John Gillespie	...	Tigerman
David S. Cass Sr.	...	Bearman (as David Cass)

Storyline

A ship-wrecked man floats ashore on an island in the Pacific Ocean. The island is inhabited by a scientist, Dr. Moreau, who in an experiment has turned beasts into human beings.

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Plot Keywords:

anthropomorphic animal | human becoming an animal | vivisection | island | shipwrecked | 

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Taglines:

A tropical paradise, untouched by man... where a bizarre civilization exists.

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Genres:

Adventure | Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second English-language adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau". The first was "Island of Lost Souls (1932)," and the third was "The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)."

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Goofs

When they're on the boat at the end, Maria calls Andrew "Michael" when the creature attacks him.

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Quotes

Andrew Braddock: [to Moreau] What in the name of God are you doing?
Montgomery: Don't worry, Braddock. You'll get over it - just like I did!

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Connections

Remade as The All-New Super Friends Hour: Man-Beasts of XRA/Prejudice/Tiny World of Terror/Tibetan Raiders (1977)

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Soundtracks

Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja
(Papageno's Aria from "Die Zauberflöte" K.620)
Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

User Reviews

I, manimal

There's three principal reasons why this HG Wells' inspired horror adventure works, firstly the distinguished cast led by A-graders Michael York (as the shipwrecked engineer) and Burt Lancaster, as the reclusive title character whose gene experiments on the local animal population is resulting in terrible mutations trapped amid instincts that lay somewhere between man and animal, a precariously distorted eco-system.

Nigel Davenport plays the boozy mercenary protecting the island establishment from its own macabre experiments, while Richard Basehart is a transformed animal, human enough to be the law sayer and peace-keeper of the mutated island population. Then there's the ravishing Barbara Carrera as a naive orphan brought to the island as a child by Moreau, besotted by the chivalrous York, but equally mysterious like her young lynx companion. Nick Cravat and Dave Cass have minor supporting roles as manimals of various pedigree.

The second reason to tune in is the set design and make-up effects in which luminaries John Chambers and Dan Striepeke were involved. Moreau's half-breed experiments are impressively brought to life by Chambers' crew, the full effect more evident on close-up, particularly on the unrecognisable Basehart.

Finally, if it needs to be defended, the production of Samuel Z.Arkoff and Sandy Howard should please some, their AIP distribution lending a certain B-movie prestige, a badge that will in itself, attract a legion of fans (but equally, render others suspicious of the quality). Overall, while there were a plethora of plot-holes to be found, and the conclusion a little simplistic, the general tone and quality of the film remained highly entertaining, uncomplicated and straightforward, something the 1996 remake couldn't muster in spite of its (by relative standards) gold plated production.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM Studios [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 July 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Island of Dr. Moreau

Filming Locations:

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP), Cinema 77, Major Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1