D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)

A seemingly normal young boy turns out to be a top secret, military-created robot with superhuman abilities.

Director:

Simon Wincer

Writers:

David Ambrose, Allan Scott

Stars:

Mary Beth Hurt, Michael McKean, Kathryn Walker

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mary Beth Hurt	...	Joyce Richardson
Michael McKean	...	Andy Richardson
Kathryn Walker	...	Dr. Ellen Lamb
Colleen Camp	...	Elaine Fox
Josef Sommer	...	Dr. Jeffrey Stewart
Ron Frazier	...	General Graycliffe
Steve Ryan	...	Howie Fox
David Wohl	...	Mr. Nesbitt
Danny Corkill	...	Turtle Fox
Amy Linker	...	Sherie Lee Fox
Barret Oliver	...	Daryl
Ed Grady	...	Mr. Bergen (as Ed L. Grady)
Tucker McGuire	...	Mrs. Bergen
Richard Hammatt	...	Dr. Mulligan
Charlie Gudger	...	Basketball Kid #1

Storyline

A young boy is found wandering without any memory of who he is. A family takes him in and begin to look for clues to help him find his way home. In the meantime, they notice that the boy seems to have certain special abilities, not usually found in kids his age, or even fully-grown adults.

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Plot Keywords:

robot | artificial intelligence | boy robot | acronym in title | entire title is capitalized acronym | 

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Taglines:

The Government created him. Now, they want to destroy him.

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Genres:

Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Movie Channel [UK]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 June 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

D.A.R.Y.L. - A múlt nélküli fiú

Filming Locations:

4400 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,649,832, 16 June 1985

Gross USA:

$7,840,873

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, World Film Services

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (TVC)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In response to whether acting is work or fun, Barret Oliver states in a 1985 "Star Log" interview: "I think it's fun, but it really is a job. In D.A.R.Y.L. (1985) there was a part where I had to freeze to death and they didn't even use it. It can get kind of frustrating.

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Goofs

It was impossible to start the SR-71, or, even fly the airplane, while operating alone. The SR-71 required maintenance personnel to operate a pair of Buick V-8 engines in order to run one engine at a time up to speed prior to ignition. Further, the SR-71 required a Reconnaissance Systems Operator, flying in the back seat, to run the navigation systems required to guide the aircraft.

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Quotes

Dr. Ellen Lamb: General, a machine becomes human when you can't tell the difference anymore.

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Connections

Referenced in Psychos in Love (1987)

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Soundtracks

Isn't It Romantic
by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart

User Reviews

Under rated 80s classic children's film

I cant help feeling that Daryl could well have been a young Jason Bourne. Synopsis: A military experiment lab loses its super enhanced human subject to the outside world who is now suffering from amnesia while the military hunts him down. Sounds familiar? Daryl got there first but thinking about it, there is no reason why the Bourne trilogy cannot be seen as unofficial sequels to Daryl. But enough of that. I remember loving this film when I first saw it 20 years ago so when I watched it again I expected to find it dated and perhaps much of the magic gone. The opposite happened. I was spellbound. It is somewhat dated but that simply adds to the charm as the 80s was the epitome of childhood innocence, wonder and mischief before the internet age came along. What elevates this film above most children's films is the abundance of heart, soul and values of friendship. All the actors play their part with natural aplomb and it has to be said that Barrat who plays the boy robot with human emotions, was played to perfection. Mckean plays the foster father delightfully (although has a frightening resemblance to ex UK Prime Minister Tony Blair). The film is sprinkled with humour throughout particularly with Turtle teaching Daryl how to behave and how to deal with adults! There is no action in the first three quarters of the movie (apart from a brief car chase at the start). Instead we are invested in the characters and relationships so that we truly care about them by the time the thrilling final act kicks into gear. And boy, is the last act so exciting, with perhaps the best car chase I have seen in any children's film and a climactic action finale that I can only conclude Die Hard 2 stole from! Daryl is an under rated 80s classic.