The Fly (1986)

A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong.

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writers:

George Langelaan (short story), Charles Edward Pogue (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis, John Getz

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jeff Goldblum	...	Seth Brundle
Geena Davis	...	Veronica Quaife
John Getz	...	Stathis Borans
Joy Boushel	...	Tawny
Leslie Carlson	...	Dr. Cheevers (as Les Carlson)
George Chuvalo	...	Marky
Michael Copeman	...	2nd Man in Bar
David Cronenberg	...	Gynecologist
Carol Lazare	...	Nurse
Shawn Hewitt	...	Clerk

Storyline

Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum), a brilliant but eccentric scientist attempts to woo investigative journalist Veronica Quaife (Geena Davis) by offering her a scoop on his latest research in the field of matter transportation, which against all the expectations of the scientific establishment have proved successful. Up to a point. Brundle thinks he has ironed out the last problem when he successfully transports a living creature, but when he attempts to teleport himself a fly enters one of the transmission booths, and Brundle finds he is a changed man. This Science-Gone-Mad film is the source of the quotable quote "Be afraid. Be very afraid."

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Plot Keywords:

teleportation | woman takes off stocking | body horror | genetic alteration | metamorphosis | 

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Taglines:

Half man. Half insect. Total terror.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mel Gibson was considered for the role of Seth Brundle. But he turned it down to do Lethal Weapon (1987).

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Goofs

When Brundlefly dissolves Stathis's hand, a considerable amount of vomit falls on his chest, but there is no sign of any damage unlike his hand and his foot.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Seth Brundle: What am I working on? Uhh... I'm working on something that will change the world, and human life as we know it.

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Crazy Credits

Jim Smash Issac Sir Guy of Hudson

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Alternate Versions

A lenghty shot of Brundle using a fly tongue to suck from Stathis Borans's severed foot was filmed but deleted from the final cut.

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Connections

Referenced in There's Something About Movies: Episode #2.3 (2019)

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Soundtracks

Help Me
Performed by Bryan Ferry
Written by Nile Rodgers, Bryan Ferry
Nile Rodgers and Bryan Ferry appear through the courtesy by Warner Bro. Records

User Reviews

Successful transition of Cronenberg's brand of 'body horror' to the mainstream...

Why is it this film that will always be his REAL 'breakout', and not any of the others before or since? The truth is, beneath all the biological yucks and makeup (there is plenty of both) lies a strong emotional core. Goldblum is enthusiastically likable as scientist Seth Brundle, and Geena Davis is just how Geena Davis seems to be in real life... sweet. It is how the events change both characters EMOTIONALLY, not physically, that inspires the true horror.

The blending of both the above elements makes this remake appeal simultaneously to the 'gross out' crowd, and those in the mood for a more cerebral horror experience. A concept of B-movie stature, electrified by the skills of A-list talent.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA UK Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Fly

Filming Locations:

135 Liberty Steet, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,007,423, 17 August 1986

Gross USA:

$40,456,565

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$60,629,159

Company Credits

Production Co:

SLM Production Group, Brooksfilms

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1