The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

After being rescued and brought to an island, a man discovers that its inhabitants are experimental animals being turned into strange-looking humans, all of it the work of a visionary doctor.

Directors:

John Frankenheimer, Richard Stanley (uncredited)

Writers:

H.G. Wells (novel), Richard Stanley (screenplay)

Stars:

David Thewlis, Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer

2 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Dr. Moreau
Val Kilmer	...	Montgomery
David Thewlis	...	Edward Douglas
Fairuza Balk	...	Aissa
Daniel Rigney	...	Hyena-Swine
Temuera Morrison	...	Azazello
Nelson de la Rosa	...	Majai
Peter Elliott	...	Assassimon
Mark Dacascos	...	Lo-Mai
Ron Perlman	...	Sayer of the Law
Marco Hofschneider	...	M'Ling
Miguel López	...	Waggdi
Neil Young	...	Boar Man
David Hudson	...	Bison Man
Clare Grant	...	Fox Lady

Storyline

Set in the year 2010, Dr. Moreau has successfully combined human and animal DNA to make a crossbreed animal. Well, as usual, something goes wrong and David Thewlis must try to stop it before it is too late. Originally rated R, but cut by Frankenheimer to allow "a wider audience".

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Plot Keywords:

mutant | animal experimentation | island | chimera | jungle | 

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Taglines:

The gates of hell are unlocked.

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, horror and gore involving mutant creatures

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Indonesian

Release Date:

23 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

La isla del Dr. Moreau

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,101,987, 25 August 1996, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$27,663,982, 3 November 1996

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$42,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 99 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Richard Stanley was very unhappy with how the film turned out, not only because of changes to his script, but because it deviated from the original novel.

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Goofs

After witnessing the birth (24 min into the movie), Aissa guides Douglas to the beach. As they run through the forest, the light coming through the trees casts long shadows for the characters, yet as they emerge onto the beach they have no shadows at all.

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Quotes

Dr. Moreau: I have seen the devil in my microscope, and I have chained him.

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Alternate Versions

The director's cut contains 4 extra minutes of footage including an expanded intro in the Java sea, a more gruesome end for 'The Father', and other small enhancements

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Connections

Referenced in Destination Truth: Ghosts of Menengai Crater/Kalanoro (2010)

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Soundtracks

3 Thoughts
Written and arranged by Blixa Bargeld, Mark Chung, F. M. Einheit, Alexander Hacke & N. U. Unruh (Copyright Freibank Music)
Performed by Einsturzende Neubauten

User Reviews

To go on two legs is very hard

I'm not sure if that is the exact quote from the movie, but I think altogether too many reviewers of this film go on four. I really enjoyed this move for its story, the acting and the way it conveyed its many messages. One guy even had the gall to describe it as a bad Jurassic Park. Now that was a bad movie. Great special effects for the time perhaps but a paper thin story that failed to explore its subject and the implications thereof. This movie makes no such mistake. It explores themes of what it means to be human, whether ends justify means, and what is moral or immoral from different perspectives. It even explores the nature of good and evil to some degree. There are far too few movies, especially these days, that have this kind of depth and leave you, ultimately, to be the judge. Yes, it is disturbing; its meant to be. Yes, it is dark; its meant to be. It makes you think and leaves and indelible impression. It certainly has its flaws but if you can see past them, then perhaps you go on two legs, even though its hard.