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 & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Dr. Moreau
Val Kilmer	...	Montgomery
David Thewlis	...	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 (as Miguel Lopez)
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:

Through DNA experimentation Dr. Moreau has upset the balance of nature. By turning animals into humans, he's turned heaven into hell.

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Fairuza Balk wore a wig in the film.

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Goofs

When first arriving at the gate to the compound in the jeep (12 minutes into the movie) a windmill is shown turning. As they enter, the view from inside the jeep shows it turning about half the speed, and the next shot goes back to full speed.

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Quotes

Hyena-Swine: Five-man... please... tell them... that I am God. Hmm?
[Hyena-Swine presses a button on Moreau's remote, causing many Beast People to collapse in pain]
Edward Douglas: You're right. You are... a god.
Sayer of the Law: No!
Hyena-Swine: Again.
Edward Douglas: You are a god. You're all gods.
Hyena-Swine: Tell them to obey me like they did the Father.
Edward Douglas: You all killed the Father. You all ate his flesh. So who is the new Father? Who is God Number One? Who should they obey? Him? Or him?
[indicating other members of Hyena-Swine's pack]
Edward Douglas: You see, there must be a God Number One.
[...]

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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 In the Belly of the Beast (2001)

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Soundtracks

Brandenburg Concerto #2 in F Major, Movement #2
Written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Courtesy of Associated Production Music

User Reviews

Island of Dr. Moreau added to Doctor Rock's Essential Viewing List

This movie, by definition, must be added to the Essential Viewing list if only to see Marlon Brando in what must be one of his last roles before the actual logistics of transporting him became an insurmountable problem for production. This combined with Val Kilmer as the drug dispensing Montgomery and being filmed in Australia, in addition to the amazing afro/counter rhythm strong sound track demands it a place in the realm of essential viewing. I feel confident that H.G. Wells would approve of the rewrite of his material too, in concept at least. Notable studies in concepts of ethics and mixed moralities.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Indonesian

Release Date:

23 August 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Island of Dr. Moreau

Filming Locations:

Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,101,987, 25 August 1996

Gross USA:

$27,663,982

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$49,627,779

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