The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

User Rating:

4.0/10   

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

23 August 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Island | Control | Slavery | Shot To Death | Goth

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

David Thewlis	...	Edward Douglas
Fairuza Balk	...	Aissa
Ron Perlman	...	Sayer of the Law
Marlon Brando	...	Dr. Moreau
Val Kilmer	...	Montgomery
Marco Hofschneider	...	M'Ling
Temuera Morrison	...	Azazello
William Hootkins	...	Kiril
Daniel Rigney	...	Hyena-Swine
Nelson de la Rosa	...	Majai
Peter Elliott	...	Assassimon
Mark Dacascos	...	Lo-Mai
Miguel López	...	Waggdi
Neil Young	...	Boar Man
David Hudson	...	Bison Man

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

96 min | USA:99 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Indonesian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Iceland:16 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34098) | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Brazil:12 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 (w) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | UK:12 | USA:Unrated (director's cut)

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer vacationed together in Ireland just before production started.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Edward Douglas is rescued from the life-raft the shadows in the life-raft seem to indicate a different time than would be indicated by the position of the sun behind the rescuing boat. In fact if, as is implied, he can see the rescuing boat, the sun is in two completely different positions in the sky.

Quotes:

Dr. Moreau: [Aissa walks behind Dr.Moreau and massages his shoulders] Ah God yes, oh yes God, oh please, forcefully, forcefully
[Aissa puts more force into it and causes pain on Dr.Moreau]
Dr. Moreau: Oh... oh no, oh my God
[Dr.Moreau clears his throat, coughs and removes Aissa's hands from his shoulders]
Dr. Moreau: Not so strong, you have no idea how strong you can be. You must be very, very careful.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "South Park: An Elephant Makes Love to a Pig (#1.5)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

Night Bird

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.