Customer Reviews

Doctor Dolittle [VHS]

5 star:		(56)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

What were you thinking? I'll admit the 1998 remake was entertaining, the way "Wings" is at one o'clock in the morning when nothing else is on, but, like "The Nutty Professor" Murphy's kid-friendly remake looks like a crime against cinema when placed next to its source material. First off, this is a musical with a beautiful score by Leslie Bricusse (who wrote the songs for "Willy Wonka" and "Stop the World, I Want To Get Off" with longtime partner Anthony Newley, who stars in this film). Also, Rex Harrison WORKED to learn to talk to animals. It wasn't a magical power he was born with, the man studied! He doesn't need cheesy (if well-cast) celebrity voiceovers and computer-generated mouth-movement to convince us, either. So if you want your kids to settle for second best and, as a result, drag you to mediocre kiddy-fair after mediocre kiddy-fair (which, in the age of "The Cat in the Hat" is pretty bad) let 'em have Eddie Murphy. But if you want your kids to have taste and appreciate a quality piece of filmmaking, rent this film immediately. Even if you have no kids, buy it, rent it, whatever.

If you haven't seen the underrated original DR. DOLITLE in widescreen stereo as you will be able to on DVD, you haven't seen it! The photography is outstanding (shot in TODD-AO 70MM) and the orchestrations and songs sound great! The Laser Disc was the only way to experience this oustanding family musical...until now. Sadly, though, two of the films best songs, "Where Are The Words" and the beautiful "Something In Your Smile" were cut from the film right before its release and are not restored here as hoped; be sure to check them out on the soundtrack, available on CD (you can hear the melodies play in the overture, opening credits, and exit music). Still, this is a great looking, great sounding musical for everyone! Many muusicals of the late Sixties were unfairly compared (or indeed did try to emulate) "The Sound of Music" and "Mary Poppins" As time has gone on, they can be finally apprecaited as the outstanding entertainments some of them are, like DOCTOR DOLITTLE.

This is a great movie, Rex Harrison is a genius, and Eddie Murphy is an idiot. This is the original story the way it is supposed to be seen, as a musical. Dr. Doolittle 1998, and its subsequent sequals is a disgrace. I could go on all day about how much I think Eddie sucks for not having done the songs, but you can look to my other review for that.

As far as Rex is concerned, there's been no one like him since. All the classics are here, "If I Could Talk To The Animals," "I'm A Vegetarian," and my personal favorite "Why Must We Treat Animals Like Animals?" All sung by Harrison in his brilliant half-singing, half-speaking style that he innovated so well all the way up through My Fair Lady.

Great kid movie too, even if it is a little bit dated, buy hey, what's the alternative? To show a movie to your kids that stars a guy who once made a living for himself by screaming the F-Word at people through a stage microphone? The choice is yours, but if you are a decent parent, I think it's a no-brainer.

Eddie Murphy is no Dr. Doolittle. The original and only Dr. Doolittle is Rex Harrison. He never disappoints.

This movie is one of the all time classics. It is fantastic and every child should see it at least once. A true family film.

I purchased this to watch with my wife and she had never seen it and I had forgetten that it is a musical, nicely done, alot of laughs, romance and adventure. The animals do not speak like in the newer movie, so it is a little more realistic. I do not like musicals as a whole but this one is fun to watch with all of the animals and stuff that goes on.

I fell in love with this movie when I was a little girl and was thrilled to find it on DVD. A must for anyone wanting to re-live wonderful childhood memories. Puts the new Dr. Dolittle to shame.

It is a very playful film,completely diferent from the new versions,it is not a comedy, is a very poetic story, in my oppinion better than the new ones.

After searching many different places, I finally found the original "Dr. Dolittle" here at Amazon. I was very pleased with the quick service and the DVD arrived in perfect shape. The quality of the movie was superb and my grandchildren and I all loved watching it.

I highly recommend this film for people of all ages It's a great film for the entire family to watch. Rex Harrison is absolutly brilliant as Doctor Dolittle. He's a wonderful actor in every film that he does. It deserves all the stars it can get. It's well worth the price and a film I never tire of watching.