Customer Reviews

The Island of Dr. Moreau

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Samuel Z. Arkoff, venerable producer of B sci-fi/horror flicks, presents this straightforward version of the H. G. Wells story. The best thing this flick has going for it is Burt Lancaster as Moreau. Moreau conducts forbidden experiments in vivisection, tampering with the genetics of animals. Moreau soon converts to evil action after shipwrecked Braddock (Michael York) stumbles into Moreau's bizarre island kingdom. The results of Moreau's failed experiments are horrific half-human/half-animal creatures that walk upright as men and howl in the distance. The best scene unfolds when Braddock finds the cave of the animal-men, and is threatened with violence. Moreau shows up tall and god-like on a convenient ledge. He commands the Sayer of the Law (Richard Basehart) to articulate the island code, "What is the Law?" The spitting wolf-man replies, "Not to go on all fours. Not to shed blood. etc." Each part of the jungle litany is answered by the refrain, "Are we not men?" Moreau has found through his work that the savage beast stubbornly reasserts itself. The creatures are on the brink of devolution. Worse yet, shedding blood would evoke the call of the wild on the island. "His is the House of Pain, His the Hand that Hurts," is the spoken warning that keeps the manimals in line. Moreau, it seems, wields the knife to surgically correct backward evolution, but also as punishment. Increasing beastiality leads to inevitable death, violence, and decimation on the island. Delectable eye-candy, Barbara Carrera, is around for romantic interludes. There is some mild nudity. Great fun for B movie sci-fi fans. Sensible viewers beware. ;-)

For those who may read...please check the three other reviews also enjoyable on this site. This gem from '77 was the seminal movie experience I had as a young teenager. It actually made me want to become an actor! You had York leading the way as "Andrew Braddock"...curious, intelligent and completely empathetic. Then there was Burt ("dandy" as Judith Christ called him) as the doc of evil machinations. Then supporting the duo were Davenport, Basehart, and the exquisitely lovely Barbara Carrera. This was probably workman director Don Taylor's best film. The scenery-lensed by Gerry Fisher-is gorgeous, Laurence Rosenthal's music score also one of his very best. (That haunting English horn...) The French loved this, but the American critics and audience were much more tepid. I think it's a well-made and intelligent adventure, which raises some serious issues at the same time providing first class entertainment. Lancaster and York made a handsome duo. I loved this remake, and will never forget that dinghy in the open water as the film begins...

This version of the classic H.G. Wells tale is infinitely superior to the '96 remake. It sustains its reputation because, like all enduring films, it is character driven. In no way do the the creature effects, which are adequately effective, take precedence over the actors' abilities.

The scene where Braddock (Michael York), confined to a cage, struggles to assert his willpower in recounting his childhood memories, remains a truly convincing piece of cinematic acting.

The DVD version, however, is supposedly in widescreen. That's W--I--D--E--S--C--R--E--E--N, ladies and gentlemen. The peripheral view here has been simply narrowed, with the black bars at the top and bottom serving no other purpose than to further restrict a viewer's access to more of the original picture. Is it to censor out the fleeting exposure of Barbara Carrera's nipple? (Nah, can't be... that'd be ridiculous.)

Perhaps the persons at MGM responsible for this DVD transfer should be sent on a retraining course to better understand the concept of widescreen format. Use of the term "widescreen" with regards to this DVD version is basically misrepresentation. The VHS Full Screen version actually provides more picture acreage.

Regardless, the film itself succeeds well in its conveyance of the dangers of amoral scientific advancement, the subjugation of perceived inferiors, and the inhumane versus the humane, all in an entertaining manner.

This Late 70's update of The Island of Lost Souls ( wisely retaining H.G. Well's original title) offers up two reunions in addition to its tropical horrors. Make-up artist John Chambers reunites with Don Taylor (both having worked on Escape from the Planet of the Apes in 1971) for this tepid but watchable adaption. Post's indifferent directing sabutages numerous potential horror moments, especially in the revelation of the various Humanimals on the island. The make-up seems dated even for its time (The Apes in Planet of the Apes look better) but perhaps that is why MGM had released this under its cheesy Midnite Movies banner.

Castwise, Micheal York does a better job then most have done with that role in other film versions but Barbera Carrea's character suffers from underexposure (well, dramatically speaking) and the hints of her origins are never properly addressed in the movie. Burt Lanchaster plays a formidable and active Moreau and his performance is by far the best in the film. Worth noting, the movie reunited him with former circus buddy Nick Cravat; costar of earlier films w/ Lanchaster such as The Crimson Pirate and The Flame and the Arrow.

In comparison to other film versions, this one plays very well, albiet somewhat lackluster. Not as zany as the 1996 film and certainly an improvement on the 1933 film.

The DVD features a solid transfer although there are 2 blue film blemishes that appear very fast. The disc is pretty bare bones with only the trailer as a supplement. But for 9.99 one can not complain.

If you're already a fan of the film, then get it.

Burt Lancaster gave a terrific performance as the ambitious Dr.Moreau who pretends to create anew race; the "humanimals" , half beats, half man and the inexpressive Michael Yoprk as the good guy who will intend by all his means to avoid the prolongation of this horrid nightmare.

Effective sci fi movie that, despite to count with minor technologic resources, it got its aim and surmounted by far the infamous remake of 1996.

When compared to the horrific "Island of Lost Souls" (1933), this 1977 version of the H.G. Wells classic pales considerably. Good production values, but Don Taylor's direction lacks punch and Burt Lancaster is woefully miscast in the title role. Despite everyone's best intentions, "The Island of Dr. Moreau" represents another failed remake.

The 1977 horror film "The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a fun surprise for those unacquainted. Part of an unusual class of big-budgeted 1970s American International projects including The Amityville Horror (1979) and Meteor (1979), the film's money shows in the form of a terrific cast, sweeping locales and artful makeup of the Planet of the Apes team. Based on H.G. Wells' The Island Of Dr. Moreau and a remake of the superior Island of Lost Souls in 1932, the film is a variation on the Frankenstein tale with a mad scientist conducting abominable experiments against nature.

Michael York, at the peak of popularity following the success of The Three Musketeers films, plays shipwreck survivor Andrew Braddock who washes ashore an isolated island in the Pacific. He encounters the fortified compound of Dr. Moreau (Burt Lancaster), a menacing presence with an interest in science and floppy hats. Braddock soon notices deformed servants, eerie howls from the jungle and a laboratory where Moreau burns the midnight oil. An assistant, the mercenary rogue Montgomery (Nigel Davenport), keeps to himself and drinks a lot. There's also the lovely Maria (Barbara Carrera), an oddly distant and confused woman who Moreau coddles with great care. Maria and Braddock have their eyes on each other and when they finally consummate their attraction, with the doctor eerily looking on, the candle-lit scenes are surprisingly sexy.

The film builds towards none-too-shocking revelations as Braddock discovers Moreau is conducting genetic altering experiments on animals of the island. The experiments have not succeeded, and Moreau's paradise is inhabited by menacing tribes of mutant animal/men shuffling around in jungle shadows.

When Braddock finally stumbles upon the cave of human beasts, we are introduced to lionmen, tigermen and bearmen, oh my! The makeup is about as complex as Lon Chaney, Jr.'s turn as The Wolf Man, but no matter. You feel genuine sympathy for the creatures. Richard Basehart's performance as "Sayer of the Law," a role Bela Lugosi played in the original, is excellent. Things take a turn for the creepy as Braddock becomes a prisoner of Moreau's experiments, leading to the film's most intense scenes.

If in the right mood, there's great fun to be found in "The Island of Dr. Moreau." I liked Moreau's compound, a tropical oasis barely holding back the vines of the menacing jungle. The movie is served well by the location filming in the Virgin Islands. The direction of TV veteran Don Taylor is adequate, with several jump-from-your-seat scare scenes popular in the day. The conclusion feels abrupt, as Braddock and Maria frantically attempt to escape the chaos of the island. It's abundantly clear Maria is one of Moreau's experiments (her character was a panther woman in the original). In fact, producers unwisely changed the original ending where she reverts to animal form. If you look closely, the final shot of Maria shows her face to be misshapen, with a quick edit creating the weak illusion of a happy ending.

Oh well, this is a great discovery for lovers of old-fashioned horror films, with the fine work of Lancaster and York giving this tale an enjoyable touch of class.

Based on the H.G. Wells' 1896 novel, this film ventures into the realms of human eugenics and genetic alterations. Based on the evolutionary tenets, the film speeds up the cosmic time table in producing men from animals in a short span of days

Like all created societies, the law must be given by the lawgiver. Dr. Moreau is the creator and lawgiver. The chimeras revere him as their god.

All is harmonious until Andrew Braddock washes a shore. He falls in love with the mysterious Maria who has a strange connection to Dr. Moreau and the island. Braddock begins questioning the research of Moreau.

The tension between the two men builds until the tragic climax.

After Moreau murders Montgomery, the caretaker of the compound, the chimeras begin to question their god. Montgomery had reached his point of human morality and challenged Moreau. Sometimes, when a person takes a stand on moral principle, it results in their death.

The Sayer of the Law, played brilliantly by Richard Baseheart, is the leader of the chimeras who repeats the law given by Moreau. The cadence of their recitation is very haunting.

The ending of the film is a sad commentary on the noble scientist who wanted to benefit humanity, but in the end his own arrogance and self deification led to the tragic lost of his humanity and paradise.

Burt Lancaster is in top form as Moreau. He seems to relish the part.

Braddock, played by Michael York, is the moral compass in the film. The struggle between animal and man is brilliantly portrayed by Braddock after he is injected with Moreau's experimental biological serum.

Like most films based on novels, the novel provides a different version with rich details. Read the novel as well.

After the 1933 horror Classic "Island of Lost Souls" starring Charles Laughton as Dr. Moreau & Bela Lugosi as Sayer of the Law yet another movie adaption of H.G. Wells (The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine, The Invisible Man" twisted horror novel starring the legendary Burt Lancaster as the half human half animal beast creator, Dr. Moreau & Michael York as Andrew Braddock, the shipwrecked man who is in terror on the island & beautiful Barbara Carrera as Braddocks's love interest Maria, It's a thrill ride!

If you saw the Kilmer/Brando version I urge you to see this version. Burt Lancaster is excelent as Dr. Moreau and York does fine work as Prendick. This movie is more faithful and easier to follow. If you liked the original book by H.G.Wells than skip Brando and see this one instead. Youll be glad you did.