Doctor Dolittle (1967)

Revisiting this one for the first time in what must be over 25 years, I was sort of surprised to find a double fold of emotions of it being both good and bad. I think the first thing that came to mind was that it's a wasted opportunity to make a truly classic fantasy musical. There is much going for it production wise, the sets, the colour, the cinematography, and the leading man ensure the film keeps its head above the murky water of averageville. Yet the good points are done down by a quite boring plot structure, the meandering pacing, and quite simply awful execution of very average songs by the supporting cast. Clocking in at over two and half hours long, it's not hard to see why critics of the time dubbed it Doctor Does Little.

Rex Harrison plays Dolittle with a sense of grace and charm, and allowing for the fact that he hadn't wanted to do the project in the first place, it's with much credit that he carries the film on his shoulders and makes it certainly worth a viewing at least once. Emma Fairfax (Samantha Eggar} is a pointless character that the film really didn't need, and Eggar's screech like timing with the tunes is almost unwatchable, yet even she isn't the worst thing in the film, that accolade falls to Anthony Newley who is unwatchable as Matthew Mugg. The film was nominated for 9 awards, wining just the one for best song {the chipper Talk To The Animals}, which just goes to show the divisive nature of the piece, and in reality the film's appeal to children is understandable. Because it's cute enough with the various scenarios that the good doctor finds himself in, and of course the animals {both real and not}. It's just such a shame that a film that nearly bankrupted its studio doesn't realise the potential it obviously had on the page. A frustrating 5/10.

Fmovies: I haven't seen this since I was about 6 years old but I remember loving it. Yes, it was bloody long, but I used to watch it loads so it must've done something to hold my attention. I always fast-forwarded some of the more boring songs though 'Here I Stand at the Crossroads of Life' - I don't care, i want big jolly songs about mad animals. YES.

There's nothing like this about nowadays so we should treasure it whilst we still can.

I haven't seen the Eddie Murphy version and i have no plans too either, # R.I.P. Rex, you old star you......

Having grown up loving the music, storyline and animal interactions in the origional Doctor Dolittle, it was a jarring shock to watch the scatological-joke loaded remake.

Doctor Dolittle is a wonderful clean family film, with plenty of adult jokes to keep the parents chuckling and visual slapstick to tickle the young ones' funnybones. The music is top rate with the Oscar winning "Walk With the Animals" leading the way as the good Doctor searches for the Great Pink Sea Snail, encountering a number of wacky adventures along the way.

Doctor Dolittle would make a great companion to "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" for an evening of old fashioned family entertainment. Suspend you disbelief for a few hours and watch this one with your kids and toss the remake in the garbage disposal.

Doctor Dolittle fmovies. Yes the movie has the world is a wonderful beautiful magical place feel, yes the premise is pretentious at best, yes, yes, yes, but I love it. I have bought it many times as a gift. I will continue to do so.

Not only is this movie suitable for all the family even when the minister is in the room, but it is fun. The songs like Talk with the Animals and the song about the Pushme-Pullyou are sure to have your children singing and dancing, while other songs like Beautiful People (not the song by Melanie) will draw in even the most adult audience.

This movies comes from a time when people hoped to be able to look to a future without the problems that plagued our past. To all the cynics out there, if you ever get tired of only looking at the bad side of life I strongly recommend this movie, it is food for the soul.

Highly atmospheric and splendidly acted this film is a pure joy to watch. Legendary actor Rex Harrison give one of his best screen performances as the eracable,lovable Doctor. Anthony Newley gets one of his rare screen appearances and shows just what a talented performer he was.And of course Lord Attenbourgh's comic turn as Albert Blossom gives him rare comic opportunity.the score is well done by Leslie Bricusse (Newley's long time collaborator.)And the dialogue is sharp and witty. the performance are extremely real for a childeren's fantasy film. Its a shame that the Eddie Murphy misfire has taken recognition away from this charming film.

This has got to be one of the best movies ever made. The many wonderful and most importantly, memorable songs and lively characters contribute to the exciting and magical nature of the storyline. Anyone who can not see the inherent brilliance of this movie within the constraints placed upon films from this era is clearly missing the point. The delightful characters each add their own individual ideas to a film which has touched the hearts of children and adults alike. Rex Harrison plays a wonderful Doctor, forever entertaining and much more convincing than Eddie Murphy in the tragic American remake. This film is brilliant in its own right, and is definitely one for the books.