The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)

This is the second film adaption of H. G. Wells' "The Island of Dr. Moreau" I've seen, the previous one being 1933's Island of Lost Souls. Perhaps because the first one seemed very primitive, I found this version more entertaining. The material changes also helped as this time an Andrew Braddock (Michael York) is washed ashore with someone else but that someone else disappears soon after. He is found by Montgomery (Nigel Davenport) who introduces him to Dr. Paul Moreau (Burt Lancaster). Living with him is the exotic and sexy Maria (Barbara Carrera). Also inhabiting the island are various creatures led by the Sayer of the Law (Richard Basehart). I'll stop there and just say compared with the Charles Laughton characterization, Lancaster is very much more charming and subtle before we find out what he is capable of. Also, Montgomery here seems a bit more cynical but is still convincing when he turns a corner. And this Braddock character doesn't have a fiancée at home so he's...oh, watch the movie. Besides more exciting action scenes, there's an actual score by Laurence Rosenthal that compliments every segment it accompanies. And the tropical background scenes are so breathtaking. Kudos to director Don Taylor for making such a rousing adventure/horror film. And to American International, usually known for making drive-in exploitation features, for such a fine quality product. Nothing much more to say except that I highly recommend this version of The Island of Dr. Moreau.

Fmovies: Especially if you don't know what this movie is about before you're going to watch it, you'll be gripped by its mysterious and tense build up.

To be frank, this movie has one of the best and most tense story build ups I have seen in a long time. For a long time it remains unclear what exactly is going on and what the movie will be about. As the movie progresses the movie does loose some of its power and tension, when it falls into some obvious clichés and formulaic genre elements, plus some just plain odd and poorly done sequences. But all is forgiven. All in all this version of the H.G. Wells remains a well done one, with plenty of enough tense and mysterious moments in it, which absolutely makes this movie distinct itself from other genre movies. In a way the movie and its build up and atmosphere really reminded me of "Planet of the Apes (1968)"

The build up and atmosphere is amazing in the first halve. It doesn't use any fancy tricks but leaves lots of things up to the viewers own imagination. The second halve is however quite different and in fact is nothing more than a typical genre piece from the '70's. Everything gets explained but at the same time everything also is far from believable. The horror/monster elements are hardly refreshing or new and in a way degrade the story- and the movie in general. It definitely makes the second halve of the movie not as good as the first but the first halve builds up so many things in a great way, that the second halve can't really ruin it that much. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" at all times remains a perfectly good watchable movie that is unique and a standout in its genre.

Burt Lancaster does a good job at keeping his role simple and mysterious. Michael York works out way better as the main hero than you at first would expect.

The settings are nice and so is the rest of the visual look. The make-up effects might look perhaps a bit outdated in todays perspective but they're actually quite above par. Also the musical score from Laurence Rosenthal is surprising great and works effective in the movie.

Just forget the '96 version. This movie is in my opinion surprisingly a real must-see!

8/10

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My friend and I rented The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977). We both enjoyed it and thought the make-up was outstanding. There is some good acting and the story was close to Wells's novel. The remake was awful. This one is much better, so if you want to see a good science fiction movie rent this one. You won't be dissapointed. 7 out of 10.

The Island of Dr. Moreau fmovies. This verson of the HG Wells story is the best and most entertaining ever filmed. Director Don Taylor makes this film shine with creepiness and horror. Laurance Rosenthal's score is hard to find, but a great soundtrack when you can track it down. The late Burt Lancaster is fantastic and the "mad" doctor and all the make-up effects are superb! See this one!

If you saw this as a kid, you always thought it was a classic. Although it doesn't hold up when one is an adult so much, it is still a decent flick to watch if you sprained your ankle and can't get out of the house. The plot concerns a stranded engineer (York) of a freighter that lands on a remote island that is inhabited by strange creatures. Lancaster is superb as the ingenious Dr Monreau who is a gifted geneticist and biologist who wants to merge animals with man to get the perfect creation that only science can manufacture. He is obviously a disciple of Nietzsche and Spencer. There is a creepiness about the island that the film manages to sustain throughout. The make-up is excellent and the beast men are rather frightening (not recommended for children under 7). Basheart plays the sayer of the law, who as an aged and wisdom filled creature whom attempts to dissuade complete anarchy amongst the beast men. Not a bad production.

"The Island Of Dr.Moreau" is the remake of the H.G. Well's 1933 Classic "Island Of Lost Souls". Burt Lancaster is great as Dr.Moreau. This is a very well done movie. The make-up of Tom Burman & John Chambers is outstanding. All of the creatures look very realistic. This is a movie that I would love to have on DVD. I never saw the other remake of this. But from what I have heard, it was pretty awful. Classic Lines:

What Is The Law? Not to walk on all fours.

What Is The Law? Not to shed the blood of another man. That is the law.....