- Actors: David Thewlis, Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, Fairuza Balk, Daniel Rigney
- Directors: John Frankenheimer, Richard Stanley
- Writers: Richard Stanley, H.G. Wells, Ron Hutchinson
- Producers: Claire Rudnick Polstein, Edward R. Pressman, Tim Zinnemann
- Language English, Indonesian
- Classification: 12
- Studio: Eiv
- VHS Release Date: 1 Oct 1999
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004CU3M
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 9,137 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Though this graphic 1996 version of HG Wells' The Island of Dr Moreau was roasted by critics, it's an utterly fascinating failure, largely due to the performances of David Thewlis, Val Kilmer and especially Marlon Brando in the title role as a mad (and in this case outrageously bizarre) scientist whose experiments in crossbreeding humans with animals have gone terribly awry. Thewlis plays the wayward scholar who is rescued at sea by Kilmer and brought to Moreau's island to discover the doctor's unnatural "children". Fairuza Balk plays Moreau's half-cat daughter, but it's Brando and Kilmer (in one scene doing a killer Brando impersonation) who steal the show, along with the astounding make-up effects created by Stan Winston. A guilty pleasure by any measure, this movie has definite cult-favourite potential. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
With a troubled production history - original director Richard Stanley was fired shortly into production with co-star Rob Morrow walking out in sympathy to be replaced by David Thewlis while replacement director John Frankenheimer and star Marlon Brando clashed with Val Kilmer in a nightmarish shoot - you'd be entitled to expect this version of H.G. Wells' novel to be a complete disaster. At times it's close, not least because of Brando's eccentric performance or the much-parodied by South Park scenes with his diminutive assistant, and the film certainly shows all the signs of trying to fix script problems in the cutting room rather than before they started shooting, but there are just enough half-good ideas here to make it worth a look if not worth a purchase. Few of them are fully realised and the tone veers from would-be Apocalypse Now with humanimals to schlock horror via bizarre rambling moments of self-indulgence from both Brando and Kilmer, leaving it with the feeling of a once-ambitious picture that's been reworked for the lowest common denominator yet still managing to miss. It's worth noting that a slightly different director's cut is available on DVD in the US - the UK DVD from Entertainment is the theatrical version - though it's no undiscovered masterpiece in either version and certainly the least effective of the three screen major adaptations of the novel.
8 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film contrary to the superficial interpretation of it, leads to how we (the human race) are no better than the animals we tame amongst us, in fact worse. This film has a very similar linking between "Lord of the Flies" (by William Golding) and "Animal Farm" (by George Orwell), since they both take a strong political side to them where the quest for leadership gets out of hand with primate minds. The film is very well structured and is ideal for those viewers who can use a little imagination to aid the concept of the film.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
As I first sat down do watch the Island of Dr M. I had relatively low expectations. I was therefore, presently surprised when I discovered it to be excellent in most respects.
The film gradually becomes more and more menacing and by the end, I felt genuinely scared! Furthermore, it raises a number of interesting questions about humanity. Such as, 'are we inherently violent creatures?' and most centrally, 'can our most base instincts be controlled.'
I would recommend this film to anyone who appreciates films that do more than simply tell a story. If you like cube, the pledge, American beauty or momento, then you will love this. Just watch it. Now. (Are you still here??!)
ps: BUY IT NOW!
The film gradually becomes more and more menacing and by the end, I felt genuinely scared! Furthermore, it raises a number of interesting questions about humanity. Such as, 'are we inherently violent creatures?' and most centrally, 'can our most base instincts be controlled.'
I would recommend this film to anyone who appreciates films that do more than simply tell a story. If you like cube, the pledge, American beauty or momento, then you will love this. Just watch it. Now. (Are you still here??!)
ps: BUY IT NOW!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Give it to somebody u don't like
H.G. Wells would punch John Frankenheimer right in the mouth if he could see this Godawful adaptation of his novel. Read more
Published on 23 Dec 2007 by Jay
Incorrectly perceived
I do not agree with these critics which claim that this movie does not present anything except lame suspense and bad violence scenes. I believe the casting is really great. Read more
Published on 1 Feb 2001 by Umut Erisen
Only for Monster Makeup Students
This disaster only deserves a star for the sensational creature makeup. The plot just drags along with low-witted archetypical characters and dialogue. Marlon Brando's Dr. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2000 by adler_caballero_de_set@hotmail.com
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