The Day of the Dolphin (1973)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Robert Merle (novel)
Buck Henry (writer)

Release Date:

29 March 1974 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Unwittingly He Trained a Dolphin to Kill the President of the United States

Plot:

Dr Jake Terrell, who has been training a pair of dolphins for many years, has had a breakthrough. He...

Plot Keywords:

Dolphin | Assassination | Talking Animal | Scientist | Exploding Boat

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Dr. Jake Terrell
Trish Van Devere	...	Maggie Terrell
Paul Sorvino	...	Curtis Mahoney
Fritz Weaver	...	Harold DeMilo
Jon Korkes	...	David
Edward Herrmann	...	Mike
Leslie Charleson	...	Maryanne
John David Carson	...	Larry
Victoria Racimo	...	Lana
John Dehner	...	Wallingford
Severn Darden	...	Schwinn
William Roerick	...	Dunhill
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Mrs. Rome
Phyllis Davis	...	Receptionist
Pat Zurica	...	First Mate

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-12 | Netherlands:12 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp

Company:

AVCO Embassy Pictures

Trivia:

Roman Polanski was originally supposed to direct the movie. He was in England scouting locations for the movie when his wife Sharon Tate was killed by the Manson Family.

Quotes:

Woman in audience: What about their speaking in English?
Dr. Jake Terrell: I'm sorry?
Woman in audience: I saw this dolphin on television and he could count from 1 to 10 in English.
Dr. Jake Terrell: Really? I must have missed that.
Woman in audience: Do you think its some kind of trick or something?
Dr. Jake Terrell: Yes... yes its just a trick.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Knightriders (1981)

Hauntingly beautiful music

I agree with the assessment that the movie points out how we, as caretakers of the Earth, tend to abusiveness and misunderstanding. I agree also that it is a hokey telling of that theme, but still effective. I might venture that a contributing factor in its effectiveness is the beautiful music created by George Delerue. It is lilting and graceful, moving through the air the way the dolphins move through the water. I was very affected at the end of this film.