The Fly (1986)

Director:

David Cronenberg

Writers:

George Langelaan (short story)
Charles Edward Pogue (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 August 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Something went wrong in the lab today. Very wrong.

Plot:

A brilliant but eccentric scientist begins to transform into a giant man/fly hybrid after one of his experiments goes horribly wrong.

Plot Keywords:

Genetic Alteration | Paranoid | Fable | Experiment Gone Wrong | Gruesome

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Jeff Goldblum	...	Seth Brundle
Geena Davis	...	Veronica Quaife
John Getz	...	Stathis Borans
Joy Boushel	...	Tawny
Leslie Carlson	...	Dr. Brent Cheevers (as Les Carlson)
George Chuvalo	...	Marky
Michael Copeman	...	2nd Man in Bar
David Cronenberg	...	Gynecologist
Carol Lazare	...	Nurse
Shawn Hewitt	...	Clerk

Also Known As:

Mouche, La (Canada: French title)

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

UK | Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-18 (uncut) (2006) (DVD) | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1989) (VHS) | Finland:K-18 (1986) (cut) | Finland:K-18 (cut) (1986) (theatrical) | Canada:R (Ontario) | Argentina:18 | Chile:18 | France:-12 | Italy:VM14 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:M18 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18 | Australia:R (DVD/VHS version) | Australia:MA (TV version)

Filming Locations:

John Anderson Charcoal Broiled Hamburgers, 5270 Yonge Street, Willowdale, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Brooksfilms

Trivia:

The Chris Walas, Inc. designers studied graphic books on disease as a starting point for their "Brundlefly" makeup/creature designs. The final "Brundlefly" creature is horribly deformed and asymmetrical. This reflects director David Cronenberg's idea that the creature shouldn't be a giant fly, but rather a literal fusion of a man and an insect that embodies elements of both.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Brundle is giving his 'gene pool speech' to Ronny, he's walking around shirtless in his apartment. In the long shot of him (eventually) walking out of the room, the hairy wound on his back is not present. Seconds earlier in the scene, it is there and Ronny comments on it.

Quotes:

Tawny: [after Seth says it's Tawny's turn to teleport] I'm afraid.
Seth Brundle: Don't be afraid.
Ronnie: No. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "SpongeBob SquarePants: Patrick SmartPants/SquidBob TentaclePants (#4.6)" (2005)

Soundtrack:

HELP ME

Does one thing well

Most science fiction films are big on ideas and special effects, but weak on coherence and character development; most horror films are just the same, except without the ideas. But David Cronenberg's 'The Fly' takes one simple idea, develops it properly, and eschews (its genuinely terrifying) special effects until its truly horrific climax. And by paying some attention to the personalities of its protagonists, it actually makes you care about them (Jeff Goldblum is excellent in the lead role), and adds a level of serious reflection on the very nature of human mortality to the raw shock. The mix amounts to a gruesomely good film.