The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writers (WGA):

H.G. Wells (novel)
Richard Stanley (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

23 August 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Through DNA experimentation Dr. Moreau has upset the balance of nature. By turning animals into humans, he's turned heaven into hell.

Plot:

After being rescued and brought to an island, a man discovers that it's inhabitants are experimental animals being turned into strange looking humans, all of it the work of a visionary doctor.

Plot Keywords:

Island | Homosexual Subtext | Explosion | Cult Favorite | Death Of Title Character

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

David Thewlis	...	Edward Douglas
Fairuza Balk	...	Aissa
Ron Perlman	...	Sayer of the Law
Marlon Brando	...	Dr. Moreau
Val Kilmer	...	Montgomery
Marco Hofschneider	...	M'Ling
Temuera Morrison	...	Azazello
William Hootkins	...	Kiril
Daniel Rigney	...	Hyena-Swine
Nelson de la Rosa	...	Majai
Peter Elliott	...	Assassimon
Mark Dacascos	...	Lo-Mai
Miguel López	...	Waggdi
Neil Young	...	Boar Man
David Hudson	...	Bison Man

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence, horror and gore involving mutant creatures.

Runtime:

96 min | USA:99 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Indonesian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Peru:14 | Iceland:16 | USA:PG-13 (certificate #34098) | South Korea:15 | Philippines:PG-13 | Australia:M | Belgium:KT | Brazil:12 | Finland:K-16 | Germany:16 (w) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | UK:12 | USA:Unrated (director's cut)

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

After being fired by the studio, original director Richard Stanley was rumored to have prevailed upon the makeup crew to turn him into one of the background mutants, so that he could at least keep tabs on the making of his dream project. He supposedly did not unmask himself until the wrap party.

Goofs:

Continuity: After witnessing the birth (24 min into the movie), Aissa guides Douglas to the beach. As they run through the forest, the light coming through the trees casts long shadows for the characters, yet as they emerge onto the beach they have no shadows at all.

Quotes:

Montgomery: Well, things didn't work out. Moreau wanted to turn animals into humans and humans into gods. But it's instinct and reason, instinct and reason. What's reason to a dog?
Azazello: To hunt. To kill, master. To run with the pack.
Montgomery: I wanna go to Dog Heaven!
[Azazello shoots Montgomery]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in True Heart (1997)

Soundtrack:

Night Bird

Underrated

"I have seen the devil in my microscope, and I have chained him." - Dr. Moreau (Marlon Brando)

Hyena-Swine, Boar Man, Bison Man, Fox Lady, Sow Lady, Melting Bulldog ... this is the island that Dr. Moreau has sown (story by H.G.Wells)

Brando (as the doctor) is an adamantly convincing godfather of animals. His daughter Aissa (Fairuza Balk) and his assistant Montgomery (Val Kilmer) must reap the fruits of his labor.

Ron Perlman (Sayer of the Law) and Temuera Morrison (Azazello) add an extra spice that piquantly compliments the creator's vile kingdom.

If in the mood for something off the beaten path - don't hesitate.