The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)

[jlk5844]

I read the site news announcement and wow did the story very much suck me in. And being from the 70s, I pictured an intense horror thriller rich with atmosphere. I've always been drawn to that poster artwork showing the transformation from man to animal. The title and that art always seemed so familiar to me and I imagined that it was a classic, well-regarded film.

BUT, that doesn't appear to be the case as I just found out, looking at the scores on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, and it just appears to be a run-of-the-mill 70s creature feature. Not that that is a bad thing at all, just not the mindset I was in, not quite the genre or caliber of film I had in mind. I have to admit I am a little disappointed by this discovery, as the story sounded really badass to me, and potentially haunting. I also learned that this is a remake of sorts of Island of Lost Souls, which I'll be sure to watch first and then at some point, I still will give this 70s version a watch just cause the story interests me and the cast is great.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I read the site news announcement and wow did the story very much suck me in. And being from the 70s, I pictured an intense horror thriller rich with atmosphere. I've always been drawn to that poster artwork showing the transformation from man to animal. The title and that art always seemed so familiar to me and I imagined that it was a classic, well-regarded film.

BUT, that doesn't appear to be the case as I just found out, looking at the scores on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, and it just appears to be a run-of-the-mill 70s creature feature. Not that that is a bad thing at all, just not the mindset I was in, not quite the genre or caliber of film I had in mind. I have to admit I am a little disappointed by this discovery, as the story sounded really badass to me, and potentially haunting. I also learned that this is a remake of sorts of Island of Lost Souls, which I'll be sure to watch first and then at some point, I still will give this 70s version a watch just cause the story interests me and the cast is great.

who cares what they say? Judge for yourself!

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I'd love to see that.... I've heard about it for years and years and if you watch the final scene in the boat you can clearly see where a change of editing happened....

That hit the bin when AIP decided the film was too tame to work as an R but too strong to get a PG, so trimmed it down to get a lower rating. It's doubtful the footage even exists anymore.

Hopefully Kino will include the nine-minute making of featurette that was shot at the time and distributed to local TV channels to promote the release (one of the many made by Elliot Geisinger, Ronald Saland and Jay Anson before they hit it big with The Amityville Horror) - none of the international releases include it (or even a trailer) and it's one of the better ones, with some good footage of the 'affection training' techniques with the animals.

HBO Intermission special 1978 - YouTube

[ilovenola2]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I DVRed the Marlon Brando remake the other night, but still haven't watched it.

Always heard it was a steaming pile of crap, but still intrigues me.

I am one of the few (Brando fanatic!) who actually paid money to see this "remake" in the theater when it was released. It's really, really awful!
Brando is a garish hoot, Val Kilmer strives valiantly (and in vain) to top Marlon in the Outrageousness Department and poor David Tewlis is stuck in the middle of the mess. Dreadful it is and not much fun--- but I'd see it if you can-- just so you can say you did. But--- without paying much.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

who cares what they say? Judge for yourself!

Of course, like I said, I still plan to see the movie based on the story and cast, and the scores won't affect my opinion really of the movie. It does prepare me for a potentially bad flick, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be that to me. Genre movies often have low ratings so I'm used to it.

It should be said in general though, if I'm not terribly interested in a movie that does have bad ratings from critics and people, it's pretty much gone from my radar. Those sites are valuable, just not 100% reliable. I've disagreed with low ratings and high ratings before, and I have also agreed with them.

All that said, if this was an MGM movie I hope it shows up on the MGM HD channel sometime soon.

[Alfredlynch]

Leonard Maltin gave it 3 Stars in his book. If you like the Planet of the Apes movies, I don't see how anyone couldn't like this.

[Rich65]

I will be getting this, I have Island of Lost Souls and while this is not as good, it is still a good movie in it's own right.

[ditcin]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I'd love to see that.... I've heard about it for years and years and if you watch the final scene in the boat you can clearly see where a change of editing happened....

...not to mention the poster art

[HonestJohn]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I have to admit I am a little disappointed by this discovery, as the story sounded really badass to me, and potentially haunting. I also learned that this is a remake of sorts of Island of Lost Souls, which I'll be sure to watch first and then at some point, I still will give this 70s version a watch just cause the story interests me and the cast is great.

If you want haunting, that would be a good way to describe Island of Lost Souls. This is a very good creature feature elevated by the cast. As AlfredLynch said, if you like the original Planet of the Apes, you'll like the 77 remake.

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by Alfredlynch

Leonard Maltin gave it 3 Stars in his book. If you like the Planet of the Apes movies, I don't see how anyone couldn't like this.

Originally Posted by HonestJohn

If you want haunting, that would be a good way to describe Island of Lost Souls. This is a very good creature feature elevated by the cast. As AlfredLynch said, if you like the original Planet of the Apes, you'll like the 77 remake.

Thanks guys. I very much do like the original Planet of the Apes and the sequels are fun, own every Apes film to date (except Burton's remake). I'll definitely check out both Island of Lost Souls and The Island of Dr. Moreau, hopefully by the end of the summer.

I realize this has been remade twice, but it would be cool to see a current, modern, serious take on the story.

[Rich65]

If it is done right that would be nice, something to make people forget the Stinkburger that was made in 1996.

[The Great Owl]

I first saw Don Taylor's 1977 adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau, on television during my childhood, and I fell head over heels with its overall vibe. The jungle island setting is gorgeous, Barbara Carrera (Lone Wolf McQuade, Never Say Never Again) was one of cinema's true beauties circa the late 1970s/early 1980s, the legendary Burt Lancaster gives his all to a film that other major actors might have used as a chance to phone in, Michael York (Logan's Run) is a competent leading man, and a series of stunts performed with live animals during the final moments are nothing short of awe-inspiring.

The makeup effects, which were reminiscent of the 1968 film, Planet of the Apes, seem relatively innocuous up until the final third, when Moreau's monstrous creations rise up and wreak havoc. I think that The Island of Dr. Moreau would have benefitted from keeping Moreau's creations more mysterious instead of showcasing them in broad daylight, because the results transform this version into a simple action movie without as much of a horror edge, but the makeup remains fairly convincing across the board, and I'll take it over computer effects any day of the week.

This version of the Wells novel lacks the subversive bite of the 1932 horror masterpiece, Island of Lost Souls, and, in the grand scheme of cinema, it does not leave a lot behind by which to be remembered. I love this 1977 version just the same, though, and I appreciate the notion that it's just a glorious sci-fi/horror/action flick that one can enjoy on a Saturday afternoon. There's nothing really controversial about this version, but it does have just enough cool menace to appeal to fans like me who saw it at an early age. All things considered, I tend to revisit this film just as much as I revisit Island of Lost Souls, and the sense of wonder that it evoked during my childhood viewing remains in effect.

The transfer of The Island of Dr. Moreau on this Kino Lorber Blu-ray looks good, and it is, by far, the best home video incarnation of this film that I have ever seen. The disc sounds good, although certain moments come across louder than usual. There's not a lot here in the extras, except for the trailers, and an intriguing deleted final image concerning the fact of the lovely Maria (Barbara Carrera). I, for one, am glad that the image was deleted and the ambiguity of the actual film remains intact.

The Island of Dr. Moreau is just a good old fun movie, and its release is just another example of why I love the Kino Lorber Blu-ray label.

[jlk5844]

I do want to see this version but I still need to check out Island of Lost Souls, looking to pick that one up during the B&N sale and will watch The Island of Dr. Moreau on Amazon Prime Instant Video to gauge if it's worth a buy.

[AaronSCH]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

who cares what they say? Judge for yourself!

Exactly. And I love the film.

[AaronSCH]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

I do want to see this version but I still need to check out Island of Lost Souls, looking to pick that one up during the B&N sale and will watch The Island of Dr. Moreau on Amazon Prime Instant Video to gauge if it's worth a buy.

You won't be disappointed. Considering its vintage it is a nice presentation. I prefer "Island of Lost Souls," but also enjoy this version of "The Island of Dr. Moreau" I understand there is yet another version in the works.

[DMRI2006]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Of course, like I said, I still plan to see the movie based on the story and cast, and the scores won't affect my opinion really of the movie. It does prepare me for a potentially bad flick, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be that to me. Genre movies often have low ratings so I'm used to it.

It should be said in general though, if I'm not terribly interested in a movie that does have bad ratings from critics and people, it's pretty much gone from my radar. Those sites are valuable, just not 100% reliable. I've disagreed with low ratings and high ratings before, and I have also agreed with them.

All that said, if this was an MGM movie I hope it shows up on the MGM HD channel sometime soon.

It's aired on the MGM HD channel many times already.

As for Rotten Tomatoes and all of that -- it's really kind of a waste of time because it doesn't actually tell you how good a movie really is. All it tells you is if people determine if it's worth watching -- not if it's great, or good, or just worth a rental. People online these days seem to have lost the ability to think for themselves but refer to it like it's some kind of major reference point. They look at the Tomato Meter and decide not to watch something. It's really sad.

Blade Runner was trashed by critics in 1982, if there WAS a Tomato Meter at the time it would have almost certainly been certified as "Rotten". (Even Leonard Maltin's Guide originally gave BLADE RUNNER and ALIEN --both of them -- 1.5 stars for YEARS until he "revisited" them and changed the ratings!)

[JimSmith]

I do like the setting of the 1977 version of The Island of Dr. Moreau myself and Barbara Carrera is of course so luscious and beautiful!!

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by DMRI2006

It's aired on the MGM HD channel many times already.

As for Rotten Tomatoes and all of that -- it's really kind of a waste of time because it doesn't actually tell you how good a movie really is. All it tells you is if people determine if it's worth watching -- not if it's great, or good, or just worth a rental. People online these days seem to have lost the ability to think for themselves but refer to it like it's some kind of major reference point. They look at the Tomato Meter and decide not to watch something. It's really sad.

Blade Runner was trashed by critics in 1982, if there WAS a Tomato Meter at the time it would have almost certainly been certified as "Rotten". (Even Leonard Maltin's Guide originally gave BLADE RUNNER and ALIEN --both of them -- 1.5 stars for YEARS until he "revisited" them and changed the ratings!)

I must've missed it, but also as of late, my DVR has been acting screwed up, channels alternate between watchable and a pixelated mess, sometimes not even available for a random amount of time. It must be old, I'll need to exchange it for a new one but I still have some movies on there to watch. In any case it's on Amazon Prime Instant Video.

Can't say I share your cynical view of Rotten Tomatoes and all that. I do look at reviews on the site though, there is value in it. For cult niche movies such as this I more often look at IMDb. I've enjoyed B-movies that were in the 4's and 5's range, so I've gotten a relatively firm grasp on how enjoyable I'll find something of this type because the masses don't rate these films very highly. Bottom line though, if I have an interest in a movie, most of the time ratings won't deter me from watching the movie. But the sites do tell what the quality of a movie is as a general consensus. I keep them in my toolbox.

[StingingVelvet]

Just watched this flick. Good effort with some nice imagery (and some INSANE animal stunts) but for me it pales in comparison to both the 30's original and the 90's insanity. It's just kind of generic, and I don't think the big change to the last act works very well or makes much sense. The blu is a little bright for my taste like most Kino releases but otherwise looks nice.

[sandman slim]

So... news article on the main page says Olive is re-releasing this, on DVD only, with a brand new commentary track. Uhm, what?