The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977)

Too much of everything

The greatest movie ever made..!

Good concept, poorly executed.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

"The Island of Lost Souls" is the first version of this H. G. Wells story. It was not a good movie, but it did have great atmosphere. And Bela Lugosi. This version is much better. It's a much slicker rendition of the story. The creatures are much better constructed and the overall effectiveness of the film is quite good. The plot of this has to do with a scientist who is transforming animals into human-like creatures. They are constructed in a place called The House of Pain. Vivisection is performed and while these things are human-like, the maintain vestiges of their animal selves. The do have speech but for the most part they are either enslaved or abused. It is a reasonable telling of Wells story.

Crewman Andrew Braddock survives the wreck of the sailing ship and is assisted by a mysterious scientist Dr. Moreau, however, he soon meets the inhabitants of the island who are far from natural and things are not as they seem.Based on H. G. Wells classic and a remake of Island of Lost Souls (1932) with it's 1977 film pace trappings aside Burt Lancaster is outstanding as Dr. Moreau with great screen presence and Nigel Davenport's short screen time is impressive. While Michael York and Barbara Carrera's performances don't shake any trees the makeup effects are great (reminiscent of planet of the apes) but the abundance of daylight scenes rob them of much of the creepiness and the blood colouring is a little off and of the time.The end twist is brave and bleak and director Don Taylor offers some nice jungle scenery, tension, staging and the closing showdown with real animals and practical stunts are finely executed.

My Take: Good-looking and well-cast, but utterly tedious. I haven't read the book yet, and this is the only version of the novel that I have seen. This adaptation has its moments, but apparently too few than one might expect. Burt Lancaster delivers a wonderful performance, and so does the rest of the cast, but the film lags a bit too long. The make-up job on Richard Basehart and the other creatures are excellent, but doesn't show much to save some rather unimpressive moments.I'm sure H.G. Wells wouldn't roll on his grave with this since it is wonderfully fashioned, but it definitely not a classic like the first one, "The Island of Lost Souls", has become, but definitely worth a look for some fine performances, exotic locations and fine creature make-up. Also for those most in need of nap. Rating: ** out of 5.

Michael York IS this movie, first off. The atmosphere is competently generated and the story runs at a good pace. The makeup effects were adequate for the age, and the screenplay is superior. So what went wrong? Barbara Carrera's part was, for the most part, wasted. As Moreau's most successful work, she should have enjoyed more character development and less "doe caught in the headlights" moments. Michael York was, at the time, vastly underrated as a leading man, although he carries it off brilliantly here. And finally, the color was a mistake. Like Mel Brooks's Dracula: Dead and Loving It, it would have played far better in black and white. Frankly, if you turn your color down and the contrast up a notch or two and watch either of these works in black and white mode, the enjoyment factor is greatly elevated.What went right? Lancaster played his Moreau more casually, calmly. Instead of attempting to copy Laughton's over-the-top mad scientist routine, he did well as the good man gone awry. He proceeds with his experiments seemingly out of a genuine caring for understanding, rather than the old "because I can" or "ruling the world" ploys.The first half of this work is strong, atmospheric, and well done. The last half is more mechanical and plodding, though the first half does a long way towards carrying it all through to the conclusion.Frankly, this isn't as well done, or enjoyable, as the 1930's original, but it's light years above the 1990's remake. Oy Vey.It rates a 6.4/10 from...the Fiend :.