Rent The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

2.4 of 5 from 81 ratings
1h 31min
Rent The Island of Dr. Moreau Online DVD & Blu-ray Rental
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Synopsis:
Edward Douglas (David Thewlis) narrowly escapes death when his plane crashes in the South Pacific. Adrift for weeks, he is rescued and taken to the mysterious island of Dr Moreau (Marlon Brando). Douglas meets the infamous doctor and his enigmatic assistant, Montgomery (Val Kilmer) but finds that he is a prisoner on the island. Unable to leave or get answers about the experiments Dr Moreau is conducting, Douglas searches for answers on his own. He discovers the beautiful Aissa (Fairuza Balk) and becomes infatuated by her animal sensuality. But as he explores further, Douglas uncovers fantastic and brutal experiments turning animal life into human-like beasts.
Dr Moreau has used the key of science to unlock the gates of hell.
Actors:
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Directors:
Writers:
HG Wells, Richard Stanley
Studio:
Entertainment In Video
Genres:
Action & Adventure, Horror, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Collections:
Brando: A Centenary Celebration, The Instant Expert's Guide: to Tim Burton
BBFC:
Release Date:
27/03/2000
Run Time:
91 minutes
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 2.0
DVD Regions:
Region 2
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen 2.35:1
Colour:
Colour

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Reviews (1) of The Island of Dr. Moreau

Mild spoilers follow ... - The Island of Dr. Moreau review by NP

Spoiler Alert
30/07/2015

This is adapted from the story by HG Wells in 1896, which was famously filmed as ‘The Island of Lost Souls’ in 1932, concerning animal/human hybrids.

Initially, Douglas’s (David Thewlis) disrespectful comments about Moreau’s cross-bred children, whilst in their presence, grinds alongside their exemplary manners. Indeed, the agent is told there is not one note of malice in them. However, it soon becomes obvious that Moreau’s control over them is far from humane, and the good doctor is – not that there was ever much doubt – insane.

Marlon Brando wrestles with an upper-crust British accent and some outsized false teeth. The accent is perfect, the prosthetics less so, rendering occasional moments of dialogue incomprehensible. His performance though, is terrific. Dangerous and a lot of fun. From his first appearance, draped in white, outsized sunglasses and a full face smothered in white ‘sunblock’, he is delightfully bizarre.

The film loses something when Brando’s presence is removed, and events become a bit of a jumble. Val Kilmer’s Montgomery, who takes Moreau’s place, is good, but he’s no Marlon Brando.

Ultimately, ‘The Island of Doctor Moreau’ is a thoroughly enjoyable film. David Thewlis (who joined the film after shooting had started, replacing another actor) initially seems miscast as Douglas, but he soon proves himself as the talented actor he is. The same can be said for the various hybrids, most of who really take advantage of the excellent make-up jobs and imbue them with tangible emotion which would be lost if everything was achieved with CGI.

It is difficult to ignore the critical mauling the film received, due in part to a series of unfortunate occurrences behind the scenes. Viewed almost 20 years after its release – and I speak as someone yet to see the original Charles Laughton version, so therefore have no other film to compare this to – I found it hugely enjoyable.

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