The Island of Dr. Moreau

Definitely one of my all-time favorites, easily landing in my top 5: The Island of Dr. Moreau. Even though it’s an oldie, it’s a total cult classic because the premise is just so gripping and executed so well. The pacing is a bit slow... but hey, it’s an old movie, and Marlon Brando really shines here.

That whole concept of creating the perfect being... honestly, it deserves an OSCAR.

A lot of people are probably going to hate on this movie, but honestly? I thought it was great.👍

Even if Frankenheimer went on to kill it with Ronin later on.🙏🙏

I wouldn't say the movie was anything special. It wasn't a disaster, but I wouldn't call it a masterpiece either.
Though, I have to admit, that scene where the animals tear Dr. Moreau apart was something else.😍

Has anyone actually sat through this in a theater? Personally, I’ll watch just about anything on DVD or streaming, but the cinema? No thanks. During the screening, I honestly felt like eating my seat out of sheer frustration. Aside from those damn Seven-style spikes—which have absolutely nothing to do with the actual aesthetic of the movie—it was, if I recall correctly, boring and just plain terrible. Those mutants were trying way too hard, and watching Marlon Brando was honestly just depressing.

The movie is just okay. Even Marlon Brando isn't quite at his peak here. I remember being absolutely obsessed with him when I was a kid! 👍

Which version are we actually talking about here?

Last😎

I think so, at least.

I brought up Frankenheimer and nobody even blinked—so I guess that's the consensus.

I wouldn't normally care enough to chime in, but I simply cannot resist dropping my two cents regarding Frankenheimer's The Island of Dr. Moreau. So, here it goes:

Dr. Moreau's Mysterious Island

Has anyone actually watched this? Because if you have, maybe someone can explain what the hell is actually happening in this movie?! Personally, I just read the original Wells's novel, so I didn't quite grasp the cinematic adaptation. Why does Dr. Moreau need to paint his face white?! Why does Val Kilmer spend the entire film acting like a complete moron? Why is Marlon Brando wearing a bucket on his head while they pour water into it like his brain is overheating and needs cooling? AND WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SMALL THING DRESSED LIKE BRANDO?!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL THAT ONE IS, BUT IT'S FREAKIN' ME OUT, MAN!

What’s the plot?

I think everyone knows the gist: a guy ends up on Moreau's island, where Moreau performs experiments to turn animals into humans, a gun goes off, everyone dies, and "there are some things man was not meant to know." Oh, and there's also this hot catgirl who gives a better performance than the lead (which makes sense, since the guy seems to spend the whole movie trying to figure out why he even agreed to act in this mess), she’s all over the screen, she’s the only female character, and the protagonist falls for her. Then she dies while trying to save him from the crazed beast-men. She fails, obviously. Well, they really played us there.

My favorite part is the beginning, when the catgirl shows the Hero the village where Moreau's creatures live. He is, naturally, absolutely revolted. But then suddenly, Moreau, the island owner, appears. Moreau is dressed like a high-society gentleman, rolls up in a limo, is decked out in flowers, and has a face coated in white makeup. WTF?
Hero: "WTF?"
Moreau: "I am Dr. Moreau."
Hero: "WTF?"
Moreau: "These are my children!"
Hero: "WTF?"
Moreau: "The sun bothers me terribly. That's why I always hide from it."
Hero: "WTF?"

(later on in another location)

Moreau: "These are my servants."
(hideous, ugly monsters introduce themselves)
Hero: "WTF?"
Moreau: "And this is Small."
Small: (extends a hand)
Hero: "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SMALL THING DRESSED LIKE BRANDO?!!! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL THAT ONE IS, BUT IT'S FREAKIN' ME OUT, MAN!"

Then there's Val Kilmer. He plays the doctor's assistant, who is perpetually full of himself. Okay, Moreau is insane too, but at least there's some logic there. I'll give Kilmer's brilliance credit for realizing exactly what kind of character he was playing. His character is one of those players at a D&D session who, purely out of boredom, spends the whole time trying to screw over the DM and their story:
DM: "Dr. Moreau wants the animals to stop eating meat and become civilized."
Jerk Player: "Fine, I'll drop a bunch of rabbits on the island, slaughter them, and toss them to the beasts."
DM (trying to salvage the game): "And then the good doctor organizes a trial for the animal that ate the rabbit, but forgives it."
Jerk Player: "But I already gave the doctor's servant a pistol with an order to execute that beast in front of everyone."
DM: "..."
Jerk Player: "And then I smash the radio station so the other players can't call for help. And before that, I'll break all the serum bottles that prevent the doctor's 'children' from regressing. Then I'll dress up like the doctor and walk among the animals."
DM: "Hoooooo-keej. And what do you say to them?"
Jerk Player: "Nothing. I just shit myself." (then starts imitating the DM's voice and rambling nonsense)
DM: "Fine. Fine. Okay. Then the servant you gave the gun to earlier pulls it out and shoots you in the heart. Now you're dead. Get lost and don't come back."
Jerk Player: "Hey, why? It was getting really good..."
Kilmer definitely played his role in line with that mindset.

And finally, the crazed beast-men cause a massive explosion of gasoline barrels that were conveniently placed around the island specifically for such occasions. They also somehow scavenge piles of firearms, which I never understood: if Moreau was so sure he had the animals under control, why the hell did he have all that weaponry on the island? If he wasn't sure he could control them, why on earth did he make weapons so accessible to the beasts yet so inaccessible to humans? The film ends with the Hero leaving the island to the prophetic words: "War… What is it good for?". The only ones left on the island are Ron Perlman and THAT SMALL THING DRESSED LIKE BRANDO AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL THAT ONE IS, BUT IT'S FREAKIN' ME OUT, MAN!

Of course

South Park poked fun at this movie through their Dr. Macphist, but personally, I found this version to be much more enjoyable.

casualotter21 said:AND WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT LITTLE THING DRESSED UP LIKE MARLON BRANDO?!!! I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT CREATURE EVEN IS, BUT IT IS STRAIGHT-UP CREEPY, MAN!

That part really unsettled me too... just awful.😲 😱

casualotter21👍 Pretty much like that.😉

That guy playing the "Hero" is totally 🤣

Roger Allen3 said:that guy playing the "Hero" is just 🤣

At first, I couldn't even wrap my head around who you were talking about...🤔

Then it clicked. 😢 (God knows how they even found him🙄 )

...wow, what a brilliant idea—truly a masterclass in execution... except when you consider that David Thewlis 😍

Good grief, I thought we were discussing the original version starring Michael York. That version featuring Marlon Brando is absolute garbage—just a collection of mindless scenes. It had all the potential to be a genuine horror film, but instead, it plays out like some bizarre comedy. Personally, I prefer the book; War World is far superior to Spielberg's dull adaptation.

ambasadorica said:I honestly couldn't place who you were talking about at first...🤔

but then it hit me😢 (where on earth did they even find him?🙄 )

divorcing jack 🤣