THE ISLAND OF DR MOREAU

US, 1996, 96 minutes, Colour.
Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewliss, Temuera Morrison, Fairuza Balk, Daniel Rigney, Ron Perlman.
Directed by John Frankenheimer.


Charles Laughton in the 30s, Burt Lancaster in the 70s have played the mad scientist who is `playing God' with genetic experiments combining humans and animals. Now we have Marlon Brando, huge, dilettante English accent, carrying on like the pope of his island (with popemobile), pasty make-up, really making a spectacle of himself. Val Kilmer gives rather listless support.

The film was planned by director, Richard Stanley, who wrote the screenplay. However, he was fired within a week and replaced by John Frankenheimer. Several of the cast had personal difficulties, especially concerning divorce and the suicide of Marlon Brando’s daughter, early in the production and Brando withdrawing. Stanley made a number of documentaries including one about the making of this film.

The film is carried by David Thewliss (Naked), who does his best. An assorted international cast (including Ron Perlman, Temuera Morison, Fairuza Balk) play the mutants. The Queensland locations have atmosphere and the action combines with allegory about science and human dignity. But it is a might have been film.


1. The difficulties in production, change of director, cast? Difficulties with the performers? The failure of the film at the box office?

2. The popularity of HG Wells’ story, the 1930s version, the 1970s? The plot but its being updated to the late 20th century? The island, Dr Moreau, Montgomery assisting him, the range of humans, the range of mutants? Experiments, the use of technology?

3. The island, the settings, the jungle, the laboratory for experimentation? The sea? The musical score?

4. The focus on Edward Douglas, UN negotiator, the plane crash, the Java Sea, the rescue, his being taken to the island? Accommodation, information, observation?

5. The focus on Montgomery, his place on the island, his working with Dr Moreau, his personality, the encounter with Edward Douglas?

6. Marlon Brando as Dr Moreau, the touch of the absurd, his appearance and size, being carried with pomp, his manner of speaking? Credible as HG wells character?

7. The range of mutants, the cast performing them, appearance, behaviour, the mixture of human and animal? The experiments? The relationship with Moreau, his son? The sequences in the laboratory, the rabbits, eating them, Moreau not wanting death?

8. Edward Douglas, the effect of the experience, the attempts to escape, prevented, the building up to a confrontation and crisis?

9. The Sayer of the Law? His role, supporting Moreau? Philosophy, morality?

10. Douglas and his observing, the conference with Montgomery and Moreau? The birth of the hybrid? The explanation about DNA, Moreau and his motivations?

11. The growing unrest, the mutants, their rising up? Azzazello and the death? The repercussions?

12. The buildup to the confrontation with Moreau, his death? Azzazello and his killing Montgomery?

13. Edward Douglas, with the mutants, the buildup of dangers, the Sayer of the Law, his being guided – and his escape?

14. The 20th century interpretation of the classic novel?