The Island of Dr. Moreau

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The Island of Dr. Moreau

PG-13

1996

1h 35m

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

23%

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35 Reviews

20%

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25,000+ Ratings

An English U.N. negotiator (David Thewlis) becomes stranded in the tropics with a mad scientist (Marlon Brando) who makes half-human beasts.

Critics Consensus

Timid and unfocused in its storytelling, The Island Of Dr. Moreau is more lackluster misfire than morbid curiosity.

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

06/14/2022

John Frankenheimer is credited as director, but given the scrambled, multiple agendas at play here, he seems to function more like a bemused traffic cop.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

02/27/2018

Brando's performance is enormous fun, but it's not just a joke. He's hilarious and gently mesmerizing at once, and director John Frankenheimer savvily adjusts the tone of his movie to fit Brando's daft brilliance.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

08/16/2016

Roughly akin to watching a slow-motion train wreck in which the flames spread into the brush and become an out-of-control wildfire. What the hell happened?

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Sean Burns

WBUR’s Arts & Culture

May 22

There are a few good gonzo moments if you like watching miserable oddballs try to capsize a movie — Brando does a whole scene with an ice bucket on his head — but the headliners have far less screen time than you’d hope.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/30/2022

1.5/4

Not even the most devoted Frankenheimer enthusiast will find a coherent outcome, no matter how layered it may be with admirable degrees of pure oddity and (arguably intentional) hokum.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

09/14/2020

4/10

Thanks to special creature and makeup effects by Stan Winston, the various deformed fiends take center stage, showcasing diverting designs and a decent production value.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jul 12

Success in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $27,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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D P

@RT45936356 04/04/2025

Worse than the first one. I don't know how they convinced the great Marlon Brando to do this film. He must have needed the money.

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Mark F

@RT37250310 03/24/2025

The most outrageous spectacle you'll ever witness. I jest, it's bonkers but one of those so bad it's good movies.

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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic 01/23/2025

One of the worst films that you will ever see and to be honest I rather watch a documentary to how this film was made instead of rewatching this film again.

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Monty F

@RT42379131 12/11/2024

I liked it. For those who thought it was a hot mess, should an island full of experimental part man part beast run by a couple of insaniacs be any less. It had a straight forward story and didn’t need to be anymore than that. I saw the documentary about it first and thought I’d watch to see how bad it was. I ended up enjoying it.

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MG_Claymore C

@Claymore 11/19/2024

Frankenheimer is credited as director but after seeing the film, I bet he wishes he wasn't. Pretty sure this film is still up on YouTube. It's still not been taken down by copyright claim (DMCA'ed) In other words, even Warner Bros. doesn't want to claim this steaming heap of dog sh*t. Haha!

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John Frankenheimer

Director

Marlon Brando

Dr. Moreau

Val Kilmer

Montgomery

David Thewlis

Edward Douglas

Fairuza Balk

Aissa

Ron Perlman

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Synopsis

An English U.N. negotiator (David Thewlis) becomes stranded in the tropics with a mad scientist (Marlon Brando) who makes half-human beasts.

Director: John Frankenheimer
Producer: Edward R. Pressman
Screenwriter: Richard Stanley, Ron Hutchinson
Production Co: New Line Cinema
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $27.7M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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