This is a pretty good, if not great, second official film version of the enduring H.G. Wells novel. Michael York stars as shipwreck survivor Andrew Braddock, whose boat washes up on the isolated Pacific island inhabited by the diabolical Dr. Moreau (Burt Lancaster). Braddock finds out what kinds of things that Moreau is up to, namely taking animals and turning them into partly human freaks. Realizing he's stuck on the island unless he takes matters into his own hands, Braddock struggles to survive, and falls in love with Maria (Barbara Carrera), the only female human (?) on the island.
Decent direction by Don Taylor (whose other genre credits during this decade include "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" and "Damien: Omen II"), lush cinematography by Gerry Fisher ("Wolfen"), beautiful scenery, and a soaring music score by Laurence Rosenthal help in the enjoyment of this respectable adaptation. Because it's shot in full colour, it doesn't quite have the stark, nightmarish quality of the 1932 film version, but it's still fairly intense, and it is grisly at times. The excellent makeup is credited to Tom Burman, Daniel C. Striepeke, and John Chambers, the man who'd done such memorable work on the "Planet of the Apes" series.
This adaptation, credited to Al Ramrus and John Herman Shaner, does manage one neat plot twist not seen in the other versions. It leads to some of the better moments in the last third as Braddock falls victim to Moreaus' machinations, and strives to retain his humanity (and memories).
Lancaster is not as campy as Charles Laughton or outright insane as Marlon Brando; he's much more low key, and is thus the scariest of the Moreaus in this viewers' humble opinion. Also, Nigel Davenport as Montgomery is not as guilt ridden as Arthur Hohl or screwy as Val Kilmer, instead playing the role as a true mercenary who only finds some semblance of scruples late in the game. York is very good and likable as our hero; the luscious Ms. Carrera is similarly appealing. Lancasters' longtime associate Nick Cravat plays the part of the servant M'Ling. Richard Basehart is solid as the verbose Sayer of the Law.
Good action scenes lead to a rousing, exciting finale. Overall, this is a sci-fi / horror feature worthy of viewing by genre fans.
Seven out of 10.
Decent direction by Don Taylor (whose other genre credits during this decade include "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" and "Damien: Omen II"), lush cinematography by Gerry Fisher ("Wolfen"), beautiful scenery, and a soaring music score by Laurence Rosenthal help in the enjoyment of this respectable adaptation. Because it's shot in full colour, it doesn't quite have the stark, nightmarish quality of the 1932 film version, but it's still fairly intense, and it is grisly at times. The excellent makeup is credited to Tom Burman, Daniel C. Striepeke, and John Chambers, the man who'd done such memorable work on the "Planet of the Apes" series.
This adaptation, credited to Al Ramrus and John Herman Shaner, does manage one neat plot twist not seen in the other versions. It leads to some of the better moments in the last third as Braddock falls victim to Moreaus' machinations, and strives to retain his humanity (and memories).
Lancaster is not as campy as Charles Laughton or outright insane as Marlon Brando; he's much more low key, and is thus the scariest of the Moreaus in this viewers' humble opinion. Also, Nigel Davenport as Montgomery is not as guilt ridden as Arthur Hohl or screwy as Val Kilmer, instead playing the role as a true mercenary who only finds some semblance of scruples late in the game. York is very good and likable as our hero; the luscious Ms. Carrera is similarly appealing. Lancasters' longtime associate Nick Cravat plays the part of the servant M'Ling. Richard Basehart is solid as the verbose Sayer of the Law.
Good action scenes lead to a rousing, exciting finale. Overall, this is a sci-fi / horror feature worthy of viewing by genre fans.
Seven out of 10.