Rating: 
Summary: Philosophical Tale Well Told
Review:
This version of the classic H.G. Wells tale is infinitely superior to the '96 remake. It sustains its reputation because, like all enduring films, it is character driven. In no way do the the creature effects, which are adequately effective, take precedence over the actors' abilities.
The scene where Braddock (Michael York), confined to a cage, struggles to assert his willpower in recounting his childhood memories, remains a truly convincing piece of cinematic acting.
The DVD version, however, is supposedly in widescreen. That's W--I--D--E--S--C--R--E--E--N, ladies and gentlemen. The peripheral view here has been simply narrowed, with the black bars at the top and bottom serving no other purpose than to further restrict a viewer's access to more of the original picture. Is it to censor out the fleeting exposure of Barbara Carrera's nipple? (Nah, can't be. That'd be ridiculous.)
Perhaps the persons at MGM responsible for this DVD transfer should be sent on a retraining course to better understand the concept of widescreen format. Use of the term "widescreen" with regards to this DVD version is basically misrepresentation. The VHS Full Screen version actually provides more picture acreage.
Regardless, the film itself succeeds well in its conveyance of the dangers of amoral scientific advancement, the subjugation of perceived inferiors, and the inhumane versus the humane, all in an entertaining manner.
Rating: 
Summary: To understand nature, one must become as ruthless
Review: A childhood favorite, 1977's The Island of Dr. Moreau finally makes its way to DVD -- and it's a wonderfully clean and sharp transfer that makes the film look like it just came out. Based upon the novel by the prophetic H.G Wells, this spooky film still gets mileage out of its use of shadows and dark lighting. The tale tells of a shipwreck survivor who finds himself on a South Pacific island populated by a banished vivisectionist and his experimentations. Moreau as a morality tale, is a commentary on the fact that no matter what kind of sociological, philosophical, or religious trappings humankind surrounds itself with, we are little better than the beasts that we originally evolved from. It is indeed, a great tale. So is it a surprise that Hollywood has tried to capture its brilliance three times? The first attempt came with the 1930's film, the Island of Lost Souls. A noble attempt to be sure, featuring a great performance by Charles Laughton as Moreau who is both civil and evil: the film reflects Christian America's fear of science. Unfortunately, the film is little more than a monster flick. Then Samuel Z. Arkoff led the way for the 1977 version, featuring an outstanding Burt Lancaster as Moreau. He is easily the best thing in the film. Moreau is not evil this time: he reflects science without a moral center. Michael York is Braddock the shipwreck survivor, who falls in lust with the alluring Barbara Carerra -- Moreau's most successful creation. The role of Montgomery is played well by Nigel Davenport, who puts a strong performance into a pretty meatless role, and Sayer of Law is played by Richard Basehart, who intones "Are We Not Men" in an impressively deep voice. The central weakness of this version, however, is its lack of intensity. It has a creepy atmosphere to be sure, but its lack of compelling action can be frustrating. The beast-men FX reflect the ever evolving prosthetic make-up techniques of the time. And despite what some critics might say, they work well. Also interesting is the sub-plot where Moreau takes York into the "House of Pain" and conducts experiments on him. So this 1977 version may lack the power of the '33 version, but it's still better than the 1990's version, which took a self-parody approach and which also features a campy, and silly, Marlon Brando who is another incarnation of Kurtz. We also get Val Kilmer as another incarnation of Jim Morrison.
Rating:
Summary: "Island Mutations..."
Review: For those who may read...please check the three other reviews also enjoyable on this site. This gem from '77 was the seminal movie experience I had as a young teenager. It actually made me want to become an actor! You had York leading the way as "Andrew Braddock"...curious, intelligent and completely empathetic. Then there was Burt ("dandy" as Judith Christ called him) as the doc of evil machinations. Then supporting the duo were Davenport, Basehart, and the exquisitely lovely Barbara Carrera. This was probably workman director Don Taylor's best film. The scenery-lensed by Gerry Fisher-is gorgeous, Laurence Rosenthal's music score also one of his very best. (That haunting English horn...) The French loved this, but the American critics and audience were much more tepid. I think it's a well-made and intelligent adventure, which raises some serious issues at the same time providing first class entertainment. Lancaster and York made a handsome duo. I loved this remake, and will never forget that dinghy in the open water as the film begins...
Rating:
Summary: Quite Interesting And Involving.
Review: I just saw this movie very recently after never having seen it. I can't say I was disappointed--this was quite an interesting though-provoking movie. I actually saw the remake with Val Kilmer before I saw this 1977 version. There's no question that this version with Michael York and Burt Lancaster is better. This isn't the greatest film I've seen, but it surely isn't poor either. Michael York and Burt Lancaster both turn in great performances. I enjoyed Michael York also in Logan's Run and Burt Lancaster in The Birdman of Alcatraz. There was a thing or two I didn't quite understand about this film, but it wasn't enough to ruin the film for me. The makeup effects were good also. The scene with the tiger attacking one of the human-animal hybrids was well done. You have to feel sorry for Braddock near the end when Dr. Moreau's subjecting him to all of the horrid treatment. This movie was quite intriguing and interesting. I would have to actually give this film three-and-a-half stars. Well worth a watch.
Rating: 
Summary: Use in the Classroom
Review: I teach 9th grade English, and after reading Wells's "The Island of Dr. Moreau" in my English I class, I chose to have my students watch the 1996 remake rather than this version. Although both movies greatly deviate from Wells's story, the 1977 version would have bored my students to tears. If you intend to show a movie version of this novel, then I would choose the 1996 version since it is faster-paced and more dramatic. Plus, Val Kilmer plays a very convincing Montgomery. The redeeming quality of this 1977 version is the cave scene during which the Beast People teach Braddock "The Law," though your students will probably be asleep by the time that scene occurs.
Rating:
Summary: Lancaster better than Brando
Review: If you saw the Kilmer/Brando version I urge you to see this version. Burt Lancaster is excelent as Dr. Moreau and York does fine work as Prendick. This movie is more faithful and easier to follow. If you liked the original book by H.G.Wells than skip Brando and see this one instead. Youll be glad you did.
Rating:
Summary: Island of the Damned
Review: If you saw this as a kid, you always thought it was a classic. Although it doesn't hold up when one is an adult so much, it is still a decent flick to watch if you sprained your ankle and can't get out of the house. The plot concerns a stranded engineer (York) of a freighter that lands on a remote island that is inhabited by strange creatures. Lancaster is superb as the ingenious Dr Monreau who is a gifted geneticist and biologist who wants to merge animals with man to get the perfect creation that only science can manufacture. He is obviously a disciple of Nietzsche and Spencer. There is a creepiness about the island that the film manages to sustain throughout. The make-up is excellent and the beast men are rather frightening (not recommended for children under 7). Basheart plays the sayer of the law, who as an aged and wisdom filled creature whom attempts to dissuade complete anarchy amongst the beast men. Not a bad production.
Rating: 
Summary: Crocodile
Review: It is the older version of Crocodile. Set in China or Asia.
The picture was boring, because you could not see the movie plainly. It was too dark. Daytime looked like almost night all the way through the movie. If it wasn't such a waste of money I would toss it in the garbage. Just like Day of The animals. My friend has one of these. And you can see it just fine. Wish I could return both of them.
Rating:
Summary: Not for those with weak stomachs.
Review: Rather graphic remake of the H.G. Wells story with Burt Lancaster playing a mad scientist who conducts awful experiments with humans and animals on an uncharted island. The remake made in 1996 was not any beter.
Rating:
Summary: His Is the Hand!
Review: Samuel Z. Arkoff, venerable producer of B sci-fi/horror flicks, presents this straightforward version of the H. G. Wells story. The best thing this flick has going for it is Burt Lancaster as Moreau. Moreau conducts forbidden experiments in vivisection, tampering with the genetics of animals. Moreau soon converts to evil action after shipwrecked Braddock (Michael York) stumbles into Moreau's bizarre island kingdom. The results of Moreau's failed experiments are horrific half-human/half-animal creatures that walk upright as men and howl in the distance. The best scene unfolds when Braddock finds the cave of the animal-men, and is threatened with violence. Moreau shows up tall and god-like on a convenient ledge. He commands the Sayer of the Law (Richard Basehart) to articulate the island code, "What is the Law?" The spitting wolf-man replies, "Not to go on all fours. Not to shed blood. etc." Each part of the jungle litany is answered by the refrain, "Are we not men?" Moreau has found through his work that the savage beast stubbornly reasserts itself. The creatures are on the brink of devolution. Worse yet, shedding blood would evoke the call of the wild on the island. "His is the House of Pain, His the Hand that Hurts," is the spoken warning that keeps the manimals in line. Moreau, it seems, wields the knife to surgically correct backward evolution, but also as punishment. Increasing beastiality leads to inevitable death, violence, and decimation on the island. Delectable eye-candy, Barbara Carrera, is around for romantic interludes. There is some mild nudity. Great fun for B movie sci-fi fans. Sensible viewers beware. ;-)
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