Are We Not Men? Moreau’s Island

The Island of Doctor Moreau (1897) was written by H. G. Wells as a fundraiser and a pamphlet against animal vivisection. It is usually thought of as his “horror” novel though it has as much Science and Socialism in it as any of his best works. The book has been reprinted in Pulps, adapted into comics and most vividly on film.

The plot has Prendrick arrive on Moreau’s island by accident. Slowly he learns what the doctor has been up to in his House of Pain and where the terrible creatures of the island came from. It can be seen as a cautionary tract against Science going too far (ala Frankenstein) or as a poke at religion with Moreau as God and the Sayer of the Law as the mouthing pontiffs of organized religion. Some critics see Pendrick as observer while others feel he is as guilty of sin as those on the island (what really happened in the lifeboat from which only he survived?)

Any way you look at The Island of Dr. Moreau you will remember certain characters: the evil and ruthless Moreau, the sycophantic Montgomery (who isn’t all bad), the Sayer of the Law, and Prendrick the observer, each played memorably by different actors in different film versions.

The first version of Wells’ story was the French silent film,  The Island of Terror (1913) from the Kliene/Urbanora productions. This film is very rare and not much is known about it.

The first sound production got things off with a bang in 1932 with Island of Lost Souls starring Charles Laughton and Bela Legosi. This film is part of the Universal classic horror franchise and has been overshadowed by Frankenstein and Dracula. It is a pre-code film and has some raw sexuality in it. The introduction of the “Panther Woman” had a lasting effect on future films. Wells had no such character but uncredited Kathleen Burke plays her wonderfully and wildly. Charles Laughton is over-the-top insane with almost comic evil giggles and villain-esque posing. Richard Arlen as Prendrick is dull by today’s standards, being too good to be true. The film paints everything in black and white (no pun intended!) Bela Lugosi as the Sayer of the Law is hidden behind a furry mask but recognizable. After turning down Frankenstein because of the make-up he didn’t want to miss another opportunity to be a star.

Terror Is a Man (1959) is a Filipino/American horror film directed by Gerardo de Leon that gives no credit to Wells. It is the first of a series known as “Blood Island”, which also included Brides of Blood, The Mad Doctor of Blood Island and Beast of Blood. The film scales down the Moreau operation to one panther creature and introduces a romance between the Prendick character, Fitzgerald, and the mad doctor’s wife, Frances.

The Twilight People (1972) is another Filipino/American film directed by Eddie Romero. Similar in plot, it has Matt Farley kidnapped and taken to a secret island to be operated upon. Farley falls for Neva, and they defy the mad doctor and free the animals.

It took over forty years for another big budget Hollywood version but in 1977 The Island of Dr. Moreau starring Burt Lancaster and Michael York. Quite close to The Island of Lost Souls this version does deviate with Moreau using injections instead of surgery. Michael York, who plays Braddock instead of Prendrick, is not only observer but is injected with animal virus.

The film had three alternate endings, but settled on the feel good “they got away” one. The comic adaptation by Larry Hama has Barbara Carerra turn into a killer cat at the end. Imagine my disappointment, having read the comic, when the cat attack never happened.

AIP trademarked the word “Humanimals” to describe their island creatures, perhaps with a mind to merchandise the way Planet of the Apes had with masks and dolls. This never really happened. By today’s standards the animal make-up looks dated and unconvincing.

The Island of Dr. Moreau  (1996) starring Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, David Thewlis and Fairuza Balk was the first remake to use CGI effects. These were startling at times though animal actors still had to wear make-up. Peter Elliott as the villainous baboon gives a great performance despite the costume. The extra strange presence of the unmasked actors, Brando and Kilmer, seemed to get people attention more than the animal people. This more modern version has had time to read the critical works on the book, suggesting Prendrick is not the squeaky clean guy Richard Arlen played back in 1933. Fairuza Balk as the panther woman gives you someone to cheer for in a world of unlikable people. The filmmaker seemed to be saying that we are all animals no matter what we look like, a sentiment Wells would probably have agreed with.

1998 gave us “This Slide of Paradise” episode 25 of Sliders, Season 3, starring Michael York as Dr. Vargas. The third season of Sliders went from silly to sillier and the over-all effect was a nostalgia trip for those of us who remembered the 1977 film. The plot is essentially Wells with the Sliders gang playing Prendrick.

Dr. Moreau’s House of Pain (2004) is a more recent gory remake with Jessica Lancaster, perhaps a relative of Burt Lancaster? This film and the more recent remake of The Invisible Man and The War of the Worlds shows that Wells films aren’t going away any time soon. His themes become more and more relevant everyday.