So attached am I to Rex Harrison's personage to the character of Doctor Dolittle, when I see copies of Hugh Lofting's books without the movie tie-in shots I actually feel cheated. There is no other Doctor Dolittle for me. Harrison is wonderful and regal amongst his animals and I love many of his lines (the spin he gives to his dialogue makes the words his own). My favorite: "When you say 'He can speak crab and pelican', they'll say 'Like hell he can!'" (cue parrot's ruffled reaction). Admittedly, "Doctor Dolittle" gets off to a clunky start with Anthony Newley telling of Dolittle's beginnings...and the film goes into stillborn flashback mode. I get defensive if a movie foists a flashback on me in the first 15 minutes (and this flashback is a long one, laden with silly slapstick). Why not start the story with Dolittle finding his voice, cut the introduction with Newley, and then get on with the plot? After this tiresome, talky opening, the pacing does pick up (right about the time Richard Attenborough enters as circus-owner Blossom). Harrison is on-target throughout but, story-wise, momentum doesn't build until the second hour, when Dolittle and his companions hit the South Seas in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail. Overall, the film simply LOOKS smashing, with marvelous locations in England's most beautiful city, Castle Combe. It is flawed (with that bad opening), but stick with it and see if you find Rex Harrison as charming as I did. *** from ****
70 Reviews
Not as bad as its reputation.
guswhovian30 March 2020
Cheery, fun musical from Fox. Dr. Dolittle has the ability to talk to animals, and takes Emma (Samantha Eggar) and Matthew (Anthony Newley) with him to find the mythical giant pink sea snail.
The songs are forgettable, but the cinematography, costumes and set design are good, and Rex Harrison is much less hammier than he was in My Fair Lady. The main problem with the film is Anthony Newley, who has one of the worst Irish accents afflicted upon the movie going public. Richard Attenborough has a nice cameo as a circus owner, and gets to sing the film's catchiest song. 3/5
The songs are forgettable, but the cinematography, costumes and set design are good, and Rex Harrison is much less hammier than he was in My Fair Lady. The main problem with the film is Anthony Newley, who has one of the worst Irish accents afflicted upon the movie going public. Richard Attenborough has a nice cameo as a circus owner, and gets to sing the film's catchiest song. 3/5
Has Not Kept Its Magic
JamesHitchcock10 September 2020
In the year 1845 Doctor John Dolittle is an eccentric physician in the English village of Puddleby. (The picturesque village of Castle Combe, Wiltshire was the prime location, although through some special effects magic this inland village in a landlocked county has somehow acquired a seaport and coastline). He finds that he has a much greater rapport with animals than he does with his human patients, so he switches to veterinary medicine instead, a field in which he enjoys great success because of his unique ability to talk to animals. The story follows his adventures in the company of his friends Matthew Mugg (an Irish cats'-meat salesman) and Tommy Stubbins (a young schoolboy) as they go in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.
Hugh Lofting's "Doctor Dolittle" books were a great favourite of mine during my childhood, so I absolutely loved this film when my parents took the family to see it. Of course, I was then blissfully unaware that the film had been savaged by most of the critics, that it had been a box-office flop and that difficulties in production had meant that the costs massively overran the original budget. (The cost of the finished film was $17 million; only four years earlier that would have made it the most expensive film ever made). My sisters and I were not, however, alone in our love of the film; the Academy nominated it for a "Best Picture" Oscar, a nomination which at the time seemed incomprehensible to most people in the film world.
So how has "Doctor Dolittle" held up over the fifty-odd years since it was made? Well, I can now see its flaws in a way which I could not as a child, although it certainly has its good points. Rex Harrison makes an attractively charismatic hero, even though he bears little resemblance to the short, plump Dolittle of the books. As he had shown in "My Fair Lady" he was not the world's greatest singer, but as in that film he manages to stroll his way through his songs, reciting rather than singing them. The first half of the film, set against some attractively photographed Wiltshire countryside and concentrating on Dolittle's dealings with his animal friends, is still enchanting.
Bricusse's songs are something of a mixed bag. Seeing the film again recently some of them, especially "My Friend the Doctor", "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" and, of course, "Talk to the Animals", took me instantly back to the world of my childhood. Others, however, are instantly forgettable and I have difficulty recalling them even though I only saw the film a few days ago.
Even as a child I couldn't see the point of Emma Fairfax, a character created for the film and not found in Lofting's books, and I'm none the wiser now. The producers presumably invented her because they wanted a female character and thought that Polynesia the parrot, Sophie the seal and Sheila the fox didn't count, but they never really found a proper role for Emma, who veers between love-interest for Matthew and love-interest for the Doctor himself without ever coming down on one side or the other. The concentration on Emma means that Tommy, the character I really identified with as he was a boy of my own age, plays a less important role here then he does in the books.
From my adult perspective, the film really goes downhill in the second half when the main characters leave England. I have to admit that, although Lofting, an ardent pacifist and animal-rights advocate, was in other respects a man of progressive views, he was also a racist, and some of this is carried across into the Sea Star scenes. When the Doctor and his friends find the Giant Pink Sea Snail the creature seems rather disappointing, making you wonder why they went all that way just to find it. Possibly this was a figment of Lofting's imagination that works better on the printed page than it does on screen.
The film still seems to have a following today, and turns up regularly on television, but for me it is a part of my childhood that (unlike, say Disney's "Jungle Book") has not retained its magic for me as an adult. 6/10
Hugh Lofting's "Doctor Dolittle" books were a great favourite of mine during my childhood, so I absolutely loved this film when my parents took the family to see it. Of course, I was then blissfully unaware that the film had been savaged by most of the critics, that it had been a box-office flop and that difficulties in production had meant that the costs massively overran the original budget. (The cost of the finished film was $17 million; only four years earlier that would have made it the most expensive film ever made). My sisters and I were not, however, alone in our love of the film; the Academy nominated it for a "Best Picture" Oscar, a nomination which at the time seemed incomprehensible to most people in the film world.
So how has "Doctor Dolittle" held up over the fifty-odd years since it was made? Well, I can now see its flaws in a way which I could not as a child, although it certainly has its good points. Rex Harrison makes an attractively charismatic hero, even though he bears little resemblance to the short, plump Dolittle of the books. As he had shown in "My Fair Lady" he was not the world's greatest singer, but as in that film he manages to stroll his way through his songs, reciting rather than singing them. The first half of the film, set against some attractively photographed Wiltshire countryside and concentrating on Dolittle's dealings with his animal friends, is still enchanting.
Bricusse's songs are something of a mixed bag. Seeing the film again recently some of them, especially "My Friend the Doctor", "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" and, of course, "Talk to the Animals", took me instantly back to the world of my childhood. Others, however, are instantly forgettable and I have difficulty recalling them even though I only saw the film a few days ago.
Even as a child I couldn't see the point of Emma Fairfax, a character created for the film and not found in Lofting's books, and I'm none the wiser now. The producers presumably invented her because they wanted a female character and thought that Polynesia the parrot, Sophie the seal and Sheila the fox didn't count, but they never really found a proper role for Emma, who veers between love-interest for Matthew and love-interest for the Doctor himself without ever coming down on one side or the other. The concentration on Emma means that Tommy, the character I really identified with as he was a boy of my own age, plays a less important role here then he does in the books.
From my adult perspective, the film really goes downhill in the second half when the main characters leave England. I have to admit that, although Lofting, an ardent pacifist and animal-rights advocate, was in other respects a man of progressive views, he was also a racist, and some of this is carried across into the Sea Star scenes. When the Doctor and his friends find the Giant Pink Sea Snail the creature seems rather disappointing, making you wonder why they went all that way just to find it. Possibly this was a figment of Lofting's imagination that works better on the printed page than it does on screen.
The film still seems to have a following today, and turns up regularly on television, but for me it is a part of my childhood that (unlike, say Disney's "Jungle Book") has not retained its magic for me as an adult. 6/10
Blimey, nostalgia mate
n.j.mcneill1 June 2000
I haven't seen this since I was about 6 years old but I remember loving it. Yes, it was bloody long, but I used to watch it loads so it must've done something to hold my attention. I always fast-forwarded some of the more boring songs though 'Here I Stand at the Crossroads of Life' - I don't care, i want big jolly songs about mad animals. YES.
There's nothing like this about nowadays so we should treasure it whilst we still can.
I haven't seen the Eddie Murphy version and i have no plans too either, # R.I.P. Rex, you old star you......
There's nothing like this about nowadays so we should treasure it whilst we still can.
I haven't seen the Eddie Murphy version and i have no plans too either, # R.I.P. Rex, you old star you......
Funny and entertaining musical comedy about an eccentric doctor who talks to animals
ma-cortes5 October 2022
An adventure about a 19th century English doctor and veterinarian , Dolittle (Rex Harrison) who dreams of teaching to animals to speak to him. Dolittle finds more satisfaction being around animals than people . Dr. John Dolittle is decided to hide from the world with his beloved animals. As Dolittle can talk to animals subsequently embarking on an adventure to find a legendary island with a young apprentice called Stubbins (William Dix) , a jaunty cockney vendor (Anthony Newley) , a beautiful girl (Samantha Eggar) and a crew of strange pets . To get money enough , he joins a fabulous circus with the only Pushmi-Pullyu in captivity . But he has to take a journey to a mysterious island to find an enormous pink snail . He's just not a people person. Ride across the sea inside the giant pink sea snail !. Learn to talk in 500 animal languages from a parrot who speaks 1000!.Fly across the world aboard the Lunar Moth !. Escape a Shipwreck and Travel on a Floating Island with Cannibals who Perform Shakespeare! The most joyous entertainment for the whole family! You've never seen anything like it in your life!.Non, jamais vous n'avez vu ca!
An epic musical adventure about a journey to a mythical island in search of a fantastic snail , regaining his wit and courage as Dolittle crosses adversaries , natives and encounters wondrous creatures. The marvelous and enjoyable premise suffers , at times , from a poor and weak script. Children will find this flick very amusing thanks to Harrison's stunning acting , attractive musical numbers , a lot of beloved animals , Robert Surtees' colorful cinematography and catching songs from Leslie Bricusse , such as : ¨My friend the doctor , Talk to the animals , Doctor Dolittle , I've never seen anything like it , Beautiful things , When I look in your eyes, After today, Fabulous places , Where are the words ?¨. Harrison performance as Dolittle owes a fair amount to his Professor Higgins from ¨My fair lady¨ . He's well accompanied by the always smpathetic Anthony Newley , Samantha Eggar , Peter Bull , Muriel Landers, Portia Nelson and Richard Attemborough's brief acting as a circus owner , among others . Traditional values and great movie for families , ressulting to be an exciting movie from beginning to end, this is an amazing feel nice film and I was hoping to see more like it.
Other versions about Hugh Lofting's acclaimed tales were starred by Eddie Murphy , such as : ¨Dr Dolittle 1 , 2, and 3¨ , made in 1998 , 2001 and 2006 . And recent ¨Dolittle¨ (2020) bt Stephen Gaghan with Robert Downey, Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen , Jim Broadbent , Jessie Buckley, Emma Thompson , Rami Malek. Wholeheartedly recommend for a great family movie. Fun enough and great adventure for kids and adults. Doctor Dolittle is one of the most joyous entertainment for the whole family.
An epic musical adventure about a journey to a mythical island in search of a fantastic snail , regaining his wit and courage as Dolittle crosses adversaries , natives and encounters wondrous creatures. The marvelous and enjoyable premise suffers , at times , from a poor and weak script. Children will find this flick very amusing thanks to Harrison's stunning acting , attractive musical numbers , a lot of beloved animals , Robert Surtees' colorful cinematography and catching songs from Leslie Bricusse , such as : ¨My friend the doctor , Talk to the animals , Doctor Dolittle , I've never seen anything like it , Beautiful things , When I look in your eyes, After today, Fabulous places , Where are the words ?¨. Harrison performance as Dolittle owes a fair amount to his Professor Higgins from ¨My fair lady¨ . He's well accompanied by the always smpathetic Anthony Newley , Samantha Eggar , Peter Bull , Muriel Landers, Portia Nelson and Richard Attemborough's brief acting as a circus owner , among others . Traditional values and great movie for families , ressulting to be an exciting movie from beginning to end, this is an amazing feel nice film and I was hoping to see more like it.
Other versions about Hugh Lofting's acclaimed tales were starred by Eddie Murphy , such as : ¨Dr Dolittle 1 , 2, and 3¨ , made in 1998 , 2001 and 2006 . And recent ¨Dolittle¨ (2020) bt Stephen Gaghan with Robert Downey, Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen , Jim Broadbent , Jessie Buckley, Emma Thompson , Rami Malek. Wholeheartedly recommend for a great family movie. Fun enough and great adventure for kids and adults. Doctor Dolittle is one of the most joyous entertainment for the whole family.
Great Film For Families And Animal Lovers
bellabanana9314 October 2017
As an animal lover, I very much enjoyed Dr. Doolitle (1967). It's an enjoyable Comedy/Adventure/Musical/Fantasy movie about Dr. Doolitle, the animal doctor, and his journey to find the Great Pink Sea Snail in order to improve on his skills in animal languages. I gave this film a 6/10 because the vintage settings are authentic and beautiful, the overall message of the film, and the cinematography is excellent. The criticisms that I have are that some of the characters were boring, some songs were dull and there are some very corny and unfunny moments.
The movie begins on a fishing deck in the middle of a town where the houses are yellow-brown brick and conjoined together with triangular rooftops, chimneys, and a sign reading "Fundlesy Clay". Dr. Doolite's home is not how you would expect an average veterinarian's home to look. Across the bridge and past, a small garden is Dr. Doolitle's brick house. There is a large doorbell and an engraved wooden and brass sign with his name on it on the wooden door. Inside his home, you will find all kinds of animals, such as pigs, monkeys, parrots, roosters, horses, donkeys, owls, sheep, ducks, rabbits, hedgehogs, cats, and dogs walking and sitting inside and outside.
The message of the film is about why we treat animals different from humans even though humans are animals as well. Dr. Doolite is a proud vegetarian who speaks to animals. When he was in court and presented his case in an attempt to prove that he is able to speak to animals, the judge decided to sentence Dr. Doolite to an insane asylum. He claims the reason in that he treats animals like humans and then Dr. Doolite goes into a song explaining why we should not kill and eat animals, and rather treat them like people.
The cinematography of the film is great. The director cuts to the new actors very smoothly when a new person is speaking or when something new has been introduced. The camera pans slowly onto Dr. Doolitle while he speaks the most important parts. While reading this book in the library after he is released from jail, the camera switches back and forth between Dr. Doolitle and Emma while they are conversing in a very smooth and professional manner.
The film is 152 minutes long. Adults may find some parts to be very immature humour or very corny. For example, there is a scene where Dr. Doolitle is singing what appears to be a love song to a baby seal in a stroller. Also, although some of the songs are humorous, short, sweet, and catchy, others are not. There are some songs in the film that I think should have been taken out completely. The characters, other than Dr. Doolitle, are boring and uninteresting. Their motives, strengths, and weakness are unclear as most characters in the film are not very dynamic.
I would recommend this movie to people who enjoy musicals. The film definitely gets better after the 1-hour mark. It is a good film to watch when you had a long day and just want to shut off your brain and enjoy a film with your family. The comedy is light and easy but there are definitely some funny moments. The animals are enjoyable, especially the two-headed llama.
I gave this film 6/10 stars because it was not nearly as good as I was hoping that it would be. The areas that I think that could be improved would definitely be that Tommy, Lady Petherington, and Matthew were all very boring characters. Some more detail could have been added to bring them to life. There were only 1 or 2 songs that I really enjoyed and found catchy in the film and some of the jokes made in the film seemed a tad lazy. The parts that made the film good were the cinematography, the settings, and the overall message of the film.
The movie begins on a fishing deck in the middle of a town where the houses are yellow-brown brick and conjoined together with triangular rooftops, chimneys, and a sign reading "Fundlesy Clay". Dr. Doolite's home is not how you would expect an average veterinarian's home to look. Across the bridge and past, a small garden is Dr. Doolitle's brick house. There is a large doorbell and an engraved wooden and brass sign with his name on it on the wooden door. Inside his home, you will find all kinds of animals, such as pigs, monkeys, parrots, roosters, horses, donkeys, owls, sheep, ducks, rabbits, hedgehogs, cats, and dogs walking and sitting inside and outside.
The message of the film is about why we treat animals different from humans even though humans are animals as well. Dr. Doolite is a proud vegetarian who speaks to animals. When he was in court and presented his case in an attempt to prove that he is able to speak to animals, the judge decided to sentence Dr. Doolite to an insane asylum. He claims the reason in that he treats animals like humans and then Dr. Doolite goes into a song explaining why we should not kill and eat animals, and rather treat them like people.
The cinematography of the film is great. The director cuts to the new actors very smoothly when a new person is speaking or when something new has been introduced. The camera pans slowly onto Dr. Doolitle while he speaks the most important parts. While reading this book in the library after he is released from jail, the camera switches back and forth between Dr. Doolitle and Emma while they are conversing in a very smooth and professional manner.
The film is 152 minutes long. Adults may find some parts to be very immature humour or very corny. For example, there is a scene where Dr. Doolitle is singing what appears to be a love song to a baby seal in a stroller. Also, although some of the songs are humorous, short, sweet, and catchy, others are not. There are some songs in the film that I think should have been taken out completely. The characters, other than Dr. Doolitle, are boring and uninteresting. Their motives, strengths, and weakness are unclear as most characters in the film are not very dynamic.
I would recommend this movie to people who enjoy musicals. The film definitely gets better after the 1-hour mark. It is a good film to watch when you had a long day and just want to shut off your brain and enjoy a film with your family. The comedy is light and easy but there are definitely some funny moments. The animals are enjoyable, especially the two-headed llama.
I gave this film 6/10 stars because it was not nearly as good as I was hoping that it would be. The areas that I think that could be improved would definitely be that Tommy, Lady Petherington, and Matthew were all very boring characters. Some more detail could have been added to bring them to life. There were only 1 or 2 songs that I really enjoyed and found catchy in the film and some of the jokes made in the film seemed a tad lazy. The parts that made the film good were the cinematography, the settings, and the overall message of the film.
Unfairly maligned
Leofwine_draca2 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
DOCTOR DOLITTLE is the famous film version of the Hugh Lofting novels, starring Rex Harrison as the fellow with a penchant for communicating with animals large and small. It was notoriously a flop on release but watching it these days it's hard to see why; the likable, fast-moving narrative features plenty of good songs and the situation is naturally humorous and allows itself to comedy. Harrison may have been one of the less friendly stars of his age but he fits the role like a glove and Anthony Newley and Samantha Eggar give good support too. Plus, if you're an animal lover then you'll enjoy the material anyway, because all kinds of breeds and species get plenty of funny screen time. I enjoyed it just as much as a well-regarded classic like THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Flits between maudlin and joy at regular intervals.
hitchcockthelegend4 March 2008
Revisiting this one for the first time in what must be over 25 years, I was sort of surprised to find a double fold of emotions of it being both good and bad. I think the first thing that came to mind was that it's a wasted opportunity to make a truly classic fantasy musical. There is much going for it production wise, the sets, the colour, the cinematography, and the leading man ensure the film keeps its head above the murky water of averageville. Yet the good points are done down by a quite boring plot structure, the meandering pacing, and quite simply awful execution of very average songs by the supporting cast. Clocking in at over two and half hours long, it's not hard to see why critics of the time dubbed it Doctor Does Little.
Rex Harrison plays Dolittle with a sense of grace and charm, and allowing for the fact that he hadn't wanted to do the project in the first place, it's with much credit that he carries the film on his shoulders and makes it certainly worth a viewing at least once. Emma Fairfax (Samantha Eggar) is a pointless character that the film really didn't need, and Eggar's screech like timing with the tunes is almost unwatchable, yet even she isn't the worst thing in the film, that accolade falls to Anthony Newley who is unwatchable as Matthew Mugg. The film was nominated for 9 awards, wining just the one for best song (the chipper Talk To The Animals), which just goes to show the divisive nature of the piece, and in reality the film's appeal to children is understandable. Because it's cute enough with the various scenarios that the good doctor finds himself in, and of course the animals (both real and not). It's just such a shame that a film that nearly bankrupted its studio doesn't realise the potential it obviously had on the page. A frustrating 5/10.
Rex Harrison plays Dolittle with a sense of grace and charm, and allowing for the fact that he hadn't wanted to do the project in the first place, it's with much credit that he carries the film on his shoulders and makes it certainly worth a viewing at least once. Emma Fairfax (Samantha Eggar) is a pointless character that the film really didn't need, and Eggar's screech like timing with the tunes is almost unwatchable, yet even she isn't the worst thing in the film, that accolade falls to Anthony Newley who is unwatchable as Matthew Mugg. The film was nominated for 9 awards, wining just the one for best song (the chipper Talk To The Animals), which just goes to show the divisive nature of the piece, and in reality the film's appeal to children is understandable. Because it's cute enough with the various scenarios that the good doctor finds himself in, and of course the animals (both real and not). It's just such a shame that a film that nearly bankrupted its studio doesn't realise the potential it obviously had on the page. A frustrating 5/10.
Oft-maligned film actually offers many delights
philosophymom1 September 1999
I know it goes against the general tide to praise this film (the only other place I've ever read a really positive review of it being the back of its own video cover), but I'm going to do it--and I'll even attach my name! For, in my opinion, this musical adaptation by Leslie Bricusse of Hugh Lofting's delightful "Doctor Dolittle" series succeeds in a great many respects. I was enchanted as a child when I saw it in the cinema, and I still enjoy watching it on video with my own children.
The admittedly meandering plot combines elements from various of the Dolittle books, but it essentially concerns the Victorian veterinarian's quest for the Great Pink Sea Snail, an animal whose language he hopes to add to the thousands he has already learned. Thus the first part of the movie takes Dolittle and his friends through several adventures on their way to earning the money to make the journey, while the second finds the entourage actually setting sail (on the aptly-named "Flounder") for Sea Star Island and their goal. And, even if the musical *is* so front-end-loaded with big numbers that the second half seems anticlimactic, and even if the resolution of the plot's final conflict *is* jarringly abrupt, and even if the film's direction *is* a tad slow, it is *also* the case that I find more than enough pleasures along the way to compensate for these shortcomings.
One is Bricusse's marvelous score. Besides the Academy Award-winning "Talk to the Animals," he includes two other showcase pieces for star Rex Harrison's trademark "powerful patter" delivery, the humorous "Vegetarian" and the impassioned "Like Animals." Other up-tempo winners are "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" (brilliantly put across by Richard Attenborough--the twinkle never leaves his eye!--in what amounts to an extended cameo as wily circus-master Albert Blossom) and "Faraway Places," while tender ballads "When I look in Your Eyes" and "Beautiful Things" are very affecting. And if "After Today" seems to have been pulled from the trunk of another show by mistake, the other Anthony Newly numbers--including "My Friend the Doctor" and "This is the World of Doctor Dolittle" (as well as the lovely "Where are the Words," which is on my soundtrack album but not in the video)--are spot on.
Another pleasure is the cast. As the Doctor, Harrison is wonderful, of course. The film was originally conceived as a reunion project for him and composing team Lerner & Lowe, who'd written "My Fair Lady," and it's clear that the part was written for the star. But I'm impressed that eventual Lerner & Lowe stand-in Bricusse, though he was obviously influenced by "My Fair Lady," resisted what had to be the temptation to turn the main character into Henry Higgins--and that Harrison also didn't see the gig as a mere Higgins reprise. The charming Doctor--kind to animals, children, and people from all walks of life; educated and capable but somehow sweetly clueless at the same time; gentle but rousable to anger on behalf of his charges--is a different character, and Harrison gets him right.
As for the other leads, Anthony Newly, for once, is perfect as the elfin Matthew Mugg, while child actor and "whatever-happened-to" candidate William Dix is a fine if underused Tommy Stubbins. Even Samantha Eggar, in the mis-conceived role of a tentative love-interest for Dolittle, does well with the part she's been given. And strong support is provided by the aforementioned Attenborough, Peter Bull as the beefy English squire who is the closest thing to a villain in this piece, and Geoffrey Holder as Willie Shakespeare, head of a quirkily-PC group of island natives encountered during the voyage.
Finally, there's the appearance of the film: it's beautiful. If you find you can't enjoy a musical unless it's shot on a soundstage, the wide-open spaces won't work for you, but I loved all the wonderful locations.
This is a big movie, long and theatrically-structured (Overture, Act I, Entr'acte, Act II, and even Exit Music!). They don't make them like this anymore--which sounds like a straight line, but I mean it in a regretful way. :-) I recommend "Doctor Dolittle" heartily, and I think the family will enjoy it even more if, before you watch it, you read a couple of the original Dolittle books together first!
[P.S.-- don't be put off this film if you didn't happen to like the similarly-titled 1998 Eddie Murphy vehicle which billed itself as a remake. They're completely different!]
The admittedly meandering plot combines elements from various of the Dolittle books, but it essentially concerns the Victorian veterinarian's quest for the Great Pink Sea Snail, an animal whose language he hopes to add to the thousands he has already learned. Thus the first part of the movie takes Dolittle and his friends through several adventures on their way to earning the money to make the journey, while the second finds the entourage actually setting sail (on the aptly-named "Flounder") for Sea Star Island and their goal. And, even if the musical *is* so front-end-loaded with big numbers that the second half seems anticlimactic, and even if the resolution of the plot's final conflict *is* jarringly abrupt, and even if the film's direction *is* a tad slow, it is *also* the case that I find more than enough pleasures along the way to compensate for these shortcomings.
One is Bricusse's marvelous score. Besides the Academy Award-winning "Talk to the Animals," he includes two other showcase pieces for star Rex Harrison's trademark "powerful patter" delivery, the humorous "Vegetarian" and the impassioned "Like Animals." Other up-tempo winners are "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" (brilliantly put across by Richard Attenborough--the twinkle never leaves his eye!--in what amounts to an extended cameo as wily circus-master Albert Blossom) and "Faraway Places," while tender ballads "When I look in Your Eyes" and "Beautiful Things" are very affecting. And if "After Today" seems to have been pulled from the trunk of another show by mistake, the other Anthony Newly numbers--including "My Friend the Doctor" and "This is the World of Doctor Dolittle" (as well as the lovely "Where are the Words," which is on my soundtrack album but not in the video)--are spot on.
Another pleasure is the cast. As the Doctor, Harrison is wonderful, of course. The film was originally conceived as a reunion project for him and composing team Lerner & Lowe, who'd written "My Fair Lady," and it's clear that the part was written for the star. But I'm impressed that eventual Lerner & Lowe stand-in Bricusse, though he was obviously influenced by "My Fair Lady," resisted what had to be the temptation to turn the main character into Henry Higgins--and that Harrison also didn't see the gig as a mere Higgins reprise. The charming Doctor--kind to animals, children, and people from all walks of life; educated and capable but somehow sweetly clueless at the same time; gentle but rousable to anger on behalf of his charges--is a different character, and Harrison gets him right.
As for the other leads, Anthony Newly, for once, is perfect as the elfin Matthew Mugg, while child actor and "whatever-happened-to" candidate William Dix is a fine if underused Tommy Stubbins. Even Samantha Eggar, in the mis-conceived role of a tentative love-interest for Dolittle, does well with the part she's been given. And strong support is provided by the aforementioned Attenborough, Peter Bull as the beefy English squire who is the closest thing to a villain in this piece, and Geoffrey Holder as Willie Shakespeare, head of a quirkily-PC group of island natives encountered during the voyage.
Finally, there's the appearance of the film: it's beautiful. If you find you can't enjoy a musical unless it's shot on a soundstage, the wide-open spaces won't work for you, but I loved all the wonderful locations.
This is a big movie, long and theatrically-structured (Overture, Act I, Entr'acte, Act II, and even Exit Music!). They don't make them like this anymore--which sounds like a straight line, but I mean it in a regretful way. :-) I recommend "Doctor Dolittle" heartily, and I think the family will enjoy it even more if, before you watch it, you read a couple of the original Dolittle books together first!
[P.S.-- don't be put off this film if you didn't happen to like the similarly-titled 1998 Eddie Murphy vehicle which billed itself as a remake. They're completely different!]
Animal Whisperer
kosmasp7 July 2007
The Remake of Doctor Doolittle is better known than the original. But despite the fact what you think of the Eddie Murphy staring vehicle (I kinda liked it), this is the original. And almost every time the original is better than the remake! (there are of course exception of the rule, see Ocean's 11 for instance).
But Rex Harrison is a great actor and even with animals as partners he's on top form here. The story isn't that easy to follow or better said, you're not sure where this is going. Does it have a goal or is it aimlessly drifting along? Of course it does have one, but it's difficult to spot. I enjoyed it, but it's just not everyones taste!
Edit: I finally figured out, why it seemed a bit off. Because it actually was more than "a bit off". The making of this movie is far more interesting than the end result we can watch. There was a "back story" on this movie in the magazine Empire. It shed quite some light on the difficulties the makers were confronted by, while making this movie. Rex Harrison was one of those "problems". It's too long a story to list here, but search for it and you will be amazed ... or utterly disappointed
But Rex Harrison is a great actor and even with animals as partners he's on top form here. The story isn't that easy to follow or better said, you're not sure where this is going. Does it have a goal or is it aimlessly drifting along? Of course it does have one, but it's difficult to spot. I enjoyed it, but it's just not everyones taste!
Edit: I finally figured out, why it seemed a bit off. Because it actually was more than "a bit off". The making of this movie is far more interesting than the end result we can watch. There was a "back story" on this movie in the magazine Empire. It shed quite some light on the difficulties the makers were confronted by, while making this movie. Rex Harrison was one of those "problems". It's too long a story to list here, but search for it and you will be amazed ... or utterly disappointed
Laborious
jonesy74-12 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I can't be as kind as many of the other commenters. I didn't see it when it first came out, although, I was inundated with the "Talk With the Animals" song everywhere I turned. Seems like we even played it in our junior high band.
I was under the impression that this was the most heralded musical in history with regard to the hype surrounding it. It was only recently that I realized that it was panned by the critics.
I finally watched it on Turner Movie Classics and realized what a "snoozer" it was. I kept thinking there might be some romance between someone in the film - Samantha Eggar and Rex Harrison... Samantha Eggar and Anthony Newley... Samantha Eggar and Geoffery Holder... Samantha Eggar and the Push-Me-Pull-You... Anthony Newley and Geoffery Holder... anything that would give this story a little life.
Rex Harrison is a great actor and carried this exhausting effort as bravely and heartily as he possibly could, however, in the end, it was a pointless story that dragged on and on and on.
"Talk to the Animals" was a reasonably good song for a musical, however, the rest of the songs rated "banal" in my estimation. Even Anthony Newly couldn't seem to pull it out of the fire with his pleasant voice and apt song styling.
It seems that the only thing that might have held children (since it was a family movie) would have been the animals, which weren't really used all that dramatically.
As much as I admire the actors who performed in this insipid tale, I have to say, it barely held my interest. My apologies to those who truly loved this movie.
I was under the impression that this was the most heralded musical in history with regard to the hype surrounding it. It was only recently that I realized that it was panned by the critics.
I finally watched it on Turner Movie Classics and realized what a "snoozer" it was. I kept thinking there might be some romance between someone in the film - Samantha Eggar and Rex Harrison... Samantha Eggar and Anthony Newley... Samantha Eggar and Geoffery Holder... Samantha Eggar and the Push-Me-Pull-You... Anthony Newley and Geoffery Holder... anything that would give this story a little life.
Rex Harrison is a great actor and carried this exhausting effort as bravely and heartily as he possibly could, however, in the end, it was a pointless story that dragged on and on and on.
"Talk to the Animals" was a reasonably good song for a musical, however, the rest of the songs rated "banal" in my estimation. Even Anthony Newly couldn't seem to pull it out of the fire with his pleasant voice and apt song styling.
It seems that the only thing that might have held children (since it was a family movie) would have been the animals, which weren't really used all that dramatically.
As much as I admire the actors who performed in this insipid tale, I have to say, it barely held my interest. My apologies to those who truly loved this movie.
Not Just For Animal Lovers!
EmperorNortonII28 December 2002
If the only "Dr. Dolittle" you've ever known is Eddie Murphy's rendition, you need to see Rex Harrison's original performance! The first "Dolittle" has the remake and its sequel beat by a mile! Sure, it has the look and feel of those campy 1960's movies, like "Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." But it also has the same comfy and family-friendly appeal. The original movie best captures the image of Hugh Lofting's famous veterinarian, in 19th-century England, just as he should be! So never mind Eddie Murphy, and enjoy the real Dr. Dolittle!
Mostly holds up
wreckd-9116910 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
When I was a kid, I watched Dr. Dolittle more times than I can count. After all these years, I decided to rewatch the movie again and see if it was still as good as I remembered it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, for the most part, Dr. Dolittle holds up pretty well. The overall writing and pacing of the movie was still solid, and I found myself enjoying it. The acting was also great, with the actors playing the roles of Dr. Dolittle and the animals especially standing out. My biggest complaint about the movie is that the comedy doesn't always hold up. Some of the jokes were a little too dated and the movie drags a bit in some parts. That said, I still found myself enjoying the movie and laughing at some of the humor.
The Movie that Almost Bankrupt 20th Century Fox
Gideon2423 May 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Dr. Dolittle is the 1967 musical dud that almost put 20th Century Fox out of business for good while simultaneously receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Picture of 1967.
Based on stories by Hugh Lofton, this is the story of John Dolittle, an anti-social doctor whose disdain for humans and love for animals motivates him to stop treating humans and only treat animals. He then discovers he has the ability to actually communicate with animals, an ability which ends up getting him arrested and on trial for his sanity.
Rex Harrison, fresh off his Oscar win for My Fair Lady comes off a little stiff in the title role. I learned later that Harrison was never comfortable with animals and hated every minute of making this film and some of that tension is evident in his performance. Anthony Newley plays his over eager sidekick Matthew, Samantha Eggar is lovely as the obligatory love interest, and Richard Attenborough nails a cameo as a circus owner named Mr. Blossom.
The lackluster musical score by Newley and Leslie Bricusse (who also wrote the screenplay) includes "My Friend the Doctor", "Beautiful Things", "When I Look in Your Eyes", "At the Crossroads", "After Today" "Never Seen Anything Like it" (delightfully performed by Attenborough) and the Oscar winner for Best Song of 1967, "Talk to the Animals." The film is overlong and interest wanes long before the final fadeout, but small children might find some fun here. The film was re-imagined almost four decades later as a vehicle for Eddie Murphy.
Based on stories by Hugh Lofton, this is the story of John Dolittle, an anti-social doctor whose disdain for humans and love for animals motivates him to stop treating humans and only treat animals. He then discovers he has the ability to actually communicate with animals, an ability which ends up getting him arrested and on trial for his sanity.
Rex Harrison, fresh off his Oscar win for My Fair Lady comes off a little stiff in the title role. I learned later that Harrison was never comfortable with animals and hated every minute of making this film and some of that tension is evident in his performance. Anthony Newley plays his over eager sidekick Matthew, Samantha Eggar is lovely as the obligatory love interest, and Richard Attenborough nails a cameo as a circus owner named Mr. Blossom.
The lackluster musical score by Newley and Leslie Bricusse (who also wrote the screenplay) includes "My Friend the Doctor", "Beautiful Things", "When I Look in Your Eyes", "At the Crossroads", "After Today" "Never Seen Anything Like it" (delightfully performed by Attenborough) and the Oscar winner for Best Song of 1967, "Talk to the Animals." The film is overlong and interest wanes long before the final fadeout, but small children might find some fun here. The film was re-imagined almost four decades later as a vehicle for Eddie Murphy.
A wonderful, colorful adventure for children of all ages
jimjo12164 October 2013
DOCTOR DOLITTLE (1967) is what a "family classic" should be. Entertaining the whole way through, with catchy and witty songs, colorful performances, plenty of cute animals, and a script packed with imagination and a sense of fun.
DOLITTLE was a favorite in my family, and I grew up watching it on a VHS we'd taped from an old television broadcast. To me Rex Harrison was always "Doctor Dolittle", even though the film came late in his career. When I discovered his earlier film work, I was amused at seeing a "young Doctor Dolittle". So my views may be colored by nostalgia, although I recently saw the movie in its entirety for the first time in many, many years and found it to be great fun.
The story has the feel of an episodic adventure, taking our heroes to different places and having them do different things. This keeps the audience engaged throughout the nearly two and a half hour running time. Doctor John Dolittle (Rex Harrison) is a physician in 1840s England who is more interested in the various species of animals than in his human patients. So he becomes a strictly animal doctor (veterinarian) and, with the help of his genius pet parrot, learns hundreds of animal dialects. The various side-adventures in this film are all in service of Dolittle's quest to find a mythical giant pink sea snail. First he showcases a rare two-headed llama (a "pushmi-pullyu") at a circus until he can earn enough money to set sail. From there come legal complications, a jail break plot, adventure on the high seas, and still more fun on an exotic "floating" island.
Harrison gives a signature performance as the good doctor. Dolittle's a very kind fellow whose ideas about treating animals with as much respect as humans (and his practice of fitting short-sighted horses with glasses, for example) run counter to the prevailing minds of his "civilized" community. The man's an eccentric genius who doesn't fit in with human society. Harrison's portrayal gives Dolittle the amusing peculiarities of an absent-minded professor. His performance is pretty funny in an understated way.
Singer-songwriter-actor Anthony Newley plays Irishman Matthew Mugg, one of Dolittle's few friends who, along with young Tommy Stubbins (William Dix), accompanies the doctor on his adventures. Matthew introduces Stubbins (and the audience) to the wonderful world of Doctor Dolittle, and the two "ordinary" characters act as proxies for the audience amid the fantastical happenings that seem to follow Harrison's character wherever he goes.
Lovely Samantha Eggar plays Emma Fairfax (affectionately known to Matthew as "Fred"), who first sides against Dolittle, but comes to be enchanted by the life he leads. Miss Fairfax is meant to give the film a romantic subplot, but the intended romance is a bit confusing (surely Rex Harrison is much too old for Eggar).
Richard Attenborough gives a tremendous, high-energy performance as Blossom, the owner of the circus. I love seeing him bounce around as he sings "I've Never Seen Anything Like It". Caribbean actor Geoffrey Holder (LIVE AND LET DIE) is great as the surprisingly literate tribal chief on the floating island.
The songs by Leslie Bricusse are delightful. "Talk To The Animals" is a classic. "My Friend The Doctor" is contagiously joyful. I think the lyrics are particularly well-done on numbers like "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" and "Like Animals".
The world of DOCTOR DOLITTLE is unforgettable. A mild-mannered Englishman travels the world in his top hat, conversing with dogs, pigs, whales, fish, horses, chimpanzees, seals, and elephants. It's a world of dancing two-headed llamas, centenarian parrots educated in thousands of animal languages (including "dead" languages like dodo and unicorn), islands that move about the globe, and giant moths that fly back and forth between the Earth and the moon (constantly attracted to the other's light). The script is clever and imaginative. Several scenes stand out: the horse eye exam, the circus, the cunning seal escape, the absurd shipwreck, the tribal execution, the pink sea snail.
Having now seen the film as an adult, and finding the experience thoroughly charming, I can't believe how lowly regarded it is. DOCTOR DOLITTLE entertains from beginning to end with a sense of wonder, a sense of adventure, and a sense of humor. Rex Harrison anchors a solid cast and the songs are great. The movie is something unique. Something original and self-contained. Where else will you see a whale pushing an entire island across the ocean? Or a dog giving testimony in court? Or a tribe of natives performing Shakespeare? It's a family classic. What's not to like?
I may have been pre-conditioned since childhood to like this film, but some of the criticism seems a bit over-the-top, stemming from dissatisfaction with the film's Oscar attention. Even if you don't enjoy roadshow-length family musicals, you must admit that the production is impressive from a technical standpoint (the sets, the cinematography, the special effects, the animal wrangling).
I actually like DOCTOR DOLITTLE, directed by Richard Fleischer (20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA), better than its popular contemporary CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The latter is fun despite its weaknesses, but DOLITTLE is something wonderful.
DOLITTLE was a favorite in my family, and I grew up watching it on a VHS we'd taped from an old television broadcast. To me Rex Harrison was always "Doctor Dolittle", even though the film came late in his career. When I discovered his earlier film work, I was amused at seeing a "young Doctor Dolittle". So my views may be colored by nostalgia, although I recently saw the movie in its entirety for the first time in many, many years and found it to be great fun.
The story has the feel of an episodic adventure, taking our heroes to different places and having them do different things. This keeps the audience engaged throughout the nearly two and a half hour running time. Doctor John Dolittle (Rex Harrison) is a physician in 1840s England who is more interested in the various species of animals than in his human patients. So he becomes a strictly animal doctor (veterinarian) and, with the help of his genius pet parrot, learns hundreds of animal dialects. The various side-adventures in this film are all in service of Dolittle's quest to find a mythical giant pink sea snail. First he showcases a rare two-headed llama (a "pushmi-pullyu") at a circus until he can earn enough money to set sail. From there come legal complications, a jail break plot, adventure on the high seas, and still more fun on an exotic "floating" island.
Harrison gives a signature performance as the good doctor. Dolittle's a very kind fellow whose ideas about treating animals with as much respect as humans (and his practice of fitting short-sighted horses with glasses, for example) run counter to the prevailing minds of his "civilized" community. The man's an eccentric genius who doesn't fit in with human society. Harrison's portrayal gives Dolittle the amusing peculiarities of an absent-minded professor. His performance is pretty funny in an understated way.
Singer-songwriter-actor Anthony Newley plays Irishman Matthew Mugg, one of Dolittle's few friends who, along with young Tommy Stubbins (William Dix), accompanies the doctor on his adventures. Matthew introduces Stubbins (and the audience) to the wonderful world of Doctor Dolittle, and the two "ordinary" characters act as proxies for the audience amid the fantastical happenings that seem to follow Harrison's character wherever he goes.
Lovely Samantha Eggar plays Emma Fairfax (affectionately known to Matthew as "Fred"), who first sides against Dolittle, but comes to be enchanted by the life he leads. Miss Fairfax is meant to give the film a romantic subplot, but the intended romance is a bit confusing (surely Rex Harrison is much too old for Eggar).
Richard Attenborough gives a tremendous, high-energy performance as Blossom, the owner of the circus. I love seeing him bounce around as he sings "I've Never Seen Anything Like It". Caribbean actor Geoffrey Holder (LIVE AND LET DIE) is great as the surprisingly literate tribal chief on the floating island.
The songs by Leslie Bricusse are delightful. "Talk To The Animals" is a classic. "My Friend The Doctor" is contagiously joyful. I think the lyrics are particularly well-done on numbers like "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" and "Like Animals".
The world of DOCTOR DOLITTLE is unforgettable. A mild-mannered Englishman travels the world in his top hat, conversing with dogs, pigs, whales, fish, horses, chimpanzees, seals, and elephants. It's a world of dancing two-headed llamas, centenarian parrots educated in thousands of animal languages (including "dead" languages like dodo and unicorn), islands that move about the globe, and giant moths that fly back and forth between the Earth and the moon (constantly attracted to the other's light). The script is clever and imaginative. Several scenes stand out: the horse eye exam, the circus, the cunning seal escape, the absurd shipwreck, the tribal execution, the pink sea snail.
Having now seen the film as an adult, and finding the experience thoroughly charming, I can't believe how lowly regarded it is. DOCTOR DOLITTLE entertains from beginning to end with a sense of wonder, a sense of adventure, and a sense of humor. Rex Harrison anchors a solid cast and the songs are great. The movie is something unique. Something original and self-contained. Where else will you see a whale pushing an entire island across the ocean? Or a dog giving testimony in court? Or a tribe of natives performing Shakespeare? It's a family classic. What's not to like?
I may have been pre-conditioned since childhood to like this film, but some of the criticism seems a bit over-the-top, stemming from dissatisfaction with the film's Oscar attention. Even if you don't enjoy roadshow-length family musicals, you must admit that the production is impressive from a technical standpoint (the sets, the cinematography, the special effects, the animal wrangling).
I actually like DOCTOR DOLITTLE, directed by Richard Fleischer (20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA), better than its popular contemporary CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG. The latter is fun despite its weaknesses, but DOLITTLE is something wonderful.
Still boring, but my kids liked it
cricketbat17 August 2020
I thought Doctor Dolittle was boring when I watched it as a kid, but when I watched it as an adult...it's still pretty boring. Here's the weird thing, though, my kids really liked it. I don't know why, exactly, maybe it's because they just liked seeing animals do silly things, or maybe it's the outlandish story. Regardless of what it was, we ended up having a nice time watching it together, even though I don't really care to watch it again.
I cannot belive how delightful this movie was
matthewjrau12 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I wanted very badly to make fun of this movie and call it corny, but frankly it was absolutely delightful. Perhaps it was because of limitations in film making at the time but i like how he learned the animals languages instead of having them just speak English. Overall the songs were catchy the cinematography was that great 1960's style and it was an overall feel good movie i enjoyed. Even though the ending of him flying the Moth the moon was a little cheesy.
It is what it is
thomas-leitha20 February 2020
Oft-maligned
and deservedly so.
readinglips7 January 2007
This film's reputation is so bad that you may be tempted to watch it. If so, you'll find a few charms ("Talk to the Animals" and "When I Look Into Your Eyes" numbers, great production values and a very game Rex Harrison) and riches of embarrassments.
It actually starts off fairly well with Anthony Newley introducing Dolittle and explaining how the doctor shifted from human patients to animals. But as it grids on, songs begin to sound similar, dropped in only when it's time for something different (rather than growing out of the plot and characters). The script has a few clever lines, but mostly unbelievable characters (in particular, Samantha Eggar's character is angry without motivation, whereas she could have provided some much needed romantic interest) and situations. (Yes, it's a fantasy, but fantasies can be convincing.)
Amazingly, Rex Harrison puts a lot of effort into his part and many of his scenes do pay off ("When I Look Into Your Eyes" song; courtroom scene). The photography, sets, costumes and other production values are gorgeous and you can see the money up there on the screen. But by film's end, one is appalled by the huge investment of time, talent and money, which yield so little result.
It actually starts off fairly well with Anthony Newley introducing Dolittle and explaining how the doctor shifted from human patients to animals. But as it grids on, songs begin to sound similar, dropped in only when it's time for something different (rather than growing out of the plot and characters). The script has a few clever lines, but mostly unbelievable characters (in particular, Samantha Eggar's character is angry without motivation, whereas she could have provided some much needed romantic interest) and situations. (Yes, it's a fantasy, but fantasies can be convincing.)
Amazingly, Rex Harrison puts a lot of effort into his part and many of his scenes do pay off ("When I Look Into Your Eyes" song; courtroom scene). The photography, sets, costumes and other production values are gorgeous and you can see the money up there on the screen. But by film's end, one is appalled by the huge investment of time, talent and money, which yield so little result.
Adorable Family Musical from the sixties with a flawless performance by Rex Harrison.
tsch87512525 June 2004
My childhood favorite still holds up! In 1967 I remember sitting in the theater in awe of this tall Englishman that could sing & talk to animals.
As an adult I can sit and enjoy another brilliant performance by the Late Great Sir Rex Harrison (God bless him!), this time as the Good Doctor Dolittle.
Leslie Bricusse has done a wonderful job combining some of the Hugh Lofting tales into a Big Hollywood Musical! I only wish that all the songs made it to the screen. Two were cut, I guess for time (Where are the words?, Something in your smile) but show up on the soundtrack record & CD. Robert Surtee's photography is gorgeous! It really should have walked away with an Oscar that year.
Richard Fleischer brings it altogether beautifully. His direction is just the right pace, letting us enjoy all the fantasy that is set in front of us. No quick cuts, loud noises - Hell, everything that audiences today never see. There is nothing wrong with taking time telling a story - I wish the new Hollywood understood that.
The circus number with Sir Richard Attenborough is just as entertaining today as it was in 1967. The Pushmi-Pullyu may not hold up to the digital effects of today but it's still just as lovable.
This family film is a treasure and it certainly is more to what Hugh Lofting envisioned compared to the recent Eddie Murphy films.
If you ever have a chance to see this in a Theater - GO!
The DVD has a beautiful transfer - I do wish the DVD had more extras, such as the two songs they cut for the final release. But it should be in the family collection.
Remember it has Rex Harrison in the title role. That alone should give you a reason to see it - If you haven't already
As an adult I can sit and enjoy another brilliant performance by the Late Great Sir Rex Harrison (God bless him!), this time as the Good Doctor Dolittle.
Leslie Bricusse has done a wonderful job combining some of the Hugh Lofting tales into a Big Hollywood Musical! I only wish that all the songs made it to the screen. Two were cut, I guess for time (Where are the words?, Something in your smile) but show up on the soundtrack record & CD. Robert Surtee's photography is gorgeous! It really should have walked away with an Oscar that year.
Richard Fleischer brings it altogether beautifully. His direction is just the right pace, letting us enjoy all the fantasy that is set in front of us. No quick cuts, loud noises - Hell, everything that audiences today never see. There is nothing wrong with taking time telling a story - I wish the new Hollywood understood that.
The circus number with Sir Richard Attenborough is just as entertaining today as it was in 1967. The Pushmi-Pullyu may not hold up to the digital effects of today but it's still just as lovable.
This family film is a treasure and it certainly is more to what Hugh Lofting envisioned compared to the recent Eddie Murphy films.
If you ever have a chance to see this in a Theater - GO!
The DVD has a beautiful transfer - I do wish the DVD had more extras, such as the two songs they cut for the final release. But it should be in the family collection.
Remember it has Rex Harrison in the title role. That alone should give you a reason to see it - If you haven't already
Take a zoo home for the kids
SimonJack21 September 2015
"Doctor Dolittle" was something of an endearing movie for 1967. It captured two Oscars, for best music original song, and for best effects, special effects. But it received seven other nominations that year. The film had many problems in the making, and got mixed reviews. It did OK at the box office, but wasn't able to cover its bloated budget.
The story is a simple one, and it combines an almost encyclopedic close- up look at real animals and birds, with a couple fantasy creatures. The search for a giant pink snail and a lunar moth are the fodder for such tales that stimulate the imaginations of young and old alike.
Most of the roles were OK, but not special. That is, except for Anthony Newley whose Matthew Mugg did a yeoman's job of escorting Tommy Stubbins and we viewers through the film. He did this very nicely with song and dance and dashes of wit and humor here and there. Rex Harrison plays the main character, Dr. John Dolittle. Samantha Eggar is OK as Emma Fairfax and Richard Attenborough is very good as Albert Blossom.
But the stealers of this show are the animals and birds. I tried to count the number of different critters but lost count half was through. There are a lot of animals and birds in the film, and many that have small roles of "talking" with Dr. Dolittle. The critters were supplied and trained by Jungleland of Thousand Oaks, California – later known as Jungleland USA. That former filming zoo and theme park entertained people for nearly four decades until it closed in 1969. During that time and before then, it was home to some famous animals of filmdom. Mr. Ed, the talking horse from the popular TV series of eight years (1958-1966) lived there. Bimbo the elephant from the 1950s TV series, "Circus Boy," was at home there. Tamba, the chimpanzee from the "Jungle Jim" movies was a resident of Jungleland. And Leo the Lion, the famous MGM mascot, lived there.
This original film of the man who could talk to animals remains a fun movie for the family. Small children who often are enthralled by animals especially enjoy this film. I look for films like this for my grandchildren.
The story is a simple one, and it combines an almost encyclopedic close- up look at real animals and birds, with a couple fantasy creatures. The search for a giant pink snail and a lunar moth are the fodder for such tales that stimulate the imaginations of young and old alike.
Most of the roles were OK, but not special. That is, except for Anthony Newley whose Matthew Mugg did a yeoman's job of escorting Tommy Stubbins and we viewers through the film. He did this very nicely with song and dance and dashes of wit and humor here and there. Rex Harrison plays the main character, Dr. John Dolittle. Samantha Eggar is OK as Emma Fairfax and Richard Attenborough is very good as Albert Blossom.
But the stealers of this show are the animals and birds. I tried to count the number of different critters but lost count half was through. There are a lot of animals and birds in the film, and many that have small roles of "talking" with Dr. Dolittle. The critters were supplied and trained by Jungleland of Thousand Oaks, California – later known as Jungleland USA. That former filming zoo and theme park entertained people for nearly four decades until it closed in 1969. During that time and before then, it was home to some famous animals of filmdom. Mr. Ed, the talking horse from the popular TV series of eight years (1958-1966) lived there. Bimbo the elephant from the 1950s TV series, "Circus Boy," was at home there. Tamba, the chimpanzee from the "Jungle Jim" movies was a resident of Jungleland. And Leo the Lion, the famous MGM mascot, lived there.
This original film of the man who could talk to animals remains a fun movie for the family. Small children who often are enthralled by animals especially enjoy this film. I look for films like this for my grandchildren.
The Title Says It All.
phillindholm28 December 2008
Back in 1967, ''Doctor Dolittle'' was intended as the BIG ONE from Twentieth Century-Fox. Thanks,in no small part to it's huge budget, it received much more than it's share of publicity, both pro and con. Long before it was released, a major merchandising campaign began, much like those used by the Disney Studio. Countless singles and albums were released with everyone from Barbra Streisand to Bobby Darin putting their own talents to work on the songs. Elaborate plans were made for the various premieres. So Far, So Good. Then, the film opened.And what went wrong?. Just about everything. Sadly, what might have made a tolerable 90 minute fantasy,had instead become a bloated,stodgy bore,which satisfied neither kids or adults. The original Hugh Lofting stories were all but thrown away for another attempt to grab the brass ring with a hit ''Roadshow Musical''. Though Fox wasn't alone in trying to foist an over-produced would-be spectacular on an increasingly fed up public (Think ''Camelot'' ''Half A Sixpence'' ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'' as well as their own ''Star'') ''Dolittle'' is the one which nearly closed it's studio. And it's all to clear why. Even if the film had the requisite appeal for kids (which it did not) the idea of marketing a then-colossal $18 million dollar production to them, was plain suicide. Still, the movie has it's good points. Rex Harrison, (in the title role ) who, at one point, pulled out of the film, (and was briefly replaced by Christopher Plummer) does manage to be fairly ingratiating, though his character doesn't have much dimension. The songs, while no great shakes, do provide attractive background music. The photography is beautiful. But both Samantha Eggar and (Sir)Richard Attenbourough are wasted, Anthony Newley, as usual, mugs his way through his part-as, appropriately,''Matthew Mugg''. William Dix, the talented young co star of ''The Nanny'' is literally, just along for the ride. Where are they off to?. A voyage to find the ''Great Pink Sea Snail''. And that's about it for the ''plot''. Not surprisingly, the film was cut prior to it's national release, one of the casualties being a musical number. At the beginning of the film, there was even a hint of a possible Love Triangle between Harrison, Emma Fairfax (Eggar) and Newley which was also apparently cut. And, with it went the only (possibly) interesting conflict in the film.It was probably no surprise after a listless thirty minutes,that a film taking so long to get where it's going, ends up going nowhere. And, for this, audiences were expected to pay inflated ticket prices and reserve seats in advance. However, thanks to the early negative response, they were spared the expense.The same was definitely not true for Twentieth-century Fox.
The Great Doctor Dolittle
nicemess617 May 2003
I was taken as a child to see this movie in 1967 and loved it. I ended up buying the soundtrack, coloring books, puzzles, etc. It charmed me that much. Today, I still find it to be a great yet under-rated film. The DVD is nice, but this is a movie that is really meant to be seen on the big screen. That is why I also own a copy on 16mm film. What a difference it makes seeing it in this format. Regardless of how you watch it, this movie is entertaining for kids and adults of all ages. Those who might get bored with it are those who prefer the newer version with Eddie Murphey over this classic from 1967. Which, by the way, got nominated for Best Picture and won the Oscar for Best Song (Talk to the Animals). Rex Harrison's performance is outstanding as the wonderful Doctor Dolittle. I give this timeless film an 8 out of 10.
Lengthy and somewhat underwhelming musical
jamesrupert201410 February 2019
Based on Hugh Lofting's books about a veterinarian who can talk to animals, the film finds the eponymous doctor (Rex Harrison) searching for a mythic Giant Pink Sea-snail while on the run from a magistrate (Peter Bull) who plans to commit him. Accompanying is Irish fishmonger Matthew Muggan (Anthony Newley), Emma Fairfax, a young lady of breeding (Samantha Eggar), Tommy, a likely lad (William Dix) and a number of animals including Polynesia, a talking polyglot-parrot. Mixed in with the whimsical story are a number of uninspired songs ('Talk with the Animals' is the best of the lot) and dance numbers, some of which go on far too long (Richard Attenborough is good but his "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" production number seemed endless). The cast was fine although Rex Harrison, while an undeniable screen presence, seemed a bit old to be Emma's unrequited love (Eggar being 30 years younger). The animal wrangling that went into the production is fantastic but unfortunately it is about the only reason to sit through the 152 minute movie.
Can Any Adult Sit Through This Film?
dizexpat22 March 2021
Often called the very worst film to ever be nominated for Best Picture I recall watching this film when I was five years old.
It must have had something for me at that age. I recently tried re-watching it. I made it through 40 minutes before saying "I can't do this to myself. Life's too short!"
Even the film's one excuse for its existence, the Oscar-winning song "Talk to the Animals" isn't really a great song. But it's better than anything else the film has to offer.
Today I think its sole purpose would be as punishment for unruly children.
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