Doctor Dolittle

Doctor Dolittle-480P

Doctor Dolittle-720P

Doctor Dolittle-360P

Doctor Dolittle-480P

Doctor Dolittle-720P

Doctor Dolittle-360P

Movies that lost enormous amounts of money are often regarded as bad films, when often this is not the case. It's pretty easy to see why audiences who flocked to see 2001 and Rosemary's Baby did not take to Dr. Dolittle, but it is is a delightful film - I actually prefer it to My Fair Lady, and I like the songs better too. Of course my judgment is probably clouded by nostalgia (I watched this many times on video as a kid) but I still feel the film is unfairly maligned. It is a beautiful old-world adventure that hearkens back to a time that does not exist anymore. Rex Harrison is completely charming, the animals are all adorable, and Richard Attenborough's brief appearance is perhaps my favorite cameo of all time.

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......

I saw this one as a kid (in my 40's now.) Never forgot it. It really stayed with me. I've recently spent a small fortune on big screen musical extravaganzas on DVD and this one was especially enjoyable. First of all, the message at the heart of the story is one of simple kindness, which speaks of a gentler time that I think we all long to return to. Today's entertainment, with it's gratuitous sex and violence and shock-for-the-sake-of-shock value just can't hold a candle to the art that was being expressed in the films of this type and era. It was designed to uplift the human spirit and the commitment to excellence of those involved could not be more evident. The performances are first-rate all around. Attenborough's dancing really brought a smile, Eggar's spunky yet romantic portrayal was right on and Rex Harrison is one of the True Originals that you never tire of watching. I thought Anthony Newley brought the whole story along very well. And the animals! What a clever bunch! I especially enjoyed Polynesia, the Doctor's parrot. She was just a real PAL! In a way it's kind of sad to see what movies have come to in the years hence. But to be able to own this film on DVD and CD makes up for that. I remember when you either got to see it while it was in release at a theater or you just plain missed out, period. (Unless you were lucky enough to catch it on TV. But who could really get involved in the film when it's being chopped up by commercials?) No, it's a wonderful thing that technology has enabled us to be able to have these things at our fingertips now, and in such sterling quality. It's really beautiful. The scene where the boat, the Flounder, is shown on the open sea is so breathtaking. It certainly was a beautiful day when they filmed that scene! That sky is SPECTACULAR. So I can sum all this up by saying this is one wonderful movie with wonderful music and performances and great visuals and heartfelt and uplifting content. Check it out!

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.