George C. Scott has taught a pair of dolphins to understand and speak English. But he didn't realize the foundation funding him is actually a covert government agency. Now the agency has taken the two dolphins and plans to use them as assassins. Okay, this all sounds just ridiculous I know but it's actually pretty good. It's directed by Mike Nichols, which is somewhat surprising, as he is not well-known for sci-fi or thrillers. It's written by Buck Henry, who is more known for comedies. Despite stepping out of their respective comfort zones, I think both do a fine job. The cast is good. The story is very interesting. The dolphin scenes are wonderful. Perhaps it's a little giggle-worthy at times but ultimately it's a smart, entertaining film that's pretty unique.
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utgard1424 July 2014
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preppy-331 May 2006George C. Scott stars as a scientist who has trained dolphins to speak and understand English. Naturally some bad guys find out and want to use the dolphins in an assassination attempt.
One of the many ecological "message" films of the 1970s. The plot is, technically, pretty silly but they pull it off. It has a great director (Mike Nichols) and Scott and Trish Van Devere are very good--but this just misses the mark. It's not a BAD movie just not a great one and I personally had some trouble taking it seriously. It was supposed to be a big hit and cost quite a bit to make. Unfortunately it was a HUGE bomb and disappeared quickly. That's too bad because it's actually pretty good. It's well done and the voices of the dolphins are (at first) frightening but you get used to them. Also it does have an ending which had me crying. I defy anyone to sit through that and not be moved.
So, despite the scientific improbabilities, a pretty good movie that deserves a wider recognition. -
screenman6 February 2009Here's a creature feature from the early 1970's.
George C Scott plays Dr Jake Terrell, a marine biologist who has taught a couple of dolphins to speak and understand English. It's a child's vocabulary with a pidgin dialect to suit their peculiar enunciation. Much of the movie entails his developing relationship with the animals and their slowly-dawning grasp of what is being asked. It's a bit like 'My Fair Lady', but with fins instead of songs.
Soon the wrong kind of people hear about their achievements. It's 1973, so we're still talking cold-war spies and subterfuge, here. The good doctor realises that the animals are destined to pass from his custody. Very likely they'll be used as living torpedoes or something. There's only one option: to let them go.
This movie ran the risk of being an absolute howl, but was saved from disaster by George C Scott. Yep; that's the same GCS who blew the silver screen to atoms with his towering portrayal of General Patton in 'Lust For Glory'. Here he is, with his face looking like it's been ground from granite, and a voice that sounds like the machine used for the task. To observe him betray moments of stricken regret is truly touching to see, all the more so for his typical appearance of such unshakable gravitas. He carries this movie on his shoulders. Which is just as well, because it couldn't otherwise stand on its own feet.
Pretty Trish Van Der Vere plays his young 'trophy' wife, and brings nothing to the movie than the obvious. And the dolphins are, of course, as believable as you want them to be. The script is surprisingly intelligent. There's a memorable sentimental/romantic theme. And although there's no tiresome kids, it's the sort of feature they'll enjoy. Happily, there's also no bad language, no explicit sex and no graphic violence, making it great family viewing.
The final parting is about as sad as any you will see in a movie, made all the more so by Scott's excellent portrayal of suppressed grief and the animals' incomprehension. You may laugh, but you'll feel guilty at the same time.
Not much in the way of a sci-fi movie, hokum from the standpoint of wildlife and environment, but still a worthy vehicle for George C Scott's amazing talent. Recommended for that if for no other reason. -
MooeyG-224 September 1999I agree with the assessment that the movie points out how we, as caretakers of the Earth, tend to abusiveness and misunderstanding. I agree also that it is a hokey telling of that theme, but still effective. I might venture that a contributing factor in its effectiveness is the beautiful music created by George Delerue. It is lilting and graceful, moving through the air the way the dolphins move through the water. I was very affected at the end of this film.
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bkoganbing1 March 2019With some generous financial backing marine biologist George C. Scott has trained two dolphins to actually speak some rudimentary English. The dolphins are Alpha and Beta and they refer to Scott and wife Trish Van Devere as Ma and Pa. To all intents and purposes they are parents of the porpoises.
Pure scientist Scott as he describes himself has never given a thought as to his backers and their generous financial backing. But when he and Van Devere are lured off the island they work on and Alpha and Beta are taken, it's up to Scott to find them as he considers them as like his children.
Scott usually the most intense of actors is rather subdued in his part here. He has trouble comprehending why anyone would want to put such creatures in harm's way. Make no mistake it's in harm's way they are going.
I couldn't quite figure out Paul Sorvino's role in this film. He's first with the bad guys and then defects and gives Scott a voice of common sense that he desperately needs.
The dolphins are the real show, the true innocents in a corrupt world. To an extent they mirror their ma and pa.
The Day Of The Dolphin got Oscar nominations for sound and for the music score. It's an interesting and absorbing film even today. -
szovati8 April 2020When it comes to people's talk about greatest actors, Brando, Pacino & Deniro are always the immediate names. As much as I like them, I have to say they come after both George C Scott & Clint Eastwood in terms of consistent entertainment. No two actors have given us more to enjoy whether it is by acting or directing. In their case, for Scott, he stayed with the times and always remained relevant. He didn't stay stuck in black and white with The Hustler and Dr Strangelove. He moved on to Patton, this film, The Hospital, The Changeling & The Exorcist 3 among others. I've yet to see a terrible performance or film he was involved in. This is a great 'summer film' filled with espionage, dolphins and a very young Paul Sorvino (from Goodfellas). It's odd, original, different but interesting. The ending is pretty sad - the Earned trust & bond that is broken between man and animal. I hope you enjoy this film as much as I have.
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benoit-robin9 January 2022The adaptation is quite OK, of course nerfed to fit into two hours run time, and with much less political aspects of government involvement. But the premise is well exposed in a solid scenario, and the characters are relatable and well played.
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SnoopyStyle17 April 2021Jake Terrell (George C. Scott) and his wife Maggie are trying to train their dolphin Alpha "Fa" to communicate in English. They bring in a female dolphin for companionship. The problem is that the foundation funding the research has different objectives for the dolphins.
Despite the weirdness of talking broken English with a dolphin, I try to take this movie seriously on its own level. It is certainly sincere in creating this world and its people. I appreciate the ultimate message. The problem is that I don't get why the foundation is funding the dolphin to talk English. It makes no sense. They don't need to discuss philosophy with the dolphins. They just need it to carry stuff. Ultimately, the movie does not make sense in its central premise. -
jzappa13 July 2011Marine biology scientist Dr. Jake Terrell, his wife Maggie and a crew of ecologists for the last few years have been financed by an organization to study confined dolphins on a distant Florida island. They've conditioned a male and a female dolphin to say "fa," "ma," "pa" and other basic vocabulary, and to comprehend English sufficiently enough to have simple dialogue. But Alpha can't be trained to think in English. He can merely mimic, until Jake teaches him a lesson about loss. He introduces a female dolphin, Beta, watches Alpha fall for her, then splits them up until Alpha can demand her, in English. The wholesale sequence showing Alpha swimming frantically around, thrashing his tail on the enclosure that divides them, is heartrending.
Jake is like the classic father of the baby-boom bracket, unwavering in teaching valuable lessons even when he feels his child's anguish, in this case a dolphin who loves him like a father. When Alpha at last begs for Beta by name, it's an intensely gratifying moment, exemplifying the identity-related idea of language as a conciliation intuited out of loss. And, much to our grief, Alpha is now disposed to all kinds of anthropomorphic cognizant suffering.
And naturally, trouble lies ahead in the form of a thriller plot true to the pinnacle era of conspiracies and rogue government. Initially, a young Paul Sorvino's slippery pollster blackmails his way onto Dr. Terrell's island, and before long, a sinister regime faction is revealed to intend to use the newfound capacity for communication in these dolphins to their advantage by abducting them for function in a presidential assassination, of all things.
In training Alpha and Beta to verbalize, Jake destines them for humanity, initiating them into ceaseless yearning and unlocking the floodgates to advantage being taken of them. In due course, with the purpose of thwarting Alpha and Beta more exploitation, Jake must make a decision that is inconceivable to the living, beating heart. Pure as they are, dolphins comprehend mere absolutes. How can you make a dolphin understand not only that humans can be both good and bad, tell lies and kill their own, but that rejection, abandonment can still mean undying love, ultimate sacrifice? "Men are bad," he tells them, hardly suppressing his utterly irreparable heartbreak, and ours. "All men bad." -
implaxis14 May 2020The barest semblance of a plot, which doesn't actually kick in until about 3/4 of the way through the movie. Otherwise, it's training a talking dolphin. I kind of felt bad for George C. Scott having to have entire dialogues with a dolphin, with one syllable words. But he pulls it off admirably.
Some very nice cinematography and something about the film stock makes me think it was shot by the same person who did Jaws. -
You may think that the best-loved, most memorable thing about this minor effort are the dolphin protagonists, but it's the lovely music score by Georges Delerue owning up in that category. This is actually quite a decent cinematic version of a really stupid bestseller of the times, so if you think this film is ludicrous, don't even bother with the book. Maudlin is the term I'd use to describe those moved by the dolphin antics in this lackluster thriller, because the minute they start "Fa La La'ing", keeping a straight face becomes quite difficult; my praise to George C. Scott for managing that so well! This one is now available on DVD from Image Entertainment and they've delivered a wonderful anamorphic widescreen print, which wisely delivers the original 3-track stereophonic sound of the original theatrical prints and beautifully preserves composer Delerue's work.
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thinker169123 April 2009Throughout the motion picture business there is many a thespian who truly believes in their role. Some more than others and is why a few become exceptional. The original script called " The Day of The Dolphin " was delivered to several actors, prior to the film's inception. When the principal actor read the interesting dialog between himself and his subject called Alpha, he was not only intrigued, but anxious to begin. The story centers around a Research Scientist named Dr. Jake Terrell (George C. Scott) and his wife Maggie. (Trish Van Devere) Their secret island project concerns a special Dolphin, whom they have raised since birth. In an amazing feat of Phonetic science, laboring on the cutting edge and years of patience instruction, they have taught their unique Dolphin to speak English. However, their financial benefactors are not men with lofty ideals like Dr. Terrell or his staff. Indeed their primary goal is to use the amazing oceanic mammal to swim underwater undetected to a secured location where the President of the U.S. is vacationing and eliminate the Chief Executive. Although it's Harold DeMilo (Fritz Weaver) the C.E.O. of the funding institute who plans on subverting Dr. Terrell's innovative project, it's a strange, mysterious and uninvited visitor, Curtis Mahoney (Paul Sorvino) whom they suspect is behind the theft of their special Dolphin and a midnight murder. Trust is not inherent between the characters, indeed the audience is in for a surprise or two. However it's this very element which gives the film it's dramatic texture. The cast is incredible and delivers a dynamite performance which as a result allows this film to become a Classic. Excellent movie. ****
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In my opinion (for what it's worth), one of the greatest actors of the second half of the 20th century was George C. Scott. Despite not being a handsome man, he managed to establish himself as a first-rate actor...and Oscar-winning one at that. Well, "The Day of the Dolphin" is proof that even a great actor can make a terrible film...and it really is pretty terrible.
The plot is insane if you think about it. A scientist (Scott) has been training dolphins and has even taught them to talk and think. This might be seen as a wonderful thing...but the folks funding the research plan on using his dolphins for evil So it's up to the remaining dolphin and the scientist to try to stop this.
An evil plot to use dolphins as assassins. Doesn't this pretty much say it all?! A dumb film and one which wastes a great actor's talents. Good for a laugh....but not much else. -
Bob-57111 August 1999Even though starring the great George C Scott this film is a bit of a non-starter. However I have to admit that it is the only film that I have seen in all of my 40 yrs that has managed to reduce me to tears. I challenge anyone to watch the final scenes and not be at least a little moved. Although the story is very simple and does little to encourage Scott-or any of the cast- to 'act their heart out', it shows both humans and dolphins as they are. Humans as sly and cunning and dolphins as naive and trusting, and this is what hurts at the end of the film, when................. Well why spoil it, it may be shown on t.v again, one day.
If anyone knows how I might get a copy of the film (for my kid's-honest), please could they contact me through the e-mail supplied. Ta Ta. (Or is that 'Ka Ka'?) Bob O'Sullivan. Southend-on-Sea, England. -
wes-connors3 July 2014In the picturesque Florida Keys, ambitious and brilliant marine biologist George C. Scott (as Jake Terrell) teaches a dolphin to speak English. Their vocabulary includes use and meaning of words like "shark", "love" and "liar". It does not comprehend the hypothetical "if". As he is assisted by beautifully bronzed wife Trish Van Devere (as Maggie), Mr. Scott feels the dolphin Alpha (aka "Fa") would be happier and more productive with a mate. Consequently, the researchers are joined by Beta (aka "Bea"). Sexually gratified, the dolphin couple is very happy. But there is an adjustment period, while the new dolphin assimilates into the family. They call Scott and his wife "Pa" and "Ma" with childlike affection. When sneaky humans like Paul Sorvino (as Curtis Mahoney) are informed about Scott's smart dolphins, we must consider using them in a nefarious plot...
This is a strange collaboration between director Mike Nichols, actor Scott and writer Buck Henry. It is nicely staged, and lovingly photographed by William Fraker. Among many other classics, Mr. Fraker held the cameras for Roman Polanski's "Rosemary's Baby" (1968). Mr. Polanski was slated to direct "The Day of the Dolphin" in 1969, but left after the murder of his wife Sharon Tate and others by the (Charles) "Manson family"...
The musical soundtrack, by Georges Delerue, is another strength. However, the story doesn't really come across very well. This is strange because the concept and evil plot are essentially good. By now, dolphins may actually be communicating with humans; probably, there are words and meaning they understand. It might have been more believable if Scott and his team understood their sounds, but having them "speak" is easier. While the concept is fine, the sound and demeanor of the dolphins is silly (rather than childlike, if that was the intention). Additionally, the manner in which dastardly characters arrive and execute their nasty plan is wearisome and unexciting...
Interestingly, the Scotts kept loyal and attractive young assistant John David Carson (as Larry) for their next film project, "The Savage Is Loose" (1974), which turned the camera on human mating.
***** The Day of the Dolphin (12/19/73) Mike Nichols ~ George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Paul Sorvino, John David Carson -
Etherdave22 June 2004George C. Scott stars as a marine biologist who has taught two dolphins to communicate with humans in english. His project attracts the notice of a shadowy corporate sponsor, who then kidnaps the dolphins to perform an assassination-at-sea. The film is divided in two parts, both exploring the ethics of man's meddling with nature. Stunning photography, excellent supporting cast, superlative effort from Scott, whose deep personal investment in the film's subject is easily sensed.
I saw this film in the theater in 1973 and thought it was one of the best I'd ever seen. I wasn't expecting a period action film or a potboiler-thriller and was pleasantly surprised to get neither. This is a thinking person's film, a modern-day Frankenstein which is made even more tragic because of the creator's love for what he has created. The conclusion of this film is uncompromising, and calls into question all animal experimentation. One of the best, and most important films to come out in my lifetime. See it. -
JohnSeal11 December 1999They're trying to kill the president (again!) and this time they're using dolphins. No kidding. Whoever thought that getting Buck Henry and Mike Nichols together to make an action film hopefully lost their job, as The Day of the Dolphin is silly and boring, to boot. Dolphins were all the rage in the seventies (they're really intelligent, they can read minds, they can talk) and now that most of those theories have been debunked we're left with this curio.
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greene5153 May 2011George C. Scott plays Dr Jake Terrell, who has been training a pair of dolphins for many years, has had a breakthrough. He has taught his dolphins to speak but they have a limited vocabulary.
the dolphins are abducted by some sinister government agency who want to use the mammals in an assassination attempt. what follows is a beautifully shot race against time to thwart the attempt.
'The Day of The Dolphin' is nothing short of brilliant in it's acting, it features some excellent cinematography by William Fraker, the underwater scenes are excellently lensed ,it is essential to see this in it's original aspect ratio.
it is also nothing short of amazing as when one looks at this film which is thirty seven years young, it is all filmed for 'Real' if this was remade today there would be an over reliance on rubbish digital animation to depict the leaping and talking Dolphins. -
moonspinner5527 June 2017Zoologist George C. Scott, working on a foundation grant to study the behavior of dolphins, has trained two dolphins born in captivity to speak in a parrot-like version of English; after they're stolen, Scott has an idea who's behind it, but not what the ramifications are. Screenwriter Buck Henry (of all people), adapting Robert Merle's novel, doesn't create human characters to interest us, and director Mike Nichols apparently didn't encourage him to do so. What we're left with is beautiful footage of the dolphins (handsomely photographed by cinematographer William A. Fraker) working against a very contrived plot about the inescapable corruption of the species. It might have worked on a "Flipper"/family movie level had Nichols only picked up the pace a bit. The film is curiously austere and blandly smooth, with only a flicker of suspense in its plotting but with no interest coming from the actors. *1/2 from ****
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gagewyn12 February 2000Aside from the idea of using talking dolphins to kill the president, this is a well done and sensitive movie. The idea of a 70Õs movie about dolphins killing the president appealed to me in a cheesy=good sort of way. The subplot about the assassination was indeed humorous, but was not the point of the movie and is only a device to bring out the human dolphin relationships. The real focus of the film is on the relationships between the dolphins, each other, and the trainers.
The major problem that I had with this movie was rather arbitrary. The dolphins sound a bit like Furbies, which gives the sensitive moments a slight tinge of absurdity. And of course there was the presidential assassination plot. Given the low budget the president was an ambitious target-to well protected. Oh well pretend that they are trying to kill some independently wealthy minor drug lord or senator or someone and it makes sense.
In showing human-dolphin relationships and a theme of innocence this movie is almost perfect. It backs off at the right times to keep from being to mushy (ex. Pa doesnÕt jump in the water and hug the dolphins at the end) At the same time the relationship is very sensitive and nonwithdrawn. The whiting out bit at the end is the sort of mushy device that usually annoys me, but in this case it didnÕt. This film balances between showing genuine caring and going to far to a comical degree.
My advice is to see this if you like animals, even if you are the sort of person who doesnÕt like cute animal movies. This is an extremely well done sensitive film about trust. -
cricketbat6 August 2018The Day of the Dolphin is about talking dolphins that are trained to kill and yes, it's as dumb as it sounds. This movie is slow, poorly written and the acting is ridiculous. Plus, the dolphin voice sounds like a demented Furby. Don't watch this movie unless you're with a large group of funny friends that have an hour and a half to kill.
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ali13kat15 December 2005Don't shy away from this film just because it isn't an action film. It does advance at a very slow pace, and is often overlooked because of this . . . unfairly. This film is truly designed for the animal lover. Anyone who has not shared a profound relationship with an animal will probably have a difficult time relating to this film. It is a slow paced, and beautifully scored experience for a more sophisticated movie lover. George C. Scott delivers his usual, inspiring and powerful performance as the dolphin's trainer. The filming of the dolphin's, alone, makes this film worth watching. Bring along a box of tissues, and don't miss it if you love the art of movie making.
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BloodTheTelepathicDog21 April 2011If it weren't for Bogart and Bacall, Scott and Van Devere would be my all-time favorite acting couple. The two thespians are masters of their craft and have the uncanny knack of making an absurd motion picture tolerable by their acting abilities. The Day of the Dolphin is a perfect case in point.
This absurd film focuses on an isolated marine research center operated by demanding, anti-social marine biologist/linguist expert Dr. Terrell (Scott) and his wife Maggie (Van Devere). They have effectively taught a dolphin named Alpha how to communicate in English. Once news of this slips out a secret, evil government agency wants the dolphins in order to assassinate an unpopular president. The dolphins will be outfitted with mines on their heads in order to swim undetected and plant said mines on the president's ship. Yes, the plot is that absurd.
STORY: $ (The screenplay is terrible--simply put. This is supposed to be a thriller but there is a noticeable lack of tension throughout the entire film. When we're first introduced to Trish Van Devere's Maggie she is laid up in bed with a wounded leg having had a mishap with Alpha in the tank. This little ordeal is never even discussed the rest of the film, in fact Trish is perfectly fine the next time we see her and she never enters the tank with Alpha the rest of the run time. Also, when George C. Scott gets wise to the assassination plot, his boat runs low on gas and he must turn around and wait, hoping the dolphins don't follow through with their orders. This is a horrible screenplay with weak plot development and characterization).
ACTING: $$$$ (What makes this film watchable are the strong performances by the leads. George C. Scott, who gets my vote for the greatest actor ever, shines as a cantankerous scientist who just wants to be left alone to do his research. He brings far more depth to this character than most actors could bring. Paul Sorvino shines as a shady freelance writer who seems to know more than he lets on. Trish Van Devere, who is an exceptional actress when given time to showcase her skills, has little to do because the screenwriter couldn't flesh out her character. All she is given is clichéd dialogue to set-up George C. Scott's characterization. Fritz Weaver is fine as George's financial backer and Edward Herrmann of LOST BOYS fame is fine in an early role. John David Carosn and Victoria Racimo do a solid job as youthful help at Scott's marine sanctuary).
SEXUALITY: None -
Our family hadn't seen this movie for a long time and so I decided to get my taped copy out (aired on Showtime in 1989) and was surprised to see the excellent film quality -- even though the tape was recorded in SLP. We enjoyed the movie very much. The beginning is a little slow but rest of the movie more than makes up for it. I loved the dolphins, I wish I knew more about how they made the movie -- I was looking for any trivia here at IMDb.com but didn't find any. I think children would really love the parts that involve the dolphins interacting with the "owner"/ humans (and fascinating) but this movie is NOT for children as there is violence toward humans and dolphin as well and it would be frightening for young ones. I feel it has a lot of different things to like. I can't say more without spoiling the story but I wish there was closed captioning for some of the dialog. We viewed this in Full Screen but the 2003 & 2006 DVD releases come in Wide Screen: 2.35:1 aspect ratio and I am sure the beautiful scenery benefits by it.
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Chance_Boudreaux196 May 2018This is just a whole lot of nothing. When you see the title and the premise you think this is going to be the typical so bad it's good movie but then you look at the talent involved and you think this might be a pretty decent cheesy movie. But it's neither of those, it's one of the most dull films I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing, the plot moves along without any excitement whatsoever and the whole thing feels like it's 2 and a half hours long. The acting is ok, the camerawork is fine but that's about it. The characters, plot and premise are so awful and boring you won't care about anything that happens in this movie. It just makes me think that everyone involved gave up making this anything more than passable. Can't recommend this to anyone, it's the worst kind of film there is - neither good nor truly bad, it just exists.