Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Tayyab Torres Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Roxie The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

moonspinner55 Zoologist 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. ** from ****

Kieran Green George 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.

thinker1691 Throughout 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. ****

paulabb One of my favorite films that really brings out your emotions especially in the end also accompanied with a great musical score. One of George C. Scott's many great portrayals and just simply beautiful.