Not even a decent performance from Richard Attenborough can save this disappointing production.
Comment
05/12/08
Doctor Dolittle (1967)
28 %
Reviews Counted: 18 Fresh: 5 Rotten:13 Average Rating: 4.3/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 32 mins
Synopsis: A musical about an English doctor who becomes disillusioned with human beings and travels off to commune with the birds and the beasts. After learning 468 animal languages, he sets off to find the mythical Great Pink Sea Snail. Based on Hugh Lofting's stories from the 20's. Academy Award... [More]
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Starring: Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, Peter Bull, William Dix
Reviews
1 - 18 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Top Critic
Doctor Dolittle might be a little woolly at times but it's impossible not to be impressed by Rex Harrison and his marvellous menagerie.
05/12/08
Top Critic
[It] almost bankrupted the studio when audiences stayed away in droves. In retrospect, it's not hard to see why.
01/26/06
Top Critic
Leslie Bricusse's adaptation retains the delightful aspects while taking considerable liberty with the plot. His music and lyrics, while containing no smash hits, are admirably suited to the scenario.
05/12/08
Top Critic
It's so clumsy and pounding that taking a child to it might be grounds for a visit from family services.
05/12/08
The music is not exceptional, the rendering of the songs lacks variety, and the pace, under Richard Fleischer's direction, is slow and without surprise. Indeed, toward the end it is perfunctory. Things happen mechanically.
05/09/05
Top Critic
The lush sets and presentation are a big disconnect with the silly story, but that ultimately turns out to be part of the joy of the movie.
04/17/04
Unfortunately -- even as escapist fare -- it's a failure due to its lifeless, meandering plot, and characters.
01/22/02
1 - 18 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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