This classic film based on the equally classic H.G. Wells tale of the same name opens with an homage to the classic Hitchcock film "Lifeboat." Shipwreck victim Andrew Braddock (Michael York) and two fellow crew members are adrift in a lifeboat; an opening scene establishes the great extent to which their situation is dire.
The remaining two man subsequently essentially crash on the doctor's isle, where it immediately becomes apparent that they are in a hostile environment. Braddock soon finds himself the guest of the titular madman with an evil mind (Burt Lancaster) and Maria (Barbara Carrera), the alluring companion of that mad scientist.
Andrew soon learns of the efforts of the not-so-good doctor to combine human and animal DNA to make true hybrids. This leads to encountering the partially successful attempts who have their own jungle society (complete with a threat of Hell) and consider their creator their deity.
The drama amps up when out hero finds himself a unwilling human guinea pig in these experiments. This leads to mayhem that greatly enhances the already strong religious aspects regarding the work of Moreau. The essay "The Island of Dr. Moreau as Theological Grotesque" in a booklet that the DVD includes expands on these themes.
The aforementioned elements of genetic engineering and related aspect of Moreau as God (as well as copious other religious symbolism) make "Moreau" a film with excellent easily digestible death in addition to plenty of jungle-related peril to enter viewers of all ages.
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