The Day of the Dolphin (1973)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers:

Robert Merle (novel)
Buck Henry (writer)

Release Date:

31 July 1974 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

Unwittingly He Trained a Dolphin to Kill the President of the United States

Plot:

Dr Jake Terrell, who has been training a pair of dolphins for many years, has had a breakthrough. He...

Plot Keywords:

Assassination | Dolphin | Talking Animal | Exploding Boat | Scientist

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 nominations

Cast

George C. Scott	...	Dr. Jake Terrell
Trish Van Devere	...	Maggie Terrell
Paul Sorvino	...	Curtis Mahoney
Fritz Weaver	...	Harold DeMilo
Jon Korkes	...	David
Edward Herrmann	...	Mike
Leslie Charleson	...	Maryanne
John David Carson	...	Larry
Victoria Racimo	...	Lana
John Dehner	...	Wallingford
Severn Darden	...	Schwinn
William Roerick	...	Dunhill
Elizabeth Wilson	...	Mrs. Rome
Phyllis Davis	...	Receptionist
Pat Zurica	...	First Mate

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Certification:

West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-12 | Netherlands:12 | Sweden:11 | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp

Company:

AVCO Embassy Pictures

Trivia:

Roman Polanski was originally supposed to direct the movie. He was in England scouting locations for the movie when his wife Sharon Tate was killed by the Manson Family.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror XI (#12.1)" (2000)

Music by Georges Delerue

Georges Delerue was an underrated composer who created some of the most beautiful scores I've ever heard in films. I'm sure he was appreciated much more in his native France.

"The Day of the Dophin" features a haunting yet simplistic score that reflects the grace and beauty of the dolphins that are central to the story. A small string orchestra and the striking use of solo oboe or trumpet is all that is needed. The music has a Vivaldi like feel to it especially in the fast sections.

Mr. Delerue's scores are understated as he knew well that film music should enhance and not dominate a particular scene. What makes his music especially enjoyable is that it is able to stand on its own and is very listenable away from the movie.

At one time there was a soundtrack album available of this score but I don't think you could find it now. The film is not even available on DVD or VHS. It appears on AMC from time to time and if you do catch it, make sure you listen to the end title music. Absolutely gorgeous.

Other great scores by Georges Delerue include "Steel Magnolias", "Anne of a Thousand Days" and "A Man For All Seasons".