Day of the Dolphin, The

Day of the Dolphin, The

About

The best line in the Henry screenplay is 'Fa, Ma, Pa', spoken by dolphins, Henry himself providing their voices. The dolphins have been taught to speak by marine biologist Scott, researching the creatures off the Florida coast, when he discovers that they are being used in a plan to blow up the President's yacht. He decides to foil the plot. This ecological conspiracy thriller, directed clinically by Nichols, with an opening stolen from Patton (1970), for which Scott won a Best Actor Oscar, was a hugely expensive misfire.

Cast & Connections

Actor: George C Scott, Fritz Weaver, Paul Sorvino, Jon Korkes, Trish Van Devere, Edward Herrmann
Director: Mike Nichols
Writer: Buck Henry, Robert Merle
Producer: Robert E Relyea
Photographer: William A Fraker

In a nutshell

Scott should have gained another Oscar here, for managing to keep a straight face.

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