After watching this movie yesterday, and, then reading all of the poor reviews and negative online information about it...I just cannot believe it!?!?This movie, to me, has a wonderful cast; storyline; music; animal choreography; scenery; props; settings; etc...everything there is to like about a movie, and nothing to dislike. Yet, it was a commercial and critical failure!?!? I realize that this movie went over-budget; had many mishaps while in production; took a bath at the box office and with its merchandise; but, I feel the end result was a great children's classic movie.Personally, I believe that it did so poorly was because this movie is a bit too complex for the young audience it was made to target; and, it is too silly for teens and adults. Also, musicals were on their way out at this time. In 1967, teens wanted to hear The Rolling Stones and The Beatles sing, not, Rex Harrison and Anthony Newly; whereas, most parents (adults in general) can understand someone talking to a horse or a cat, but, talking to a snail or a flea!?!?If this movie was made twenty or more years earlier (somewhere in between "The Wizard Of Oz" and "Carousel"), it would have received much better reviews and been a money-maker. It's the same as when "Pennies From Heaven" was made in 1981, it bombed, sadly...it was out-of-style and people just didn't get it. Then, again, "Fantasia" (1940) was even panned by many musicians claiming "it (robbed) the musical pieces of their integrity."Someone always has something bad to write or say about most anything, however, I happen to like musicals; plus, with this movie being a childhood favorite of mine, maybe I'm being a tad too positively-biased, but...I love it!

I loved this film as a kid. I thought it was magical and beautiful. Seeing it again, I wasn't so impressed. Granted I do not hate it as it does have its charms, but the film also does have glaring flaws that prevent it from being anymore enjoyable. The film does look colourful, with beautiful costumes, scenery and photography, the music and songs are gorgeous and memorable and Rex Harrison's lead performance is superb. I also liked the animals, they were cute and charming and actually much more likable than the human characters.Conversely, while the dialogue has its witty moments, it can have a tendency to be slushy and unfunny. The story is also very slight and poorly paced and the direction is a little too relaxed. Harrison excepted, I wasn't impressed with the other acting. Anthony Newley is very annoying and dull, while Samantha Eggar while beautiful is underused and has no chemistry with her co-stars. Overall, a big disappointment despite its charms. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Forget the cynical cold hearted versions by Eddie Murphy, this is the real thing. The cast are fabulous especially the great Anthony Newly who stands out in a great cast.Newly was a genius and a wonderful performer especially on stage and its great that the Newly magic lives on film. His opening number is a tour de force. Rex Harrison is wonderful and who cares if he is not much different from Higgins. The talk to the animals number is great.It is one of many movies that were under valued at the time of their release. It probably had much to do with people expecting another My Fair Lady. The score of the film is great. The film is a bit long but its still superb. THe film has a great message and promotes a love of animals. Samantha Eggar is great and looks wonderful. The effects are remarkable. I love that giant snail and the great moth. The animals themselves are simply delightful and the film exudes great charm and warmth. The Richard Attenborough number is a real winner and the film is great to look at. The scenery by the way is lovely. What a pounding this fine film got from critics.Not fair.. it should be seen on the big screen but I doubt there would be many brave enough to revive it.

Firstly, let me say that I am a sucker for any epic made at Fox between about 1950 and 1977. During this period, artists such as Bernard Herrmann, John Williams, Richard LaSalle, L.B Abbott, Howard Lydecker, Irwin Allen, etc would give the studio a special identity it no longer has today. Maybe my love of Fox has blinded me of the various problems others have seen in Doctor Dolittle (1967)? Or maybe "the movie that almost killed Fox" title has partly blinded some of the greatness of Dolittle? Is it un-cool for some movie-fans to call Dolittle a classic? Well, I have got news for you, it is a classic, even better than The Wizard Of Oz (1939) in fact.Things in Dolittle would appear in 1960s Fox TV shows. When that giant whale first appears in the sea it resembles the whale seen in an episode of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea. The inside of the giant snail would later be used in an episode of Land Of The Giants. When the ship sails in the storm it looks like an L.B. Abbott warm up for his Poseidon Adventure (1972) miniature effects. Was that island set used in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea? And so it goes. But it takes more than special effects to make a movie really special, yes, this film has great songs from Anthony Newley.