Doctor Dolittle Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A veterinarian becomes a furry hero when he sails off to find a giant snail, angering the British legal system and inspiring a whale to rearrange geography.

🍿 Doctor Dolittle: Detailed Plot Synopsis

From Human Doctor to Animal Communicator

Dr. John Dolittle, initially a physician for humans, finds a deeper connection with animals. With the help of his parrot, Polynesia, he learns to communicate in various animal languages. This transition alienates his human patients but opens a new world of understanding and care for the animal kingdom. He is soon ostracized and accused of being mad.

The Quest for the Great Pink Sea Snail

Driven by his passion for animals, Dr. Dolittle embarks on a journey to find the mythical Great Pink Sea Snail. Accompanied by his friends Matthew Mugg and Tommy Stubbins, and later joined by Emma Fairfax, they face various challenges and adventures along the way. This journey is fraught with difficulties in getting started, from accusations of insanity to trouble raising funding.

Sea-Star Island and Cultural Encounters

The voyage leads them to Sea-Star Island, a floating island inhabited by both animals and a unique tribe of people. Here, Dr. Dolittle encounters William Shakespeare the Tenth, the tribe’s leader, showcasing the islanders’ peculiar blend of savagery and civilization. A storm blows the island off course and into the cold.

Whale, Snail, and a Flight Home

After helping the island return to its original location with the help of a blue whale, Dr. Dolittle finally meets the Great Pink Sea Snail, who helps transport his companions back to England. However, Dr. Dolittle initially decides to stay on the island. However, news comes to the island that all the animals of England have gone on strike until Dolittle is allowed home.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dr. John Dolittle (Rex Harrison): A veterinarian who abandons human patients to communicate with and care for animals, embarking on a quest to find the Great Pink Sea Snail.
• Emma Fairfax (Samantha Eggar): A skeptical woman who initially opposes Dr. Dolittle but eventually joins his expedition and develops a romantic interest in him.
• Matthew Mugg (Anthony Newley): Dr. Dolittle’s loyal friend and companion, an Irish fishmonger who supports the doctor’s unusual pursuits and harbors a crush on Emma.
• Tommy Stubbins (William Dix): A young boy and friend of Matthew who becomes Dr. Dolittle’s apprentice and joins him on his adventures.
• General Bellowes (Peter Bull): A pompous magistrate and Emma’s uncle, who is skeptical of Dr. Dolittle and becomes an antagonist.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Dr. Dolittle: “I do not understand the human race/Has so little love for creatures with a different face.” – This quote encapsulates Dr. Dolittle’s empathy for animals and his alienation from human society.
• Dr. Dolittle: “Treating animals like people is no madness or disgrace./I do not understand the human race.” – This highlights his belief that animals deserve respect and understanding, equal to humans.
• Dr. Dolittle: “I make it a policy not to eat my friends.” – This shows his ethical stance against eating animals, reflecting his close bond with them.
• Dr. Dolittle: “When you say ‘He can speak crab and pelican’, they’ll say ‘Like hell he can!’” – This quote acknowledges the skepticism and disbelief Dolittle faces due to his unique ability.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $9,000,000
• Worldwide Gross: $10,000,000

💥 Doctor Dolittle Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I grew up with this movie, and yeah, it’s kinda long. But Rex Harrison is amazing as Doctor Dolittle. I loved the animals, especially the Pushmi-Pullyu! The songs get stuck in your head for days. I remember being a kid and just wanting to talk to animals just like him! It’s just pure, silly fun. Maybe it’s nostalgia, but it’s a total comfort movie for me.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic musicals”
  • “Animal lovers”
  • “Viewers interested in family-friendly adventures”
  • “Those who appreciate whimsical and imaginative storytelling”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some scenes may depict animals in distress (though ultimately unharmed)”
  • “Mild peril and fantasy violence”
  • “Potentially dated cultural representations (use discretion)”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A lavish but bloated musical that struggles to find its footing. While the production design is impressive, the film’s length and meandering plot ultimately undermine its charm.
• The New York Times: “Despite Rex Harrison’s best efforts, ‘Doctor Dolittle’ is a tedious and uninspired adaptation. The songs are forgettable, and the story lacks the whimsy and heart of the original books.
• ScreenDaily: “Rex Harrison shines as the animal communicating veterinarian but the movie meanders aimlessly from one adventure to another. The musical numbers lack the catchy energy to keep a viewer invested until the end.

Audience Reactions

The original Rex Harrison version remains a charming family classic despite some flaws.: Rex Harrison’s portrayal of Dr. Dolittle is considered the definitive version by many.

A family movie that is far better than the Eddie Murphy reboots.: This film combines music and animals to deliver wholesome entertainment for all ages.

Overall Consensus: A classic musical for kids but a rather weak movie overall. While nostalgic for many, some viewers are turned off by the film’s slow pace, forgettable songs, and nonsensical plot.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Song)- 1968
2. Academy Award (Best Special Visual Effects)- 1968

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rex Harrison initially didn’t want to do the project, and Christopher Plummer was briefly considered for the role.”
• “The film went significantly over budget due to the challenges of working with animals and the extensive location shooting.”
• “Two songs, ‘Where Are The Words’ and ‘Something in Your Smile,’ were cut from the general release version but are available on the soundtrack.”

🖥️ How to Watch Doctor Dolittle?

As a classic film, “Doctor Dolittle” (1967) may be available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video (search for purchase options), and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for possible television broadcasts. Unfortunately, I do not have access to live information, including streaming platform availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Doctor Dolittle, you might like these similar films:

• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968): Both are large-scale, family-friendly musical fantasies from the same era with a whimsical, adventurous spirit.
• The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988): Features a similar sense of imaginative adventure and fantastical storytelling with larger-than-life characters and situations.
• Paddington (2014): Shares the theme of an eccentric character integrating into human society while maintaining unique animal relationships.
• The Jungle Book (1967): A story of a human interacting and communicating with animals.

🛒 Doctor Dolittle Related Products

• Doctor Dolittle [Blu-ray]: Experience the magic of the classic film in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Includes bonus features for a deeper look into the making of the movie.
• Doctor Dolittle (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Relive the magical musical moments with the original soundtrack. Featuring Rex Harrison, Richard Attenborough and Anthony Newly performing Leslie Bricusse’s great songs!
• The Story of Doctor Dolittle: Being the History of His Peculiar Life at Home and Astonishing Adventures in Foreign Parts (Classic Illustrated): A beautiful edition of the original Hugh Lofting book that inspired the movie with vintage illustrations. This is a perfect collector’s item for fans of the Doctor Dolittle franchise.
• Doctor Dolittle Pushmi Pullyu Plush Toy: Bring home this unique character! The toy will make sure people remember this iconic movie.

🎧 Soundtrack

Doctor Dolittle features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Talk to the Animals” – performed by Rex Harrison
• “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It” – performed by Richard Attenborough
• “When I Look in Your Eyes” – performed by Rex Harrison
• “My Friend, The Doctor” – performed by Anthony Newley

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

A DOCTOR discovers he has the POWER to TALK to ANIMALS and his LIFE turns into CHAOS – RECAP

Ever wondered what it would be like if your doctor could talk to animals? This video is a hilarious recap of Dr. Dolittle’s crazy life after he gets that power! Trust me, it’s way more chaotic (and funny) than you’d expect.

Dolittle 2020 Movie Explained in Hindi | The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle Adventure Film in हिन्दी/اردو

Want a quick rundown of Dolittle in Hindi/Urdu? This video breaks down the whole movie, explaining everything from the plot to the ending. Even if you’ve seen it, you might catch something you missed!

✨ Rate