Watch Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau

Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau is a 2014 documentary film that chronicles the disastrous production of the 1996 adaptation of H.G. Wells' The Island of Dr. Moreau. The film, directed by David Gregory, features interviews with key cast and crew members, as well as never-before-seen footage and behind-the-scenes footage.

The film starts by introducing director Richard Stanley, who is known for his cult horror films Hardware and Dust Devil. In 1995, Stanley was hired to direct the big-budget adaptation of The Island of Dr. Moreau. The film was to star Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, and David Thewlis, and was set to be a major summer blockbuster.

However, as the documentary reveals, the production quickly became plagued with problems. Brando, who was paid $3.5 million for his role, showed up on set overweight and unprepared, frequently refusing to act or take direction. Kilmer, who had recently come off the success of Batman Forever, was reportedly difficult to work with and clashed with Stanley. The crew was constantly worried about Stanley's mental state, as he became more and more obsessed with the film's themes of genetic manipulation and man's relationship with nature.

The documentary also sheds light on the chaotic setting of the production. The film was shot on location in the remote rainforest of Australia, far away from any major cities or infrastructure. The cast and crew lived in makeshift camps, enduring harsh weather conditions and primitive living conditions. There were reported instances of drug use and extramarital affairs on set. And to make matters worse, tropical storms and natural disasters frequently interrupted filming.

As the months wore on, the production became increasingly disorganized and chaotic. Stanley was eventually fired from the film and replaced by seasoned director John Frankenheimer. However, Frankenheimer was also unable to reign in the unruly cast and crew and struggled to bring continuity to the film. The final product was a critical and commercial failure, with many calling it one of the worst films of the decade.

Lost Soul is a fascinating look behind the scenes of a film production gone horribly wrong. The documentary provides candid interviews with key players, including Stanley himself, who describes his initial excitement for the project and his eventual breakdown on set. The film also sheds light on the sometimes cutthroat politics of Hollywood, with producers and executives more concerned with making money than creating quality content.

Overall, Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau is an engaging and informative documentary that provides insight into the making of one of Hollywood's most infamous films. Through never-before-seen footage and frank interviews, the film tells the story of a production that spiraled out of control, ultimately resulting in a cinematic disaster.

Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.