The Day of the Dolphin is a 1973 science fiction thriller loosely based on the acclaimed novel Un Animal Doué de Raison by French author Robert Merle, and adapted for screen by Buck Henry (The Graduate, Get Smart and Catch 22). Director Mike Nichols (The Graduate, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Birdcage) helmed this one starring Hollywood legend George C Scott (Patton, The Changeling and Dr Strangelove), alongside his Changeling co-star Trish Van Devere (Where’s Poppa?, The Hearse and Last Run, once again with George C Scott) and the mighty Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas, Nixon and Repo! The Genetic Opera).

George C Scott stars as Dr Jake Terrell, an expert in the field of dolphin communication. Terrell and his wife Maggie (Van Devere) are conducting research into dolphin linguistics funded by the Franklin Foundation. Terrell is making good headway with his research with one particular dolphin he has named “Alpha” who is slowly and steadily learning to speak English. Once Alpha’s progress slows, Terrell decides to introduce a female dolphin, “Beta” in the hope that this will make Alpha happier and improve his desire to learn. At first this has a negative effect, but once the two are separated again, Alpha begins to talk again. 

The mysterious Franklin Foundation is run by a man called Harold De Milo (Fritz Weaver, Marathon Man, Demon Seed and Creepshow) who when blackmailed by undercover government agent Curtis Mahoney (Sorvino) accedes to allow him access to Terrell’s facility in the guise of a reporter wanting to write a piece on Terrell’s work. Terrell and his team are not taken in by Mahoney and continually attempt to throw him off the trail, to no avail. In order to counteract Mahoney’s discovery, Terrell and Maggie agree to meet the board of the Franklin Foundation to explain their work, after which a press conference on the mainland is arranged for the Terrel’s to speak at. On arrival the Terrell’s find out the conference has been cancelled, meanwhile both dolphins are stolen from the facility while they are otherwise distracted. Mahoney reveals to the pair that the Franklin Foundation have stolen the dolphins with the aim of using them to carry out a plan to assassinate the president by using a magnetic limpet mine. All that stands between the Franklin Foundation and the successful conclusion of their plan are Terrell, Maggie, Mahoney and two dolphins. Can they come to together to save the president or is it already too late?

Day of the Dolphin is a well-crafted and affecting slice of cinema that deals with the issue of man’s ability to turn something positive (in this instance the teaching of speech to dolphins) into something wrought with danger and negativity. The cast are brilliant and while the plot is pretty farfetched it does a good job of making the film feel almost believable. 

Powerhouse has done amazing job of bringing this film back to life, the print, taken from the new 4k remaster is stunning and the colours are vibrant and clear. There are some great bonus materials on this limited edition Blu-ray release including a selected scenes commentary from film historian Sheldon Hall, a couple of interesting documentaries about the production of the movie, as well as several archival interviews with screenwriter Buck Henry, and actors Leslie Charleson and Edward Hermann. The set also comes with a 36-page booklet featuring essays, interviews and production stills. All round a pretty impressive package for a slightly out there, but fun feature presentation.