Rex Harrison gives a fine performance as Dr. Dolittle, although some may find the role a little too similar to that of Professor Henry Higgins to give Harrison credit for his characterization. Richard Attenborough practically steal the movie with his brief turn as Albert Blossom, the circus proprietor, with whom the doctor partners to raise the funds for his expedition. Geoffrey Holder is in fine form as Willie Shakespeare, the leader of a very sophisticated island society and Peter Bull provides the right level of bluster to the role of General Bellowes, the film s only real antagonist. Signs of age are virtually non-existent, which left me amazed by the cleanness and clarity of the transfer. The image is also quite sharp and displays a marvelous level of detail.
Flesh tones have a healthy glow and don t appear overly made up.
Blacks are very accurate and the picture displays good shadow detail for a film of this vintage. The Dolby Digital 4.0 channel soundtrack decidedly favors the film s music. Surround information is decidedly absent, except for a tiny bit of musical fill. The forward soundstage is lively during musical numbers and the fidelity is rather good for recordings that are over thirty years old. Of course, the bottom end is somewhat abbreviated, but the music is never harsh or distorted.