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Island of the Blue Dolphins (film)

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Island of the Blue Dolphins
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames B. Clark
Screenplay byJane Klove
Ted Sherdeman
Based onIsland of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell
Produced byRobert B. Radnitz
StarringCelia Kaye
Larry Domasin
Ann Daniel
Carlos Romero
George Kennedy
Hal John Norman
CinematographyLeo Tover
Edited byTed J. Kent
Music byPaul Sawtell
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • July 3, 1964 (1964-07-03)
Running time
93 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a 1964 American adventure film directed by James B. Clark and written by Jane Klove and Ted Sherdeman. It is based on the 1960 novel Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. The film stars Celia Kaye, Larry Domasin, Ann Daniel, Carlos Romero, George Kennedy and Hal John Norman.[1][2][3] The film was released on July 3, 1964, by Universal Pictures.

The producer and director had previously collaborated on A Dog of Flanders and Misty.[4]

The film was shot in Gualala, California.[5]

Plot

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In 1835, a ship crewed by Russian fur hunters and Aleuts come to an island off the coast of Southern California to hunt sea otters. They make a deal with the Nicoleño people living in the village of Ghalas-at for permission to hunt on their lands, but later try to leave without paying. The hunters are then confronted by the village chief and respond with violence. In the ensuing skirmish most of the Nicoleños are slain, forcing the survivors to flee the island. Young Karana, realizing that her 6-year-old brother, Ramo, has been left behind, returns to the island. Karana and Ramo are left alone, menaced by a pack of wild dogs. The most ferocious of the dogs kills Ramo, and Karana teaches herself archery and hunts the dog. She puts an arrow in its chest but then takes pity on the animal and nurses it back to health.

She and the dog, whom she names Rontu, become fast friends. When another group of hunters come to the island, Karana hides, and although Tutok, a girl in the group, finds her and tries to befriend her, Karana refuses to trust anyone. Years pass, and Rontu dies of age. Karana finds a wild dog, that looks like Rontu, and names him Rontu-Aru which means son of Rontu. Later, a boat carrying a missionary arrives, and this time Karana decides to trust the strangers. Taking her animals, Rontu-Aru and some wild birds she has taught to never leave her, she leaves the island.

Cast

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Island of the Blue Dolphins (1964) – Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  2. ^ Howard Thompson (July 4, 1964). "Movie Review – Island of the Blue Dolphins – Island of Blue Dolphins' Has Premiere". The New York Times. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  3. ^ "Island of the Blue Dolphins". American Film Institute. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  4. ^ Howard Thompson (August 25, 1963). "On the Manhattan Screen Scene". The New York Times. ProQuest 116416204.
  5. ^ Harold Mendelssohn (November 17, 1963). "'Dolphins' Log". The New York Times. ProQuest 116617700.
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