Iguanas in Movies: Which are the Top 3?

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Iguanas in movies: Which are the top 3?

by Khushboo Gairola

Iguanas are often used in movies to add to the exotic or tropical atmosphere of a particular setting or scene. They are also sometimes used as characters in their own right, or as part of a larger menagerie of animals that might be featured in a particular movie.

When iguanas are used in movies, they are typically trained or handled by animal trainers or wranglers who specialize in working with reptiles. These professionals ensure that the animals are well-cared for and comfortable on set, and that their behavior is safe and predictable. In some cases, animatronics or computer-generated imagery (CGI) may also be used to create realistic or fantastical iguanas or other reptiles for use in movies. You can find more about them here.

In addition to being used for their visual appeal or as part of a larger cast of animals, iguanas are sometimes also used for their unique abilities or behaviors. For example, iguanas are known for their impressive climbing and jumping abilities, which can make them interesting and dynamic characters to feature in certain scenes. They are also known for their distinctive vocalizations and territorial displays, which can add to the realism and authenticity of a particular movie setting.

Overall, iguanas are a valuable resource for filmmakers looking to add an exotic or tropical flair to their productions, and they are typically handled with care and professionalism to ensure their safety and well-being on set.

1. "The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire" (1971)

"The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire" is a giallo horror film directed by Riccardo Freda and released in 1971. The film is set in Dublin, Ireland, where a series of gruesome murders occur. The victims are all connected to a wealthy family, and the police must unravel the family's dark secrets in order to catch the killer.

The film features an iguana as a minor character in the storyline. Specifically, an iguana is used as a murder weapon in one of the film's most memorable scenes. The iguana is placed on the victim's face and begins to lick its tongue over the victim's eyes and mouth, causing the victim to die of shock.

While "The Iguana with the Tongue of Fire" is not a widely known or critically acclaimed film, it is a cult classic among fans of giallo and horror cinema. The film's title, as well as its use of an iguana in a murder scene, have contributed to its notoriety over the years.

2. "Barbarella" (1968)

"Barbarella" is a 1968 science fiction film directed by Roger Vadim, based on the French comic series of the same name by Jean-Claude Forest. The film stars Jane Fonda as Barbarella, a space-traveler in the distant future who is sent on a mission to find a missing scientist named Durand Durand.

While iguanas don't play a major role in the film, there is a memorable scene featuring an iguana. In the scene, Barbarella encounters an eccentric scientist named Professor Ping, who keeps a collection of exotic animals in his laboratory. Among his collection is an iguana, which he uses as part of a strange scientific experiment.

The iguana in the film is portrayed as a giant, human-sized creature with the ability to speak. The scene is one of the many surreal and bizarre moments in the film, which is known for its colorful, psychedelic visuals and its tongue-in-cheek approach to science fiction.

Overall, while iguanas are not a major part of the plot of "Barbarella", their appearance in the film is one of the many elements that contribute to its unique and memorable style.

3. "The Island of Dr. Moreau" (1996)

"The Island of Dr. Moreau" is a 1996 science fiction film directed by John Frankenheimer and based on the classic novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. The film follows a scientist named Dr. Moreau, who has been conducting experiments on a remote island to create animal-human hybrids. The main character, Edward Douglas (played by David Thewlis), is stranded on the island and becomes embroiled in the dangerous and unsettling world of Dr. Moreau's creations.

One of the animal-human hybrids created by Dr. Moreau is a half-man, half-iguana creature. The creature, named "M'ling" in the novel, is portrayed in the film as a grotesque and frightening being, with scaly skin, sharp claws, and a snout-like nose. M'ling serves as one of Dr. Moreau's loyal assistants and is responsible for helping to keep the other animal-human hybrids under control.

The iguana aspect of M'ling's character is played up in the film, with the creature hissing and screeching in a reptilian manner. While the film received mixed reviews upon its release, the makeup and special effects used to bring the various animal-human hybrids to life were generally praised. Overall, the inclusion of an iguana in the film's cast of strange and unsettling creatures adds to the film's eerie and unsettling atmosphere.