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Island of Lost Souls
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by Universal Studios
Sales Rank: 841
Price: $14.98
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When you've got Charles Laughton and Bela Lugosi, how can you go wrong? Shipwreck victim Edward Parker (Richard Arlen) is stranded on an island run by the mysterious Dr. Moreau (Laughton). Moreau is hospitable enough, but the jungle is full of menacing shapes--and what about those ominous references to the House of Pain? Parker gradually learns of Moreau's unholy experiments and worries that he'll never escape. Though it has aged a bit, <I>Island of Lost Souls</I> is surprisingly spine-tingling, particularly the horrifying climax. Light and shadows are used especially well--occasionally, Moreau speaks with his face entirely hidden, except for his glittering eyes. Laughton turns in yet another superbly evil performance and even the somewhat worse-for-wear Lugosi is creepy as the pronouncer of the law. ("Are we not men?" Well, no, not exactly.) This is a nicely chilling classic that may even make you think twice about modern science's experimentation with genetics. Don't miss it. Remade as <I>The Island of Dr. Moreau</I> in 1977 and 1996. <I>--Ali Davis</I>
Viewer Reviews
I own a 16 mm print of this film, and have watched it at least a dozen times. It is definitely my favorite adaptation of H.G. Wells, and I include George Pal's version of "The Time Machine," and both versions of "War of the Worlds" as its competition. We won't talk about the later remakes of "Dr. Moreau."
Of course I'm not sure that all of todays viewers, weaned on a glut of blood, gore and CGI would appreciate the film's subtlety and preference for suggestion over in-your-face shock. To be sure Richard Arlen as the hero has been seen to better advantage in other movies, and the Panther Woman fails by today's standards of female pulchritude, but the splendidly atmospheric production, cinematography, and above all Laughton's full-blooded performance make this a minor masterpiece.
Come on Time-Warner (who I think owns the rights), get off your timid corporate hinders and release this on DVD--or let Criterion do the job!
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