Island of Lost Souls
by Erle C. Kenton
Our Price: $29.90
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $10.99 (click here)
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases
Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Bela Lugosi, Charles Laughton, Kathleen Burke, Leila Hyams, Richard ArlenDirector: Erle C. Kenton
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, HiFi Sound, NTSC
Running Time: 71 minutes
Release Date: 1997-09-16
Audience Rating: Unrated
Publisher: Universal Studios
Studio: Universal Studios
VHS Movie Reviews of Island of Lost Souls
Movie Review: One of the very finest from the golden age.
Summary: 5 Stars
This was released a year before the production code went into enforcement, and it shows! There are things and suggestions of things here that the filmmakers would never have gotten away with once the Breen Office began imposing its iron fist on Hollywood. H.G. Welles, who wrote the novel on which it was based, was reportedly disgusted by it, but this is still one of the very best fantasy pictures of the early sound era, easily standing alongside 'King Kong' and Whale's 'The Bride of Frankenstein' as the very cream of the crop.
That it is still unavailable on DVD is a crime.
After more than 70 years this remains an exciting and involving picture with a number of unexpectedly poetic moments. The atmospheric camera work by Karl Struss is pretty sophisticated for the time, the art direction is great, and the makeup, while primitive, is still creepy and effective, with lots of disfigured faces looming eerily out of the darkness. It also has a brisk pace, cramming a lot into its brief running time.
In a movie that already has a lot of things going for it, Charles Laughton is one of the best. He gives a magnificently droll performance here, lending the picture a great deal of class. Laughton alone would be enough to give the film a strong recommendation - he's a joy to watch, and, cracking a nasty little smile at the most inappropriate moments, one of the best mad doctors to perform perverted experiments in the history of cinema, hands down. Bela Lugosi, in a minor role, also stands out as the Sayer of the Law. ("Are we not men?" No, not quite.)
Again, it really sucks that only the inferior (VERY inferior) film versions of this story are available on DVD. Somebody needs to get on the stick, or else go straight to the House of Pain.
Summary of Island of Lost Souls
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, Island of Lost Souls 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 The Island of Dr. Moreau in 1977 and 1996. --Ali DavisCult Movies VHS Video
VHS Video Movies
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation VHS Video
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics VHS Video
- Comedy VHS Video
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama VHS Video
- Educational
- Fitness
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror VHS Video
- Kids & Family
- Military & War VHS Video
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports VHS Video
- Television VHS Video
- Westerns VHS Video
Movies most talked about in UNIVERSAL MONSTER COLLECTION
Creature From the Black LagoonUniversal Studios; Release date: 1992-03-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops:
The RavenMCA Universal; Release date: 1997-09-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.98
The Bride of FrankensteinMCA / Universal; Published: 1991; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.64
Wolf ManMCA / Universal; VHS Tape; VHS Video
FrankensteinUniversal Studios; Release date: 1992-03-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $3.11
Price in other shops:
Murders in the Rue MorgueUniversal Studios; Release date: 1997-09-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $16.99
Captive Wild WomanUniversal Studios; Release date: 1997-09-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.84
Price in other shops:
Werewolf of LondonUniversal Studios; Release date: 1997-09-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $10.95
Island of Lost SoulsUniversal Studios; Release date: 1997-09-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.95
Dracula's DaughterUniversal Studios; Release date: 1997-09-16; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $16.69
Similar VHS Movies
FreaksRelease date: 2004-08-10; DVD
Best price: $11.82
Price in other shops:
The Mummy (Universal Legacy Series)MUMMY, THE (1932) - SPECIAL EDITION (DVD MOVI; Release date: 2008-07-08; DVD
Best price: $18.04
Price in other shops:
The Mystery of the Wax Museum / 1933 / Fay WrayPublished: 2005; DVD
Best price: $38.99
The Fall of the House of Usher / The Pit and the PendulumTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2005-02-15; DVD
Best price: $4.55
Price in other shops:
The UninvitedMCA/Universal Home Video; Release date: 1998-01-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $95.94
Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde Double Feature (1932/ 1941)Release date: 2004-01-06; DVD
Best price: $6.46
Price in other shops:
Hollywood's Legends of Horror Collection (Doctor X / The Return of Doctor X / Mad Love / The Devil Doll / Mark of the Vampire / The Mask of Fu Manchu)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2006-10-10; DVD
Best price: $22.99
Price in other shops:
Invasion of the Body SnatchersRelease date: 1998-07-01; DVD
Best price: $7.67
Price in other shops:
The Bela Lugosi Collection (Murders in the Rue Morgue / The Black Cat / The Raven / The Invisible Ray / Black Friday)Release date: 2005-09-06; DVD
Best price: $14.75
Price in other shops:
The Island of Dr. MoreauRelease date: 2001-08-28; DVD
Best price: $2.97
Price in other shops: