Isle of the Dead

Director - Mark Robson (The Ghost Ship, Edge of Doom)

Starring - Boris Karloff (Frankenstein, The Mummy), Ellen Drew (Science Fiction Theatre, The Mad Doctor), and Marc Cramer (Beware of Ladies, The Canterville Ghost)

Release Date - 1945

Genre - Horror
Tagline - "Will keep your screaming"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     There may not be a bigger name in horror history than Boris Karloff aside from the likes of Bela Lugosi but Karloff is the original horror icon.  His portrayal of Frankenstein's creation is iconic and the introductions for many of us into the genre.  His career was so much more than Frankenstein.  He starred in several of the classic Universal Monsters films and many more productions over the years.  In 1945 he starred in the Mark Robson horror thriller Isle of the Dead.  This is one I had never seen before and when I received the press release from Warner Bros. I quickly responded and asked for a copy to review.  I want to thank WB for hooking me up!

     The film follows a general (Karloff) during the war of 1912 who is burying the dead due to the pandemic.  A reporter visit with the general to the Isle of the Dead to visit his long-dead wife but are spooked by a young woman singing.  Soon they discover a Swiss archeologist living on the island along with a few others.  When they start to die the doctor and general suspect the plague but the local superstition beleives its a form of vampire causing the deaths.  

     I didn't know what to expect from Isle of the Dead exactly considering I rarely ever hear this one mentioned by genre fans.  Karloff is a legend that has worked on some of the most iconic films in history but Isle is one rarely mentioned.  After watching it I can see why.  It wasn't a bad film but it was very uneventful.  I don't mind a slow burn, and this one held my attention, but I can find a much more entertaining film featuring the late Karloff.  The acting in this one is solid.  Karloff delivers an amazing performance.  His character is very dry and doesn't stand out like some of this other characters but he doesn't disappoint either.  The supporting cast is not bad either.  The characters, much like Karloff's, are pretty flat but they really give the scene their all which does not disappoint.  The story for this one tries to throw the viewer for a curve but you see everything coming a mile away.  Almost 80 years later and films are still as predictable today.  However, I liked it.  It doesn't over-complicate things and the story still holds your attention well enough.  I would have loved for it to be a more straight forward story but it still works.  Finally, this is not a bloody or gory flick which exactly what you would expect from a pre-60s horror flick.  Overall, Isle of the Dead is a solid horror entry from the mid-40s that has a great cast and a decent enough story.  The transfer of this release looks absolutely fantastic but the lack of special features may turn off some collectors.  I highly recommend it.