
Island of Lost Souls
1933, Horror, 1h 10m
40 Reviews 1,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Led by a note-perfect performance from Charles Laughton, Island of Lost Souls remains the definitive film adaptation of its classic source material. Read critic reviews
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Island of Lost Souls Photos
Movie Info
Cast & Crew
Dr. Moreau
Sayer of the Law
Edward Parker
Ruth Thomas
The Panther Woman - Lota
Mr. Montgomery
News & Interviews for Island of Lost Souls
Critic Reviews for Island of Lost Souls
All Critics (40) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (35) | Rotten (5)
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It has the appalling, monstrous quality of a nightmare.
October 8, 2020 | Full Review… -
A tight, gruesome shocker, featuring Karl Struss's spooky cinematography and Charles Laughton's creepy portrayal of the mad vivisector Dr. Moreau ...
February 16, 2015 | Full Review… -
Island Of Lost Souls is a horror film based on the premise that the divide between humanity and the animal world is one that should never be crossed, but also one that's impossible to determine.
February 23, 2012 | Rating: A | Full Review… -
Laughton, as he managed to do in Devil and the Deep and The Sign of the Cross, gives the role of the villain a peculiarly horrifying quality by humanizing it far beyond the demands of the script.
October 17, 2011 | Full Review… -
While the action is not designed to appeal to other than the credulous, there are undoubtedly some horror sequences which are unrivaled.
October 17, 2011 | Full Review… -
This may have been made (and banned) in the 1930s, but it remains a neatly disturbing horror with a definitive ending.
October 17, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for Island of Lost Souls
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Dec 01, 2016This movie has great casting: Charles Laughton, playing the cruel genius Dr. Moreau who has been experimenting on animals to create a hairy group of man-beasts, Kathleen Burke as the cat-woman Lota, his only beautiful (and only female) creation, and Bela Lugosi as the 'Sayer of the Law', who intones among other things, "Are we not men?" (the line Devo would use in the title of their first album). The aura of the film is chilling as well, set on a tiny tropical island where Moreau carries out vivisections in the 'House of Pain', and eagerly tries to mate Lota with Edward Parker, a newcomer to the island who has been stranded there. Those scenes aren't incredibly erotic, but add some spice and were scandalous for the time. The special effects in 1932 were somewhat limited, but director Erle Kenton's use of shadows, tight shots on the faces of the troglodytes, and scenes were Moreau uses his whip to enforce his will on his creations create an eerie, claustrophobic effect. It's a little slow in getting started but at 71 minutes is otherwise well-paced. Definitely a classic horror film worth watching, if for nothing else, Laughton's brilliant performance.Antonius B Super Reviewer
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Oct 17, 2013The first and most fortunate adaptation of H.G. Wells' literary work. Released in the same year of Tod Browning's cult film "Freaks", also it does not shy away by showing very realistic and frightening make up effects, even if the former had real actors portraying the creatures, this picture is more elegant and elaborate. A brilliant Charles Laughton not only embodies the blindness and evil caused by hubris, but also humanizes his character.Pierluigi P Super Reviewer
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Sep 02, 2012Legendary makeup with a good, but familiar script with a twist.ZACHO D Super Reviewer
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May 05, 2012Its a decidedly fun and lurid little film. I love how the brief running time is used to break down the story to its most basic levels. No scene is wasted but it also never feels rushed. While its clearly a pre Hayes Code film (the suggestion of bestiality almost made me faint), its still reserved. Tension is drawn from the constant potential of mayhem and when it finally does unleash, the ending gets fairly disturbing even by today's standards. Oh and Laughton gives a reserved and complex performance that may be a little too good for this movie.Alec B Super Reviewer
Island of Lost Souls Quotes
Dr. Moreau: | They Are Restless Tonight. |
Dr. Moreau: | They are restless tonight. |
Dr. Moreau: | Do You Know What It Means To Feel Like God? |
Dr. Moreau: | Mr. Parker, do you know what it means to feel like God? |
Ruth Thomas: | [hearing chanting] What's that? |
Dr. Moreau: | The natives, they have a curious ceremony. Mr. Parker has witnessed it. |
Ruth Thomas: | Tell us about it, Edward. |
Edward Parker: | Oh, it's... it's nothing. |
Dr. Moreau: | They are restless tonight. |
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