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
Island of Lost Souls
1933, Horror, 1h 10m
41 Reviews 1,000+ RatingsWhat to know
You might also like
See More
Frisco Kid
Sherman's March
The Phantom of the Opera
The Castle of Cagliostro
Sholay
Rate And Review
-
What did you think of the movie? (optional)
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.
What did you think of the movie? (optional)
How did you buy your ticket?
-
Fandango
-
AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew
-
Cinemark Coming Soon
We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
-
Regal Coming Soon
We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.
-
Theater box office or somewhere else
Island of Lost Souls Photos
Movie Info
In this adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel "The Island of Doctor Moreau," Edward Parker (Richard Arlen) is shipwrecked on a remote island presided over by the mysterious Dr. Moreau (Charles Laughton). Edward discovers his host is conducting genetic experiments, and presiding over a race of half-human, half-animal hybrids, including the alluring Panther Woman and the sage Sayer of the Law (Bela Lugosi). The island has become its own society, with Moreau as its god.
-
Genre: Horror
-
Original Language: English
-
Director: Erle C. Kenton
-
Writer: Waldemar Young, Philip Wylie
-
Release Date (Theaters): original
-
Release Date (Streaming):
-
Runtime:
Cast & Crew
News & Interviews for Island of Lost Souls
Critic Reviews for Island of Lost Souls
Audience Reviews for Island of Lost Souls
-
This 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.
-
The 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.
-
Legendary makeup with a good, but familiar script with a twist.
-
Its 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.
Verified