Island of Lost Souls

1932
Rejected
1h 10m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

12K

YOUR RATING

Kathleen Burke in Island of Lost Souls (1932)

Three Reasons Criterion Trailer for Island of Lost Souls

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3 Videos

99+ Photos

Body Horror Film Noir Horror Sci-Fi

A mad doctor conducts ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor who finds himself trapped there.A mad doctor conducts ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor who finds himself trapped there.A mad doctor conducts ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor who finds himself trapped there.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

12K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win total

Beast
(uncredited)

Buster Brodie

Pig Man
(uncredited)

Jimmy Dime

Seaman
(uncredited)

Harry Ekezian

Gola
(uncredited)

Charles Gemora

Gorilla on Pier
(uncredited)

Director
- Erle C. Kenton
Writers
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Author H.G. Wells disliked this movie adaptation of his novel of the same title. Wells felt the film's emphasis on horror overshadowed the novel's philosophical themes.

Goofs
As the beast-men attack Moreau's lab, one of them brushes against a flaming torch and sets his furry head alight.

Actually that is not a Goof, as it is what likely would happen. Hair readily catches fire as attested to by many children's birthday party videos.

Quotes
Dr. Moreau: What is the law?
Sayer of the Law: Not to eat meat, that is the law. Are we not men?
Beasts (in unison): Are we not men?
Dr. Moreau: What is the law?
Sayer of the Law: Not to go on all fours, that is the law. Are we not men?
Beasts (in unison): Are we not men?
Dr. Moreau: What is the law?
Sayer of the Law: Not to spill blood, that is the law. Are we not men?
Beasts (in unison): Are we not men?

Crazy credits
Kathleen Burke is listed as The Panther Woman, and not her real name, in the opening credits.

Alternate versions
The film was rejected by the BBFC for theatrical release In 1933 and 1957. In 1958, the film was released theatrically in the UK with the BBFC making cuts to secure a 'X' rating. All cuts were waived in 1996 when the film was re-rated with a '12' certificate for home video and later re-rated 'PG' in 2011 for Blu-ray release in 2012.

Connections
Featured in Night Gallery: The Boy Who Predicted Earthquakes/Miss Lovecraft Sent Me/The Hand of Borgus Weems/Phantom of What Opera? (1971)

User reviews133

Featured review

Terrifying when I first saw it in 1933. Equally so in 2000.

I first saw this film in 1933 when I was 7 years old. My 20 year old aunt, who was also my nanny, used to drag me to these things (also took me to equally horrifying Trader Horn and King Kong) instead of taking me to the playground. Even after 67 years, I remembered the scene when someone was lashing the rebellious half-animals.

I checked it out from my video store last year for a re-run. Absolutely magnificent Laughton. Still scary.