I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island (1941)

Director:

Lew Landers

Writers:

Karl Brown, Otto Eis (story),

Stars:

Sally Eilers, Donald Woods, Eduardo Ciannelli

Cast

Cast overview:
Sally Eilers	...	Claire Martel
Donald Woods	...	Joel Grant / Joseph Elmer
Eduardo Ciannelli	...	Dr. Victor Martel
Victor Kilian	...	Guissart
Charles Halton	...	Commandant
Dick Curtis	...	Jules
John Tyrrell	...	Gerault
Eddie Laughton	...	Brisson
Edmund Cobb	...	Quarry Guard
Robert Warwick	...	Governor

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

prison | melodrama

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 August 1941 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

71 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

An exquisite Lew Landers's rare gem

I looked for this film since many years now. And unlike many others I search too, this one is really worth the waiting. I watched it in a superb quality DVD from a 16mm print. It looked like a TV taping off. This story of a hero sent to hard labor prison farm - Devil's Island - may sound familiar for many movie buffs. Many B pictures already told us such tales. But this one is among most of them.

The first officer of a freight cargo accidentally kills his captain and is sent to Devil's Island, where strange and horrible things happen with the prisoners. You also may find some analogy with the Nazi disgusting medical works in concentration camps. But, at this time, in 1941, who was aware of this? So, we may guess that's only a dark hazard to tell such details on screen.

The love affair with the unavoidable gal doesn't spoil the film.

Fortunately.

Plenty of rhythm and action. Get it at all costs.