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IMDbPro

Island of Lost Souls

  • 19321932
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 10m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
9.5K
YOUR RATING
Kathleen Burke in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
Three Reasons Criterion Trailer for Island of Lost Souls
Play trailer1:39
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • 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.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
9.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Erle C. Kenton
  • Writers
    • Waldemar Young(screenplay)
    • Philip Wylie(screenplay)
    • H.G. Wells(novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau")
  • Stars
    • Charles Laughton
    • Bela Lugosi
    • Richard Arlen
Top credits
  • Director
    • Erle C. Kenton
  • Writers
    • Waldemar Young(screenplay)
    • Philip Wylie(screenplay)
    • H.G. Wells(novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau")
  • Stars
    • Charles Laughton
    • Bela Lugosi
    • Richard Arlen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 125User reviews
    • 119Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Videos3

    Island of Lost Souls: The Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]
    Trailer 1:39
    Island of Lost Souls: The Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]
    Island of Lost Souls
    Trailer 1:29
    Island of Lost Souls
    Island of Lost Souls
    Trailer 0:39
    Island of Lost Souls

    Photos122

    "Island Of Lost Souls" Bela Lugosi 1933 Paramount / **I.V.
    Kathleen Burke in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Arthur Hohl, and Hans Steinke in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Kathleen Burke in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Stanley Fields in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Stanley Fields, Leila Hyams, and George Irving in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Stanley Fields and Leila Hyams in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Kathleen Burke in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Leila Hyams in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Arthur Hohl in Island of Lost Souls (1932)
    Island of Lost Souls (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Charles Laughton
    Charles Laughton
    • Dr. Moreauas Dr. Moreau
    Bela Lugosi
    Bela Lugosi
    • Sayer of the Lawas Sayer of the Law
    Richard Arlen
    Richard Arlen
    • Edward Parkeras Edward Parker
    Leila Hyams
    Leila Hyams
    • Ruth Thomasas Ruth Thomas
    Kathleen Burke
    Kathleen Burke
    • Lota the Panther Womanas Lota the Panther Woman
    Arthur Hohl
    Arthur Hohl
    • Montgomeryas Montgomery
    Stanley Fields
    Stanley Fields
    • Captain Daviesas Captain Davies
    Paul Hurst
    Paul Hurst
    • Donahueas Donahue
    Hans Steinke
    • Ouranas Ouran
    Tetsu Komai
    • M'lingas M'ling
    George Irving
    George Irving
    • The Consulas The Consul
    Jack Bardette
    • Undetermined Roleas Undetermined Role
    • (uncredited)
    Evangelus Berbas
    • Undetermined Roleas Undetermined Role
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Bonomo
    • Beastas Beast
    • (uncredited)
    Buster Brodie
    Buster Brodie
    • Pig Man - a Little Beastas Pig Man - a Little Beast
    • (uncredited)
    Jimmy Dime
    Jimmy Dime
    • Seamanas Seaman
    • (uncredited)
    Harry Ekezian
    • Golaas Gola
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Gemora
    Charles Gemora
    • Gorilla on Pieras Gorilla on Pier
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Erle C. Kenton
    • Writers
      • Waldemar Young(screenplay)
      • Philip Wylie(screenplay)
      • H.G. Wells(novel "The Island of Dr. Moreau")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In response to British censors who claimed the film was "against nature," Charles Laughton's Elsa Lanchester is said to have stated, "Of course it's against nature. So's Mickey Mouse!"
    • Goofs
      As the beast-men attack Moreau's lab one of them brushes against a flaming torch and sets his furry head alight.
    • 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?

    • 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 reviews125

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    A Chilling Classic!
    This chilling adaptation of the H.G.Well's novella, "The Island of Dr Moreau" remains unsurpassed, despite two later wretched attempts to improve upon it. Banned in England upon release! An exotic, but sinister atmosphere pervading Moreau's privately-owned island is enhanced by filming in Black & White, whose shadowy contrasts imbue the setting which a dark, suspenseful tone. Moreau amorally attempts to "play God" by creating "manimals" - hybrid humans and animals - via surgical vivasection and blood transfusion in his laboratory, The House of Pain. Charles Laughton has never been more campily devilish as when playing Moreau - an exquisite performance by a great actor.

    Bela Lugosi plays a small, but effective part as "The Sayer of the Law": "Are we not men?" Kathleen Burke as the beautiful, erotic "Panther Woman" who develops an ill-fated romance with the protagonist, Edward Parker (played by Richard Arlen). Crisp direction by Erle Kenton, with nice make-up effects by Wally Westmore. The cutaway from the grisly ending when Moreau is about to be subjected to "surgery of the most fatal kind" in The House of Pain is most appreciated and is what I consider to be an exercise in directorial restraint and finesse. My imagination more than filled in the horrific details. Kudos to Mr. Kenton!
    helpful•40
    2
    • Whizzer-2
    • Sep 29, 1999

    FAQ6

    • What is 'Island of Lost Souls' about?
    • Is 'Island of Lost Souls' based on a book?
    • Where is Moreau's island located?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 1932 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Cantonese
    • Also known as
      • H.G. Wells' Island of Lost Souls
    • Filming locations
      • Santa Catalina Island, Channel Islands, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $300,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 10 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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