The Island (1980)

In New York, the journalist Blair Maynard convinces his editor to travel to Florida to investigate the mysterious disappearance of ships in the Bermuda's Triangle area. Maynard is divorced ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Ritchie

Writers:

Peter Benchley (screenplay), Peter Benchley (novel)

Stars:

Michael Caine, David Warner, Angela Punch McGregor

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Caine	...	Blair Maynard
David Warner	...	John David Nau
Angela Punch McGregor	...	Beth
Frank Middlemass	...	Windsor
Don Henderson	...	Rollo
Dudley Sutton	...	Dr. Brazil
Colin Jeavons	...	Hizzoner
Zakes Mokae	...	Wescott
Brad Sullivan	...	Stark
Jeffrey Frank	...	Justin Maynard
John O'Leary	...	Doctor #1
Bruce McLaughlin	...	Doctor #2
James J. Casino	...	Doctor #3 (as Jimmy Casino)
Suzanne Astor	...	Mrs. Burgess
Susan Bredhoff	...	Kate

Storyline

In New York, the journalist Blair Maynard convinces his editor to travel to Florida to investigate the mysterious disappearance of ships in the Bermuda's Triangle area. Maynard is divorced and his ex-wife sends their son Justin to stay with him while she is traveling with her boyfriend. Maynard brings Justin with him and promises to go to the Disneyland with him. However he tells Justin that they will travel to the Bermuda's Triangle but their plane crashes in an island. Maynard rents the boat of the local Dr. Brazil to fish barracuda with his son. But they are attacked by pirates and Maynard kills one of them in self-defense. They are captured and find that they are trapped in an island with pirates under the command of John David Nau. Maynard is forced to be the substitute for the husband of the widow Beth and Justin is brainwashed and converted into a pirate. Now Maynard tries to find a way out from the pirate island.

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Plot Keywords:

u.s. coast guard | female pirate | stockholm syndrome | cocaine | flare gun | 

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Taglines:

This summer the most terrifying thing in the water is The Island

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Ilha

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,123,267, 15 June 1980, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$15,716,828

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Zanuck/Brown Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Frank Middlemass (Dr. Windsor) was disappointed with the finished film.

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Goofs

Just as Michael Caine exits the plane right before it explodes, he yells "Run, Jeffrey, run" to his son. But his son's name (the character) is Justin, not Jeffrey. Jeffrey is the first name of the actor who plays the son.

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Quotes

Beth: What's that?
Blair Maynard: It's a drug called cocaine.
Beth: What does it cure?
Blair Maynard: Insecurity.

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Connections

Referenced in Don't Say No Until I Finish Talking: The Story of Richard D. Zanuck (2013)

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Soundtracks

Ein Heldenleben
by Richard Strauss

User Reviews

Not So Bad

Journalist and son investigate mysterious boat disappearances in Caribbean and end up victims themselves, kidnapped by pirates, real pirates, who still cling to the traditions of the buccaneer past. Funny how I've developed nostalgia for the bad films of the 70s and will more readily sit through them then 90% of the junk that's released today. As far as being quality effort movie making wise, this really isn't so bad. The story is unique and interesting, far-fetched yes. Most of the plot turns are equally nonsensical, but the acting and direction is first rate. The violence is heavy handed, and it really bugged me as a kid. But I think viewing it now; it well captures the true brutality of the pirate mentality. The one thing that really sinks the film is the kid. He's terrible and terribly annoying. They overdub his voice, like they seemed to do with kids quite often back then, and it's a total distraction. Also his characters transformation and brainwashing, never sits right with you. You are not ready to forgive him in the end as intended. Good weird sex, and some terrific action sequences however, make this movie worth a look and not nearly as awful as critics paint it.