The Island (1980)

A journalist takes his son with him to investigate pirate activity off the coast of Florida. But he gets stranded on a mysterious island--where he might not be alone.

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 City, journalist Blair Maynard convinces his editor to travel to Florida to investigate the mysterious disappearance of ships in the Bermuda Triangle area. Maynard is divorced, and his ex-wife sends their son Justin to stay with him while she is travelling with her boyfriend. Maynard brings Justin with him and promises to go to Walt Disney World with him. However, he tells Justin that they will travel to the Bermuda 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 off of 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:

For three hundred years, a terrifying secret has been kept from the outside world.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sir Michael Caine appeared in Jaws: The Revenge (1987), the third sequel to Peter Benchley's Jaws (1975), giving Caine two appearances in Benchley-related movies, both of which were "paycheck movies".

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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

Windsor: Are you wise enough to feel privileged by what you see here? You and I are the only living men to see what you lies before you now.
Blair Maynard: A bunch of arseholes playing Long John Fucking Silver?

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Connections

Referenced in Empire of the Censors (1995)

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Soundtracks

Ein Heldenleben
by Richard Strauss

User Reviews

Superb modern day pirate tale!

I've always loved this movie. The first part of the film nicely details the troubled relationship between father and son (played by Michael Caine and Jeffrey Frank respectively)and helps you build a sympathy for them that then makes the final part of the movie all the more intense and gut wrenching as a result. As this is essentially a modern day pirate tale you can rest assured that there is no shortage of crusty pirate talk, filthy bodies (although the pirates wife's body makes for a pleasant exception to the rule)unrelenting carnage and David Warner,all of which add up to make a splendid entertainment! The locales are also lush and pleasing. You really have to love a film that can take such beautiful surroundings and add that edge of real menace and danger. The finale is a whole lotta fun too. Check this one out , it's a work of art!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 June 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Island

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$22,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,123,267, 15 June 1980

Gross USA:

$15,716,828

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$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