Island Of Lost Souls (Criterion Collection) (1932) On DVD

Actor:           Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Bela Lugosi, George Irving
Director:      Erle C. Kenton
Genre:          Horror
Year:            1932
Studio:         Criterion
Length:        70
Released:   October 25, 2011
Rating:         Not Rated (MPAA Rating)
Format:        DVD
Misc:            NTSC, Black & White
Language:  English
Subtitles  :  English

DESCRIPTION:

A twisted treasure from Hollywood’s pre-Code horror heyday, Island of Lost Souls is a cautionary tale of science run amok adapted from H. G. Wells’s novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. In one of his first major movie roles, Charles Laughton (The Private Life of Henry VIII) is a mad doctor conducting ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor (Richard Arlen) who finds himself trapped there. This touchstone of movie terror, directed by Erle C. Kenton (House of Frankenstein), is elegantly shot by Karl Struss (The Great Dictator), features groundbreaking makeup effects that inspired generations of monster-movie artists, and costars Bela Lugosi (Dracula) in one his most gruesome roles.

Special Features:

New high-definition digital restoration of the uncut theatrical version

Audio commentary by film historian Gregory Mank, author

New video conversation among filmmaker John Landis and more

New interviews with horror film historian David J. Skal

New interviews with Devo founding members Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh

Theatrical trailer

Subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by critic Christine Smallwood