When, oh, when will scientists learn to stop playing with radiation? Island of Terror takes place on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. No phones, no regular transport to and from the mainland, but there is a well-equipped cancer research center where the well intentioned--but foolish!--scientists are irradiating lumps of tissue. The local constable finds a body with no bones in it ("No bones?" "No bones!") and soon a team from London, led by the ever-game Peter Cushing, arrives to investigate. Let's hope that darned generator doesn't give out... Island of Terror isn't going to keep you awake at night, but it is a lot of silly fun. Be warned, though--whatever the evil menace is, it can climb trees! Aaaaiiiieeeeeee!--Ali Davis
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: In the same style as the Quatermass films Comment: Neat little monster flick even if it did miss the Fifties by a few years. Good locations and color photography (filmed in 1:85 ratio) adds to the effect and the monsters are adequate for a film of this type.
Beware that the UK DVD release has the 'hand amputation/blood squirting scene' completely edited out, but I do hear that the German DVD release has the scene still fully intact.
All in all, a fun fifties style 'monster on the loose/trapped on an island' story with a tinge of British flavor which always adds some intelligence to these type of sci-fi flicks. Customer Rating: Summary: No bones? We just don't know what we're up against! Comment: In the late 60's, my mom packed the four of us kids into the station wagon and took us to the drive in theater to see a showing of four horror movies. Island of Terror was the third...and the best! I still remember being afraid to get up to go to the bathroom at night because I was SURE that the silicates were on the hallway ceiling waiting for me!
Of course, this is a low-budget horror flick made by a Hammer rival, but for what it is, it's still pretty darned good. The special effects aren't bad for the period, with unique and interesting creature design, sound effects and blatant rubber bodies... But a decent script, capable actors and the cold damp atmosphere of an Irish island directed by Hammer veteran Terence Fisher result in a memorable fun-filled and sometings even genuinely creepy good time. Cushing and Judd move things along nicely, and the supporting cast of does a nice job of adding local color.
Customer Rating: Summary: Hammer House classic Comment: Good characters in this "monsters on the loose" classic. You will notice that the Irishmen drink what appears to be pints of Guinness in this movie. Unlike a lot of monster movies, they gave the characters in this movie lives other than simply monster bait. Too often the characters are just standing around waiting for a monster to eat them. Customer Rating: Summary: Cheesy Comment: This is a pretty funny horror movie about cancer cells that grow and then go crazy on an island in the U.K. somewhere. The monsters look like big pieces of rubber hud. They also quiver with rage when they are attacked, anyway Peter Cushing does a good job and the scene where his hand gets whacked off looks pretty realistic considering how old this is. Customer Rating: Summary: "Its Some Scary Fun" Comment: Whats special about this movie is, THAT IT IS SCARY... which is a bit unusaul for now-days because what we have now is computerized effects. 1966 didn't have all this technology. Plus, it stars the legendary "Peter Cushing!" Buy this movie... its pretty much worth it.
