Island of the Lost Souls or Freaks?

God, that's a tough call. "Freaks" was such a ground-breaking film. Too bad FJA isn't still with us to make the call. I'd bow to his expertise.

"Stalker?"
"Yup, bigtime"

Freaks.

"He's already attracted to her. Time and monotony will do the rest."

Island of Lost Souls is a better movie. Freaks is a curiosity. It's a motion picture circus sideshow. Both are worth owning for anyone though.


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Freaks. Considering when it was made the film is revolutionary and had a great impact on me when I first saw it. I still find it disturbing even now, and there has never been a film quite like it. Stone cold classic.

I give the edge to "island of Lost Souls" because it's better written and directed, even if it's not quite as "weird." "Freaks" has a tremendous atmosphere, but it's clear that most of the cast members are not actors.

"Freaks": 7/10
"Island of Lost Souls": 8/10

I think Island of Lost Souls is definitely the superior film. Freaks (which I gave a 7/10) is pretty static and clunky, with dubious acting and uninteresting romance. It, in my opinion, doesn't really come alive until the finale. Island of Lost Souls (which I gave a 9/10), is a true masterpiece of horror. I haven't seen very many films in that genre, but IOLS is undoubtedly my favorite horror flick. It's just dripping in sweat and sadism, with a top-notch performance from Charles Laughton, fast pacing, great atmosphere, and unspeakable acts of cruelty (I mean, the plot revolves around vivisection and features the villain meeting his end through one performed by his own manimal creations, not to mention an attempted rape that would have doubled as an act of bestiality).

By the way, I think the logical counterpart to IOLS is actually The Most Dangerous Game. They're both pulpy South Pacific adventure/horror stories about a hero trapped on an evil man's island.

Interesting question. They are both jarring for different reasons..though both offer the same cautionary message, that being.....IF YOU TREAT OTHER HUMAN BEINGS, OTHER LIVING THINGS, OR CREATION INHUMANLY, YOU WILL PAY A TERRIBLE PRICE. Island of Lost Souls is the better film because of production and it's stars. Freaks is a disturbing anamoly in that it's cast for the most part, are disabled people, who in the end are shown to be cruel and vengeful and presented as almost non human monsters lurking in the shadows. One can make the argument that they are exploited here....and their true humanity is never presented.....one could also argue that on another level, the film is guilty of the very offence that it condemns.

Interesting question. They are both jarring for different reasons..though both offer the same cautionary message, that being.....IF YOU TREAT OTHER OTHER HUMAN BEINGS, OTHER LIVING THINGS, OR CREATION INHUMANLY, YOU WILL PAY A TERRIBLE PRICE. Island of Lost Souls is the better film because of production and it's stars. Freaks is a disturbing anamoly in that it's cast for the most part, are disabled people, who in the end are shown to be cruel and vengeful and presented as almost non human monsters lurking in the shadows. One can make the argument that they are exploited here....and their true humanity is never presented.....one could also argue that on another level, the film is guilty of the very offence that it condemns.