Hello,
Is Karloff's perfomance in this film considered to be one of his more inspired performances?
I guess I'm trying to gauge my own reaction to the film (I liked it a great deal) with how this film is popularly perceived. I noticed the film was only rated a 6.4 out of ten on the IMDb and I think this is vastly underrating it.
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I'm sure many viewers are disappointed in ISLE OF THE DEAD, the title of which promises hair-raising horror and unspeakable mayhem.
It actually turns out to be a beautifully photographed character study of several people trapped in a dangerous situation.
Very nicely said, from start to finish, and I agree completely.
shareKarloff was a great actor, period.
People who ask questions like "Bela or Boris" simply do not understand the difference between acting and cartoons. I'd put Isle of the Dead as one of his best, along with The Body Snatchers and Targets. And The Bride of Frankenstien, which is brilliantly subtle actor beneath the constraints and make up.
Saw this last night for the first time and Karloff blew me away. I've always liked him but never seen him play this kind of role so well. I agree about The Body Snatcher comparison but, to be honest, the kind of work he did in The Mummy, Frankenstein, Old Dark House etc. is so different and impressive I'm always surprised to see him handling such a subtle performance so well.
And to the poster that said it isn't scary, while I generally agree there was one moment that scared me witless. The scene soon after the mistress has 'reserected' herself and Thea is wandering about outside hearing odd noises. She walks into the darkness of the tomb and is looking around when suddenly the woman, dressed in flowing white, appears from the darkness and runs off. The buildup is interminable and the timing perfect.
Definitly one of his best performances.
Isle of the Dead is a film that really "opens up" on repeated viewings. It is certainly not a horror movie. Although scary in places (the last 10-15 minutes), the kind of terror it invokes is really psychological. As the plague claims victim after victim, nerves are exposed, and Karloff's character changes from being a strict rationalist to believing the tales of the supernatural he knew as a child. He substitutes one kind of fanaticism for another.
Isle of the Dead is beautifully photographed, well acted and directed. And don't forget to listen to the musical soundtrack - it is very subtle and haunting.
My favourite Karloff roles:
1. Cabman Gray (Body Snatcher)
2. Imhotep/Ardath Bey (The Mummy)
3. Byron Orlok (Targets)
4. The monster (Frankenstein/Bride)
5. Hjalmar Poelzig (The Black Cat)
"Propelled across the land in a carriage of no horse drawn, belching Satan's black wind into our clean and local air"
It is a favourite horror movie of mine and I have no doubt that Boris Karloff gives one of his best performances. The others are also good, such as the late Alan Napier as St Aubyn.
shareSaw it again last night....the whole time I was thinking to myself...why Karloff never won an oscar? Black Cat, Isle of the Dead, Body Snatchers etc etc...one of the most underrated actors from the studio system.
shareI've never much been into the genre, but I've read so much about Lewton lately that I decided to rent all of his stuff. So far I've seen this and Zombie and enjoyed them very much. I totally agree that Karloff was underrated and sadly typecast. I thought he was good in this and I'm looking forward to seeing the others, but he was simply amazing as Frankenstein's Monster. I think he spoke two words in the original, but he revealed the monster's feelings so touchingly and imbued him with so much humanity! If he ever deserved the Oscar it was for that role. But of course Oscars are never given for such roles.
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I think that Karloff's work for Val Lewton is regarded as his very best, with the possible exception of some of his earliest Universal work, and Targets at the very end. I would put Body Snatcher just ahead and then tie this film and Bedlam for second place among the Lewtons.
It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices
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His gradual degradation from a strong decisive leader to being weak and superstitious is brilliant
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