Review by Red-Barracuda

Island of Lost Souls (1932) was one of the more controversial horror movies of the 30's. It was made pre-Hays Code and was regarded as quite shocking and perverse for its time. Fast forward 45 years later and U. S. independent studio AIP stepped in and remade this film. In the event, it not only was not shocking at all by 70's standards but was also somewhat bigger budget and classier than AIP films generally were. Its cast certainly gave some clues that this one had money behind it, with Burt Lancaster as Dr Moreau, Michael York as shipwreck survivor Andrew Braddock, Barbara Carrera as the love interest and Nigel Davenport a bit of cynical mercenary muscle. The story is basically the same, albeit, it massively cuts to the chase with this one and just gets on with it without any pre-island messing about whatsoever, with York's character shipwrecked on a remote island at the turn of the century; an island, more to the point, where genetic experiments are carried out by the doctor of the title, turning people into animal hybrids - humanimals!

This one benefits from great on-location tropical sets and fun Planet of the Apes style make-up effects for the humanimals. The cast all acquit themselves well too, even if Lancaster's Moreau is a little less perverse than Charles Laughton's original interpretation in Island of Lost Souls. Its overall a fine bit of period-set sci-fi, which has enough production value about it to ensure it gets the job done with something to spare. If you enjoyed this one then 1979's Island of the Fish Men could be worth checking out as well - it's a slightly sillier Italian riff on this kind of thing, which also manages to include a nice tropical backdrop and half-decent cast.