Island of Lost Souls (Criterion Collection) (DVD)

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. Wellss 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.

Starring: Charles Laughton, Richard Arlen, Leila Hyams, Bela Lugosi, Kathleen Burke, Robert Kortman, Alan Ladd, Bob Kortman, Bob Milasch, Duke York, Larry "Buster" Crabbe, Panther Woman, Randolph Scott, Arthur Hohl, Stanley Fields, Paul Hurst, Hans Steinke, Tetsu Komai, George Irving, Harry Ekezian, Rosemary Grimes, Joe Bonomo, Constantine Romanoff, Jack Burdette, Robert Milasch, Duke Yorke, Buster Brodie, John George, Jack Walters, Robert Kerr, Evangelus Berbas