ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945) (Warner Archive Blu-ray Review)

ISLE OF THE DEAD (1945)

Label: Warner Archive Collection

Region Code: Region-Free

Rating: Unrated
Duration: 72 Minutes 
Audio: English DTS HD-Master Audio 2.0 with Optional English Subtitles
Video: 1080p HD Full Frame (1.37:1)

Director:  Mark Robson

Cast: Boris Karloff, Ellen Drew, Marc Cramer, Katherine Emery, Helene Thimig, Alan Napier, Jason Robards Sr., Ernst Deutsch, Sherry Hall, Erick Hanson, Skelton Knaggs

The Val Lewton (Curse of the Cat People) produced, Mark Robson (Earthquake) directed Isle of the Dead (1945) stars Boris Karloff (The Body Snatcher) as Greek General Pherides, whose troop have won a bloody battle during the Balkan War (1912-1913). The war has been hard fought, and made worse by a septicemic plague that has been sweeping the land, which military Dr. Drossos (Ernst Deutsch, The Third Man) has attempted to keep at bay.

At the start of the film Pherides is meeting with an American reporter Oliver Davis (Marc Cramer), whom he invites to join him on a boat ride to nearby burial island to pay respects to  his long-dead wife,  but upon arriving they find that her crypt has been desecrated by graverobbers seeking antiquities. Nearby they hear the sound of a woman singing, following the sound they come upon a home owned by a retired Swiss archeologist named Dr. Aubrecht (Jason Robards, Sr., Bedlam), who invites them to stay.

Also staying at the Aubrecht home are his superstitious Greek housekeeper Madame Kyra (Helen Thimig, Cloak and Dagger), a British diplomat Mr. St. Aubyn (Alan Napier, Alfred from the 60's Batman!) and his sickly wife Mary (Katherine Emery, Strange Bargain), her youthful Greek servant Thea (Ellen Drew, The Monster and the Girl), and an visiting English businessman named Andrew Robbins (Skelton Knaggs, House of Dracula).

It soon becomes evident that the plague has stricken the inhabitants of the burial island when one of the visiting guests is found dead after succumbing to it. Pherides summons Dr. Drossos, who officially declarers it the plague and declares a quarantine, establishing a strict regiment of hand-washing and social distancing and the of wearing a cloth face mask. Hmm, sound familiar doesn't it? Madame Kyra attributes the plague to the servant girl Thea (Ellen Drew), whom she accuses of being a supernatural creature, a vorvolaka, a vampire like demon who drains the energy of it's victims. Pherides dismisses such superstition thought initially, but as the plague spreads and more lives are lost insanity and paranoia begin to take hold on the household, and supernatural attributions begin to sound like a rational idea.

Of all the Val Lewton produced pictures this might be my least favorite, and while I still enjoy the moody atmosphere and visuals, the initial set-up doesn't lead to a decent build-up and the final moments, while offering some premature burial and murderous mayhem, isn't overly gripping or satisfying. Boris Karloff makes for an imposing figure, a good man driven mad by his endeavor to do good, but the movie itself is only just alright when compared to Val Lewton's other productions. 

Audio/Video: Isle of the Dead (1945) arrives on region-free Blu-ray from Warner Archive with a brand new 2021 1080p HD Master sourced from 4K scan of original nitrate camera negative. Presented in the original 1.37:1 framing the black and white lensed visuals are strong, the moody film is bathed in shadow and they are wonderfully replicated here with deep blacks. Contrast is strong throughout, there's a thin layer of grain throughout, and fine details in faces and clothing textures shine in the close-ups. 

Audio comes by way of uncompressed English DTS-HD MA mono with optional English subtitles. The audio sounds great, very clean and sharp, and the fantastic score from  longtime Disney composer Leigh Harline (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) also sounds terrific. 

The single-disc release arrives in a standard keepcase with a single-sided sleeve of artwork featuring the fantastic original movie poster artwork, an excerpt of which is used on the Blu-ray disc itself, a cool image of a menacing looking Karloff.

Extras include a brand new audio commentary from  

Screenwriter/Film Historian Dr. Steve Haberman, who is a go-to authority on these Val Lewton produced classics, I rather enjoyed his contributions to both the The Body Snatcher (1945) and The Curse of the Cat People (1944) Blu-rays that Scream Factory produced, and this is not different. We also get a 2-minute trailer for the film  with burned-in Spanish subtitling. 

The film was originally slated to be released by Scream Factory who had already licensed and released the Val Lewton produced film The Leopard Man, The Curse of the Cat People, The Body Snatcher on Blu-ray. Then it was cancelled, not sure why that was but maybe these  Val Lewton classics did not sell well enough for Scream Factory to continue with it. Personally I think they should have licensed the entire series and initially released it as a box set, but nobody cares what I think, hahaha. Thankfully Warner Archive stepped up to the plate and will continue to get these film out on Blu-ray, I still need I Walked with a Zombie, The 7th Victim, Bedlam, and Ghost Ship on Blu-ray! 

Special Features:
- NEW! Commentary by Screenwriter/Film Historian Dr. Steve Haberman

- Original Theatrical Trailer with Spanish Subtitles

Warner Archive's Blu-ray of Isle of the Dead (1945) looks and sounds fantastic, and I love that they included a new audio commentary for it with Steve Haberman. While it's not by favorite from Karloff or Val Lewton I am such a fan of both that if it ends up on Blu-ray it will end up on my movie shelf without regret, 'nuff said. That it's such a fine looking release and we get a new audio commentary is just the cherry on top. 

Screenshot from the Blu-ray: