Brad Sullivan, John O'Leary, Bruce McLaughlin

Based on the novel by JAWS author Peter Benchley, Michael Ritchie’s THE ISLAND is an action-packed high-seas adventure that features a riveting performance from Michael Caine. Caine stars as Blair May...( read more  read more... )nard, an inquisitive British reporter who sets out to investigate a series of mysterious ocean disappearances in the Caribbean, where more than 600 boats have apparently vanished during the course of three years. While flying over the questionable area with his young son in tow, Maynard's airplane crashes into the briny deep. The two are subsequently stranded on an isolated island, uncharted by the modern world. In time they are captured by a group of scraggly, belligerent pirates who have inhabited the remote island for hundreds of years. After enduring horrible tortures, Caine and his young boy attempt to destroy the anachronistic buccaneers and escape their island purgatory.

With THE ISLAND, Ritchie makes the transition to action films with the skill of a true professional. The initial two attacks on unsuspecting families by an unidentified source create a tension that allows the audience to sympathize with Maynard's situation. Technically, the film contains taut editing by Richard A. Harris in addition to yet another supremely effective score by Ennio Morricone, adding even more mood to the proceedings.

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68% liked it

1,154 ratings

R, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Michael Ritchie

Release Date: January 1, 1980

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Flixster Reviews (222)


  • February 14, 2008
    pretty good.
  • May 20, 2009
    GOOD MOVIE - it takes up an important issue of cloning and it's a very good plot - I love the whole furture theme :D
  • October 2, 2008
    scarlett johanson wow wow she looks more cute in this film... and i like the concept of this film scientific... and its ok actions r good.. and suspense too...
  • September 28, 2008
    Interesting futuristic film
  • August 5, 2008
    Yo ho ho, a modern day pirate movie which I think influenced The Hills Have Eyes.
  • July 4, 2008
    I think this movie is really underrated! I finally found an out of print VHS of it and im watchin it now-very cool.I like the premise and its one of Michael Caine's best.
  • April 14, 2008
    Dated, bit slow, but the payoff's great and it's cool to see an R-rated pirate film set in modern times, with Michael Caine kicking ass and some pretty brutal portrayals of "pirate life." Enjoyable piece of genre/b-movie fun that's particularly mean and nasty in places. The .30 c...( read more)al scene at the end was VERY refreshing. :)
  • March 5, 2008
    hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
  • January 14, 2008
    I watched this film last week, it was on the TV. Michael Caine is excellant in this and plays a completely different role to his norm.
    The storyline is very weird though, and it's a bit gorey at the start. But worth watching!

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Comments


  • ThePhoenix255
    July 29, 2007
    What a scary and sick idea! It really moved me because the characters in the underground were so innocent and un-suspecting. Then they were taken apart by people they trusted.
  • bevelmaster2003
    February 10, 2007
    I saw this movie last year, and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

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The Island Trivia


  • Original HG Wells horror story of a deranged scientist who uses his remote island as a base for experiments in creating half human/half animal creatures. With Burt Lancaster?  Answer »
  • In which movie does this quote come from "You have been chosen. The island awaits you"?  Answer »
  • Status Rating Correct One of these movies is NOT based on a story by scifi-author Philip K. Dick: Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, The Island, Paycheck, Impostor, Screamer, A Scanner Darkly.   Answer »
  • is the second movie version of the H.G. Wells science fiction novel about a scientist who attempts to convert animals into people starring val kilmer  Answer »

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