Change Your Image
gilchristtartan
Reviews
Hero's Island (1962)
Strange Bit of History
Following up someone claiming this is a notable film of the 60s and not trying to sound oppositional, it is a struggle getting through the early part of this production and when you reach the end, you wonder if it was worth it. This could have been a exciting film with incredible opportunities to feature the life of indentured servitude and lawlessness of that age, plus the beauty of what was supposed to be the location but instead it's more in line with going to a high school play to see James Mason, who alone can't make this work. The casting and acting is as mundane as imaginable. Kate Manx overacts in an outfit and glamourous appearance which is more sci-fi than someone who has just become free from indentured servitude. Her lines are the quintessential Christianity talking points that make people who are even faithful Christians run away. None of the characters offer any depth or interest except Mason in parts, along with Neville Brand who outacts the rest of the cast by simply sitting in a chair and looking threatening. You can't relate or get behind anyone emotionally. The fight scene employs some of the worst fencing routines, and seems to go on forever. Somehow Mason and Brand are sword wrestling in the water and then wind up dueling on a boat with no idea how something that improbable could have happened. The story line is a cut and paste job with people making major decisions or switching loyalties with no in depth reasons. All in all, possibly the only film centered around a fascinating time in history, but somehow coming away weak and disconnected.