Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.0

Island of Death Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 23, 2015

Nico Mastorakis' "Island of Death" (1976) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Video. The supplemental features on the disc include an original theatrical trailer for the film; video interview with the Greek director; new featurette with film historian Stephen Thrower; alternative opening titles; five original tracks from the film's soundtrack; and more. The release also arrives with a 22-page illustrated booklet featuring: "A Cruel Destination: The History and Legacy of Island of Death" by Johnny Walker and technical credits. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The maniac

In a long interview included on this release, director Nico Mastorakis admits that the main goal of Island of Death was to make money. The film was completed soon after he attended a screening of Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre in Athens and learned that it had become an instant hit amongst filmgoers.

According to Mastorakis, the formula for success was beyond obvious: Direct a far more perverse film than The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and create some controversy with it. All he had to do after that was sit back and watch the press and the censors unintentionally make it a hit. Mastorakis’ primary experience was in TV shows, but he was convinced that his plan would work.

And it did.

Unlike Italy and Spain, Greece was not a hot market for exploitation films, but Island of Death almost single-handedly changed the country’s reputation. After the film was released in 1976, the reactions were so polarizing that it was virtually impossible to ignore it. Its reputation overseas also grew, and by the time the film appeared on the notorious 'video nasty' list in the United Kingdom, it was already a certified cult classic.

So what type of film is Island of Death and why did it become so controversial?

It is a very silly but very extreme film that basically tries to push as many buttons as possible so that it leaves a lasting impression. It has a plot, but it is so absurd and chaotic that even if one takes a long bathroom break and returns for the final fifteen or so minutes, one wouldn’t miss any key character transformations or crucial subplots. Occasionally the scenery changes, but Mastorakis keeps rehashing the same offensive material over and over again.

The entire film takes place on the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos and follows closely Christopher (Robert Behling, The Enforcer) and Celia (Jane Lyle), a wacky British couple on the run. Christopher is a compulsive killer wanted back home, while Celia is just beautiful and looking completely clueless. They have multiple encounters with some colorful characters -- an eccentric gay artist and his bride, a wealthy elderly woman who always gets what she wants, a lesbian who has become addicted to heroin, a naive girl, and some American hippies -- who all die in some very painful ways. Between the killings there are a few decent panoramic shots from Mykonos, but even they seem rushed and poorly edited.

Ultimately, Island of Death is a cheap exploitation film that has become a cult classic for all the wrong reasons. And the fact that it tries so damn hard to offend isn’t why it is a poor film -- it simply does not work. The "story" is terrible, the acting is horrendous, and the camerawork and editing are all over the place.

Arrow Video’s upcoming release contains a fully uncut version of Island of Death, which has been restored in 2K from the original negative. It is approximately 106 minutes long.

Island of Death Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Nico Mastorakis' Island of Death arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Arrow Video.

The film has been restored in 2K and the majority of it looks quite good. Early on, in particular, depth and clarity are excellent (see screencaptures #6 and 7 ). Sharpness levels are also managed very well. Grain is retained and well resolved and there are no traces of compromising digital sharpening. This being said, there are numerous tiny specks and scratches that pop up throughout the entire film. More importantly, there is a rather large section during the final third of the film where sizable color shifts and density fluctuations emerge. Some light warping is visible as well. According to the restoration information supplied by Arrow Video, the current fluctuations can be traced back to the badly damaged Reel 5 of the original negative. (These also include the insertion of select frames from a pre-existing SD master). Despite the fluctuations, however, the film has a convincing organic appearance. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your Blu-ray player regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).

Island of Death Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 1.0. Optional English SDH subtitles have been provided for the main feature.

Generally speaking, depth and clarity are rather pleasing. Balance and overall dynamic intensity are also good. However, there are numerous sequences where the high-frequencies are either partially clipped or there are obvious light distortions. Occasionally, some clicks and pops are also easy to hear. The effects are not overly distracting, but their presence cannot be ignored. According to the restoration information supplied by Arrow Video, the mono soundtrack was transferred by Nico Mastorakis before their project was initiated and these issues were retained.

Island of Death Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Original Theatrical Trailer - original theatrical trailer for Island of Death. In English, not subtitled. (4 min).

• Island Sounds - presented here are the key music themes/tracks heard throughout Island of Death. Music only. (24 min).
  
  1. Do You Love Me Like I Love You
  2. Destination
  3. Melodica Theme
  4. Can You Call It Love?
  5. Action Theme (percussion)

• Alternate Opening Titles - during the years, Island of Death was distributed with a number of different titles. Presented here are alternate opening titles for two such releases.
  
  1. Island of Perversion (1 min).
  2. Devils in Mykonos (2 min).

• The Films of Nico Mastorakis - presented here is a four-part documentary that focuses on the prolific career of Nico Mastorakis. The documentary is hosted by the Greek director himself. In English, not subtitled.
  
  Part 1: From the very beginning to Skyhigh (59 min).
  Part 2: From Zero Boys to Terminal Exposure (24 min).
  Part 3: Nightmare at Noon (36 min).
  Part 4: And Final (41 min).

• Nico Mastorakis Interview - in this video interview, Nico Mastorakis explains how Island of Death came to exist (prior to it the director had vast experience in TV shows and decided to shoot it after he attended a screening of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre in Athens), and discusses its cult status, how the film changed his career, censorship, etc. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Return to Island of Death - in this wonderful featurette, Nico Mastorakis visits some of the original locations on Mykonos where Island of Death was shot. In English, not subtitled. (17 min).

• Exploring Island of Death - in this featurette, film historian Stephen Thrower discusses the production history of Island of Death, its history with the censors, and cult status. In English, not subtitled. (39 min).

• Nico Matorakis Trailer Reel - a collection of trailers for various Nico Mastorakis films. (35 min).

• Booklet - 22-page illustrated booklet featuring: "A Cruel Destination: The History and Legacy of Island of Death" by Johnny Walker and technical credits.

• Cover - reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys.

Island of Death Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Nico Mastorakis' Island of Death is as bad as advertised. It is a cheap exploitation film that does not even come close to matching the atmosphere of Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (the film that inspired it). If for some strange reason you like it and have been waiting for a good home video release to emerge, then you don't want to miss Arrow Video's upcoming Blu-ray. The film has been exclusively restored in 2K and despite some minor source limitations, I am convinced that this will remain its definitive presentation on the home video market. If you don't know anything about Island of Death but want to find out why it appeared on the notorious "video nasty" list in the United Kingdom, my advice is to find a way to rent it first.