Island of Terror – 1966 | 89 mins | Horror, Sci-Fi | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Island of Terror was produced by Planet’s Films Tom Blakeley, clearly undaunted by the poor reception accorded to the Lance Comfort directed Devils of Darkness (1965). Planet concocted two further horrors, both science fiction-influenced, both directed by Hammer stalwart Terence Fisher, both set on isolated islands, and both starring Peter Cushing. This was uncredited co-producer Richard Gordon’s first film to be in shot colour, and benefited from the excellent camera work of Reg Wyer.

The result is a modest but curiously likeable film, with a good-value cast, some nifty dialogue and a climatic siege. In particular, the deaths are surprisingly gruesome for a British film from the mid-1960s, with the monsters noisily sucking on the bones of their victims and leaving behind some decidedly floppy corpses.

Fisher’s talent for motivating his actors is as evident as ever, Peter Cushing gives his usual impeccable performance as the male lead ably supported by the criminally under-rated Edward Judd; Carole Gray as his romantic interest.

On a remote island off the coast of Ireland, reclusive researcher Dr. Landers is working on a cure for cancer and accidentally creates a race of bone-sucking creatures dubbed `silicates.’ Meanwhile, a mysterious death has been uncovered by local copper John Harris (Sam Kydd), the victim seemingly reduced to jelly with their bones calcium dissolved. This brings eminent scientists Dr. Brian Stanley (Peter Cushing) and Dr. David West (Edward Judd) to the island to investigate – joined by West’s socialite girlfriend Toni (Carole Gray) who provides the helicopter. The two scientists discover Landers has created a new form of life in his laboratory, and bullets, fire and dynamite won’t stop them from advancing on the island’s populace in search of more feed. After a short time, both the scientists and the islanders are holed up in the village hall as hundreds of silicates advance on them with all methods of deterrence seemingly exhausted. As the prospect of defeat looms large, West prepares to kill his girlfriend before the bone-sucking monsters can get to her.