Imagine if The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes dropped their respective western locations and opted for an island getaway. Well, the result would probably be Po-Chih Leong’s The Island, which is a nightmare excursion for six young students and their teacher to an all but deserted island, and it’s available now on Blu-ray from Eureka Entertainment in the UK.
Much of the groundwork for what we now consider standards in the slasher and survival horror sub-genres was well established by the mid-80s, thanks to Hollywood, which proved to be very lucrative. The Island is clearly an attempt to capitalise on the popularity of these tropes, and it manages to replicate the style to the point that it’s very recognisable to Western audiences.
We have a trio of twisted brothers, one mentally handicapped, who are all that remain living on the titular island after the passing of their domineering mother. When they meet their new visitors, they’re smacking their lips at the thought of snatching up the females as a means of continuing what is clearly an already defective genetic line.
At an ideal length of 92 minutes, The Island is paced well. We have a horrific opening that sets the tone of what’s to come, followed by the arrival of our protagonists, whom we spend ample time with as they eagerly explore the exotic location. The film is at its best when portraying the awkward interactions between both camps of characters. There is a lot of tension and intimidation, not to mention the very visceral sexual threat of violence, which does go bit too far as the mayhem takes well and true take over the film. However, the students do apply some common sense and logic, which is often lacking when the boogeymen are in pursuit, much to the frustration of the audience.
I think many would find it easy to compare The Island to the glob of green snot running from the nose of the half-witted brother, but that’s probably a bit harsh. While at times, it’s a nasty little film, our vile inhabitants do get their violent comeuppance at the hands of the young heroes.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Limited Edition [2000 copies]
- Limited edition O-card slipcase featuring new artwork by Ilan Shead
- Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring an interview with Po-Chih Leong and revised introduction notes on The Island by film writer, producer and film festival executive Roger Garcia
- Original Cantonese mono
- Optional English subtitles, newly translated for this release
- New audio commentary with East Asian cinema expert Frank Djeng (NY Asian Film Festival)
- New audio commentary with genre cinema experts Mike Leeder and Arne Venema
- Surviving the Shoot – interview with director Po-Chih Leong from 2023 courtesy of Frédéric Ambroisine
- Trailer
Viewers interested in learning more about The Island’s cast and crew should definitely give either of this disc’s commentary tracks a listen, especially considering the limited information (in English) out there on them. Fans who prefer the back-and-forth banter of a moderating team will get a kick out of Mike Leeder and Arne Venema, who share great chemistry. However, while solo, Frank Djeng’s talking style is very upbeat and conversational, plus he gives additional cultural context to the narrative, which explains various character dynamics and why our heroes are taking this trip in the first place.
Featurettes-wise, Tony Rayns’ 15-minute interview is a short deep-dive into The Island’s background, which does a good job of summarising the film’s themes for those who don’t want to sit through an entire commentary. Meanwhile, Po-Chih Leong’s interview gives an amusing rundown of the trials of shooting a low-budget film with an inexperienced cast in a dangerous environment. – by Hannah Lynch
VIDEO AND AUDIO
Presented from a brand new 2K restoration, The Island does not lose its gritty quality from an improved 1.85:1 image, as there’s still a lot of texture, but with enhanced colours. With most of the film taking place at night, the action is still visible while maintaining solid black levels. Original Cantonese 2.0 Mono is basic, especially with dialogue, but that’s typical of film from that period. English subtitles are included, and while it’s obvious that some words have been substituted for the sake of clear translation, they’re easy to read and follow.
Most will leave The Island very satisfied, but it’s not something we haven’t seen before. Of course, its main appeal is for viewers to see and experience how Hong Kong tackles this brand of horror, and whether it outshines its Western predecessors. I think it floats nicely in the middle.
THE ISLAND
(1985, director: Po-Chih Leong)
★★★½
direct blu-ray screen captures
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