NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: 88 Films Blu-ray (August 2024): 88 Films have transferred Terence Fisher's Island of Terror to Blu-ray. It is cited as being "Re-Graded High Definition". We compared the 2014 Odeon (UK) and 2017 Shout! Factory Blu-rays of "Island of Terror" HERE, and to screen captures below. I think this improves over both previous Blu-rays, more noticeably on the out-of-print Odeon transfer. Colors shift and become bolder, contrast has brighter whites and deeper black levels, flesh tones warm...  I can't state which colors are more theatrically accurate but we do like differences and this is that looking 'newer' and visually pleasing.

This new release is in the 1.66:1 aspect ratio. NOTE: Phil tells us in email: "Despite IMDb and others "fall-back" citing of 1.66 aspect ratio in Europe, this tends to be incorrect for most films in the 1960s. "Island of Terror" was more likely composed for 1.75, and, as such, the 1.78 aspect ratio on the Shout! Factory Blu-ray would be more theatrically accurate than the 1.66. This myth of most films in England being 1.66 in the 1960s seems to be one of those "legend becomes fact so print the legend" things. While 1954 saw 1.66 as the predominant British widescreen format, by the 1960s that aspect ratio was seldom used and 1.75 & 1.85 became predominant." (Thanks Phil!)

NOTE: We have added 48 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, 88 Films use a linear PCM dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Island of Terror has eerie creature sounds, fire, explosions ('petrol bombs', dynamite,) rifles, with a effective degree of impact - notably in the higher end. There is a dramatic, often alarming, score by Malcolm Lockyer (Deadlier Than the Male, Doctor Who and the Daleks, Night of the Big Heart, The Brides of Fu Manchu, The Vengeance of Fu Manchu, Bang Bang, You're Dead, Ten Little Indians.) assisting the mood of investigation and danger. It sounds clean and reasonably buoyant in the uncompressed. 88 Films offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'B'-locked Blu-ray.

The 88 Films Blu-ray offers a new commentary by film journalist David Flint (co-author of Horror Out Of Control.) He tells us all about this Planet Film Production, Night of the Big Heat, the cast; Cushing, Judd, Rhodesia-born Carole Gray and supporting players. I enjoyed his information and observant analysis. There is also an original trailer and stills gallery. There are liner notes with a booklet essay; Beware the Silicates on the Island of Terror!  by Barry Forshaw author of British Gothic Cinema. The package has a reversible sleeve featuring wonderful new artwork by Sean Longmore and original poster art.

Terence Fisher's Island of Terror evokes 1963's Day of the Triffids (if ever a title screamed out for a Blu-ray release...) We tend to pair Island of Terror with Planet Film's other comparable Brit-sci-fi effort Night of the Big Heat. Here we get an effective bone-sucking creature (a 'silicate') not dissimilar to a Galapagos giant tortoise with a snaky tentacle. It evolved from the potentially discovered cure for Cancer. Island of Terror has intrepid Peter Cushing (The Brides of Dracula,) bossy Edward Judd (The Day the Earth Caught Fire) and distractive Carole Gray (Curse of the Fly.) It's just one of those imperfect genre films that I enjoy rewatching. The 88 Films Blu-ray has the new vibrant appearance, edifying commentary and very cool cover art. A keeper for me.

Gary Tooze