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

ADDITION: Warner Archive Blu-ray (May 2021): Warner Archive have transferred Mark Robson's Isle Of The Dead to Blu-ray. The 72-minute film is on a single-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The quality various from film-inherent softness to other sequences that are tighter by comparisons. This seems totally in-line with the limitations of the original production and vault materials are in fine shape with no marks or untoward damage. Contrast is consistent on the 1.37:1 image and it looks very strong on my system.  

NOTE: We have added 68 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Warner Archive use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. The film has effects from wind and creaking crypt doors but nothing with excessive aggression. The score is by Leigh Harline (23 Paces to Baker Street, The Enemy Below, Pickup on South Street, House of Bamboo, Broken Lance) occasionally sounding ominous - with an air of mystery. Very solid in the lossless with a very mild hiss notable at times. Warner Archive offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray offers, what I believe is a new, commentary by Dr. Steve Haberman (author of Chronicles of Terror: Silent Screams). I recall his excellent commentaries on The Body Snatcher, The Seventh Victim, the 1934 The Black Cat and 1935's The Raven, and even Village of the Damned (1960) but on the DVD Lewton set, I don't believe there was a commentary for Isle of the Dead. He announces the film as one of the most subtle and philosophical of vampire films, how it was a loose adaptation of Sheridan Le Fanu's 1872 Gothic lesbian vampire novella Carmilla. He discusses the Vorvolaka (or Vrykolakas) the harmful, undead creature in Greek folklore of the film, how Lewton was intent on not making the typical Universal horrors of the era. He talks about everyone in the cast and crew from composer Leigh Harline to Alan Napier, Jason Robards Sr. and more. It would seem quicker to discuss what he doesn't talk about in the commentary as he covers and incredible amount. A thoroughly revealing, educational and enjoyable commentary - one that would be appropriate to listen to multiple times. After that is only a trailer with Spanish subtitles.

As far as I am concerned Val Lewton's Isle Of The Dead is essential for any Blu-ray collection. The commentary on the Warner Archive disc is exceptional. The film's poetic realization may take a back seat to some of the producer's other RKO masterwork horrors directed by Jacques Tourneur but this is a unique and atmospheric vampiric mediation echoing a psychological thriller. I only wish it was longer. The Blu-ray, and its wonderful original-poster cover art, gets a very strong recommendation! 

Gary Tooze