The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936)
After healing the leg of the murderer John Wilkes Booth, responsible for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, perpetrated on April 14, 1865, during a performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington; Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, considered part of the atrocious conspiracy, is sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to the sinister Shark Island Prison.
- John Ford
- Edward O'Fearna
- Nunnally Johnson
Rating: 6.9/10 by 49 users
Alternative Title:
O prisioneiro da ilha dos Tubarões - PT
Fangen på Hajøen - DK
El prisionero del odio - ES
Die Insel der Haifische - AT
Sátánsziget foglya - HU
虎鮫島脱獄 - JP
Więzień na wyspie rekinów - PL
Узник острова акул - RU
De gevangene van het Haaieneiland - NL
Country:
United States of America
Language:
English
Runtime: 01 hour 33 minutes
Budget: $0
Revenue: $0
Plot Keyword: yellow fever, based on true story, historical figure, conspiracy, physician, island prison, 19th century, abraham lincoln, country doctor, prison break attempt
Don't know how I missed this one but it's a great thriller. From the title you'd never guess it's an historical drama about Dr. Samuel Mudd who infamously helped set Lincoln's killer's broken leg. The history goes from suspect to flat out wrong -- and it's almost pro-slavery -- but if you can look past that it's a hell of a tall tale. Warner Baxter is put through the ringer and he does very well in this a very physical role -- much more entertaining that his smiling lover roles he usually did. Also a standout is the lean, terrifying John Carridine. Not to be forgotten is some thrilling scenes in the prison. And, yes, there are sharks!
