Dead Man's Island (1996 TV Movie) User Reviews (13)

Jeannie meets Capt. Kirk meets Cornelius meets Juliet meets Ralph Malph

[lee_eisenberg · 6/10 · 1 November 2013]

I knew nothing about "Dead Man's Island" when I started watching it, other than the casting of Barbara Eden and William Shatner (whose famous shows aired during the same years on NBC in the '60s), and the setting on an island. As it progressed I noticed a little similarity between the movie and Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None". In the end the movie turned out to be OK, not great. What caught my eye throughout the movie was that Eden's reporter stood out from the rest of the characters: most of them wear neutral colors most of the time, but she almost always wears bright colors, as though she's an anomaly in this group.

What I mainly say about the movie is that the casting of Barbara Eden, William Shatner, Roddy McDowall, Olivia Hussey and Don Most means that a beautiful genie meets a captain traveling through space meets an intelligent ape meets drama's most famous lover meets a 1950s goof-ball.

Comedy unintentional

[scottssherwood · 5/10 · 9 January 2006]

I've just finished watching this movie and i found it quite enjoyable if unintentionally funny.

If you love a little pot boiler murder mystery in the afternoon, this is your movie. don't expect too much from it and you'll enjoy. true, some of the stock lines and characters are in there. This is like an Agatha Christie movie really - the characters are two-dimensional but you're not here for that, are you? the mystery's the thing!

and an impressive cast as well. i think they all did it for the pocket money myself. hey, you gotta eat, even in Hollywood! just tune in, turn off the brain, relax and enjoy the ride. oh, be warned. you get to see William Shatner in a bathing suit...

The Agatha Christie spirit lives on!

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 23 July 2008]

Essentially a reworking of familiar Agatha Christie formulas, "Dead Man's Island" is not a great movie, but I'm just glad that mysteries of this type are still being made. A remote island, a huge house, assassination attempts, family secrets, an amateur detective, and about a dozen suspects. But there is at least one rather unique twist on the formula (don't read the following sentence if you want to avoid SPOILERS: Usually when a character becomes the target of an unknown killer in these movies, he (or she) either gets killed in the first half ,or he (or she) survives to the end; here, NEITHER of those two things happens!). And then there's the cast: where else could you see people like David Faustino (of "Married With Children" fame), Traci Lords, and William Shatner all together? Nowhere. Though this movie largely belongs to Barbara Eden, who is not only the narrator and the amateur detective of the story, but also one of the HOTTEST 60+ years old actresses you'll ever see. Seriously, she makes even Traci Lords herself almost invisible. (**1/2)

Popular TV stars make corny whodunit interesting

[hollywoodshack · 7/10 · 25 March 2020]

William Shatner is a millionaire convinced someone is trying to kill him and Barbara Eden is a journalist and an old girlfriend of his trying to solve the mystery on a creepy island mansion. Whodunit plows along and some secrets from his past add to confusion. Ending surprises but somewhat disappoints, too. The underemployed stars playing the parts help keep it watchable. An Indian giving boat rides also mentions a little history behind the real Dead Man's Island in Vancouver.

Drivel.

[nathid · 8 August 2001]

I hated this movie. The title and plot description may make it sound interesting, but believe me - it isn't.

The first scene sees our hero, Barbara Eden getting into a boat to go to the island, when an Indian man - who happens to be sat at the dock - tells her, "That was Dead Man's Island. And it will be again.", or words to that effect.

From then on, I could tell what sort of entertainment I was in for. The plot was completely unrealistic - in a bad way. Every cliche in the book was present here - I could predict every twist, including the ending, before it had happened.

To be frank - for a TV thriller - this film didn't thrill me at all. I don't know why Barbara Eden - a fine actress - ever agreed to do this. She probably did it in an attempt to rescue it, but unfortunately, she is beaten by the poor script and talentless cast members, (including William Shatner, who I used to think was talented).

It will be a dead man's island if somebody gets their way.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 18 April 2023]

With William Shatner, the businessman owner of an island paradise, believing that somebody on the island is trying to kill him, he beams up journalist ex Barbara Eden to help him try to figure out who. There's his much, MUCH younger trashy, wife (Traci Lords), son Christopher Atkins, piano playing actress ex-lover Morgan Fairchild, dandy Roddy McDowall, servant Olivia Hussey, as well as Jameson Parker and Christopher Cazenove. Probably too many characters, but each of them has a great moment, with secrets of everyone being revealed throughout. This leads to a lot of delightful over-the-top performances and some amusingly campy dialog.

By 1996 standards, this is pretty old fashioned in nature, having been done with very similar mysteries written by the master herself, Agatha Christie, and those had the benefit of being set in exotic places in the past, while this island isn't really all that exciting. Eden's character provides a nice narration as if she was writing a mystery based upon her own personal experience, so it comes off as a "Murder She Wrote" rip-off. McDowall is basically playing a modern version of the same character he played in "Evil Under the Sun". Made enjoyable by the camp element and presence of many veteran TV stars (Don Most being the biggest unintentional laugh simply by his presence), this scores a higher rating simply because of shear audacity.

A Great Movie, Lots Of Suspense and Mystery, Great cast

[pat-176 · 10/10 · 17 November 1999]

A fine movie with a rather unusual plot. William Shatner who plays Chase Prescott , a man with a business empire is very well cast. Barbara Eden as his designated detective is excellent and very convincing. It seems that everyone on the island except Barbara Eden (Henri O) is suspected of trying to murder him. Many mysterious occurrences makes the viewer wonder what is going to happen next. Henri O (Barbara Eden) as the detective is also in great jeopardy. William Shatner and especially Barbara Eden are very convincing. As in all her movies Barbara is always in control and courageous.

Suspensful Movie,Great Actors,William Shatner & Barbara Eden

[pat-176 · 10/10 · 8 June 2002]

I enjoyed every minute of this, sure there were cliches, but who cares. The only thing which would have improved it is if (Henri O')Barbara Eden was in danger instead of Chase (Shatner).That would have increased the suspense. Also she should have worn a pink, purple or orchid pant suit instead of green, which would have suited other hypercritical viewers better but that is just an unimportant preference. I felt there was a lot of mystery as to who was trying to kill Chase (Shatner). He wasn't especially likeable. Mystery, suspense, surprise, all the good ingredients for a good movie. Would make any normal viewer happy.

A murder mystery!

[Jerry-9 · 10/10 · 11 September 1999]

What can I say! It has Barbara Eden in it and that is all you need! A rich man who believes someone is out to kill him hires his ex to solve the case. Who would want to divorce Barbara? Check it out if you can!

Wonderful film

[ehsbanddancer · 10/10 · 30 January 2006]

I wish I had a copy. I didn't have time to record it onto VHS. It was so good. Awesome star power. Wonderful script. A perfect movie. One of Barbara Eden's best. Loved the storm effects. The explosion. W H A T AAA+ flick No disappointments Suspenseful Really keeps you on your toes. Too good to miss. They should show it more often. Especially, instead of awful reality shows. Very good movie. 100 stars. Kudos to the cast and director. I'm not too big on Shatner, but what a performance. Morgan Fairchild was brilliant. And Barbara Eden's acting is unparalleled. Wish they'd put it on video or DVD. I would buy it if I had the chance.

Fantastic

[Guccichic · 10/10 · 14 October 2001]

One of the best films I have seen. I can understand people's comments about clichéd themes, but the acting is great. It has beautiful scenery, and a good plot. I have been trying to get it on video, but, obviously, is not available. I believe it is an enigmatic, atmospheric film with great music and attitude. Fabulous!

brilliantly bad

[david-413 · 12 August 2001]

Caught Dead Man's Island on ITV in the UK recently and was completely bowled over by how stupendously bad it was. It was brilliant! What a cast -- Barbara Eden! William Shatner! Morgan Fairchild! Traci Lords!!!! Don (not Donny) Most!!! Christopher Atkins! Olivia Hussey! (poor thing) Malcom McDowell!! (Wasn't Rosie Grier available?) The writing and the acting were cringe-inducing from the start.

Overflowing with cliches -- the tough but genteel Southern journo-cum-investigator (that would be Barb Eden, playing Henrietta O'something -- better known as Henry O.), the wealthy industrialist (that would be Shatner as Chase Prescott), the secluded island cursed by Indian legend. I'm not making this up!

Best of all was Barbara Eden's outrageous lime green poly-blend pantsuit she wore as she interrogated the others about their whereabouts when the shots rang out that nearly killed Chase Prescott. Barbara, honey, you look positively Boca Ra