Watch Isle of the Snake People

Isle of the Snake People, also known as La Muerte viviente, is a 1971 horror film that stars Boris Karloff, Julissa, and Carlos East. Directed by Juan Ibañez and Jack Hill, the movie was filmed in Mexico and presents a thrilling storyline that follows a young woman's adventure in a remote island. The movie's plot revolves around a journalist named Annabella Ciorescu (played by Julissa) who sets out to investigate a series of mysterious deaths that have occurred on the Isle of the Snake People. After arriving on the island, she discovers that the inhabitants worship an ancient deity called Damballa and perform strange rituals to appease the god. However, the island's governor, Carl van Molder (played by Carlos East) is determined to exploit the island's resources and enslave the natives for his own profit.

Soon, Annabella finds herself trapped on the island with a group of strangers who are all fighting for their survival against the reptilian cultists. Despite being warned by the locals to leave the island, Annabella decides to stay and uncover the truth behind the island's secrets. She soon realizes that the island is home to a mad scientist named von Molder who is using human sacrifices to create an army of half-human, half-snake creatures.

Throughout the movie, the audience is treated to a blend of suspense, horror, and action as Annabella and her companions try to escape the island alive. The film also features hauntingly atmospheric music and chilling visuals that create a genuine sense of dread and foreboding. The characterization of the actors is well done, making the audience emotionally invested in the characters, even those who may not last for the entire runtime.

Boris Karloff, who was 82 years old at the time of filming and in fragile health, appears only briefly in the film as an aging doctor, but his presence adds to the movie's eerie and ominous atmosphere. Despite his limited screen time, his performance is still no less captivating and awe-inspiring. This was to be Karloff's last film before his death only two months after filming concluded.

Though the plot of the film may seem at first glance to be a standard horror trope of the time, Isle of the Snake People ultimately deviates from typical horror formulas to become a unique and engrossing experience. It manages to generate an aura of horror that is perpetually present and overwhelming even when the action is not front-and-center. The film's unique blend of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and adventure elements makes for a memorable experience that will stay with viewers long after its conclusion.

In conclusion, Isle of the Snake People is a unique and engrossing horror movie that stands the test of time. It is a well-crafted, well-acted, and well-directed work of art in the horror genre that will appeal to fans of both classic and modern horror. The film is a testament to the power of good storytelling and excellent filmmaking, making it a cult classic still watched today.

Isle of the Snake People is a 1971 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.4.