Hell's Island

John Payne is very good--looking even more battered and disillusioned that usual--and Karlson of course does a creditable job, but the screenplay is undistinguished and the movie itself, a familiar mix of noir elements, dies a not so mysterious death. The likely suspects: color photography and a Caribbean setting. This sort of thing cries out for dark city streets photographed in crisp black and white.

A nondescript kind of movie. Very familiar scenario with the usual shadowy characters, convoluted backstory, femme fatale, double-crosses, witnesses suddenly getting killed, and so forth. It's executed well enough but has little spark. Earlier Phil Karlson directed John Payne in 99 RIVER STREET and KANSAS CITY CONFIDENTIAL, both much more exciting and memorable films. Not that Payne is bad here, nor is the direction, it's just a meh movie. Worthwhile if you need a noir fix, but pretty bland.

"Hell's Island" spins its tale around a weak script, featuring a protagonist besieged by betrayal as told in a flashback. The style resembles a comic book, with over-the-top characters vying for a precious ruby. It stands out for its portrayal of consistently ruthless and immoral characters.