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The Prisoner of Shark Island

Play trailer Poster for The Prisoner of Shark Island 1936 1h 35m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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89% Tomatometer 9 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Dr. Samuel Mudd (Warner Baxter) is arrested for being an accomplice to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln (Frank McGlynn Sr.) when he unknowingly aids an injured John Wilkes Booth (Francis McDonald) following the shooting at Ford's Theater. He's sentenced to life in prison and sent to a treacherous penal colony on a remote island in the Dry Tortugas. But when yellow fever breaks out on the island and strikes the prison's doctor, Mudd's medical training becomes invaluable.
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The Prisoner of Shark Island

Critics Reviews

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Frank S. Nugent New York Times Fact can be stranger than fiction, but occasionally fiction gets there first. [The Prisoner of Shark Island] may be accurate historically, but it still reads like a typical Hollywood scenario. Apr 16, 2024 Full Review Abel Green Variety The Prisoner of Shark Island Is a production, histrionic and technical credit, to all concerned. Werner Baxter [gives] perhaps his top acting performance. Apr 16, 2024 Full Review Cinelandia Staff Cinelandia A dramatic and painful film that shows us a new Warner Baxter. [Full review in Spanish] Apr 16, 2024 Full Review Gus McCarthy Motion Picture Herald (Exhibitors Herald) The picture is one that took courage to make. Apr 16, 2024 Full Review P.S. Harrison Harrison's Reports Despite its somber theme, this is a forceful melodrama ; it grips the spectator, and holds his attention throughout. Apr 16, 2024 Full Review Film Daily Staff The Film Daily Emotionally moving, suspenseful and acted with conviction by a good cast, especially Warner Baxter in the title role. Apr 16, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ed M Good movie, but they take liberties with historical facts. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/08/18 Full Review Audience Member Dirigida con un buen pulso , esta es una pelicula que no decae en ningun momento gracias al maesto John Ford. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member An exciting well told story of Dr. Samuel Mudd a man wrongfully accused for aiding John Wilkes Booth just after her assassinated Abraham Lincoln. He is sent to a prison in the Gulf of Mexico called Shark Island. The story is an interesting one & despite the injustice he goes through he remains a moral man. Mudd was played Warner Baxter who did a wonderful job with his role. John Ford truly was an incredible director & this is a great film of perseverance & struggle & victory. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Despite its attempts, this movie is--for the most part--very boring. Probably my least favorite John Ford film I've seen. (Though it still looked great.) Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Really strange prison film about a man accused of plotting to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Very cinematic-looking - especially for the era in which it was made. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/23/23 Full Review Audience Member Netter Film von John Ford der aber die ein oder andere kleinere Länge vorzuweisen hat. 3/5 Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Prisoner of Shark Island

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Cast & Crew

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John Ford

Director

Warner Baxter

Dr. Samuel Mudd

Gloria Stuart

Mrs. Peggy Mudd

Claude Gillingwater Sr.

Col. Jeremiah Milford Dyer

Arthur Byron

Mr. Erickson

O.P. Heggie

Dr. MacIntyre

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The Prisoner of Shark Island

The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Dr. Samuel Mudd (Warner Baxter) is arrested for being an accomplice to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln (Frank McGlynn Sr.) when he unknowingly aids an injured John Wilkes Booth (Francis McDonald) following the shooting at Ford's Theater. He's sentenced to life in prison and sent to a treacherous penal colony on a remote island in the Dry Tortugas. But when yellow fever breaks out on the island and strikes the prison's doctor, Mudd's medical training becomes invaluable.
Director
John Ford
Screenwriter
Nunnally Johnson
Production Co
Twentieth Century Fox
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 12, 1936, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2013
Runtime
1h 35m
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