A troubled American miner named Will (Kirk Douglas) finds himself with the quiet and boring job as an assistant lighthouse keeper in the isolated shores of South America. He left behind a failed relationship after he killed a man in self-defense. Now his days are lazy and bitter. This all changes when a pirate ship lands on the island. They kill his two mates and try to hunt him down. The Captain (Yul Brynner) plans to use the lighthouse to trap ships and steal their cargo. But Will is not going to be killed without a fight. 

The Light at the Edge of the World (1971) is a surprising little thriller that seems to be buried under a misleading ad campaign and the public’s knowledge of its source writer Jules Verne. One of the most famous film adaptations of his work is the Walt Disney classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Also starring Kirk Douglas), and that film’s tone could not prepare you for the harshness and cruelty in this 1971 sleeper. Based on the 1905 novel The Lighthouse at the End of the World, Light is tight plenty of survival fantasy and sudden violence that could come from Italian action and Cannibal films. There is even one nasty scene where a character slowly gets flesh ripped off his chest. 

The film quickly from quiet character study with Douglas and his co-workers to a nail-biting 30 minutes of Douglas surviving on his own while hiding out in the rocks, aided by his witts and a knife. The film even leaves in the detail where he can’t force open the gun cabinet. It’s a shame that director Kevin Billington wasn’t better known. These early scenes are packed with great little moments that are captured by him, Douglas, and director of photography Henri Dacae (Purple Noon). The island is showcased in all it’s rough and bleak detail. Every inch of the frame is filled with the scope of the island. They also slowly give you information on Will’s life and keep the focus on his need to survive.

Kirk Douglas (The Vikings, Out of the Past) gives one of his best performances in this obscure gem. He is able to balance the quiet moments of regret while also showing the boiling rage as he gets closer and closer to his breaking point. Yul Brynner (Kings of the Sun, The King and I) gets to be charming as ever, while also showing some brutal moments of sadism. Midway through the movie, we get a plot twist when a boat wrecks ashore. One of the survivors is Samantha Eggar (The Brood, Curtains, Walk Don’t Run) who at first seems like a woman in trouble, but slowly starts to show her cruel logic in the face of danger. In the supporting cast, we get fine roles from Fernando Rey, Renato Salvatori, Massimo Ranieri, and Jean-Claude Drouot.

Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray is a beautiful sight to see for a forgotten gem like this. The 1080p HD picture is simply wonderful. The Henri Dacae photography is given the grand treatment with loving detail on the colors and the focus. There is a couple of moments when the image shakes at the start of the movie, and there is also some light print damage during a close up with the miniature boat. The colors are vivid and there is some film grain. It doesn’t appear to have any DNR issues. 

The 2.0 English DTS-HD Master Audio is also splendid with no hiss or pops. The musical score is a little soft, but the effects and dialogue are well balanced. English subtitles are included.

In terms of extras we have:

• Audio commentary with film historians Howard S Berger and Nathaniel Thompson. The track has some audio clips from an interview with producer Ilya Salknd. The track has some good information about the film’s themes and dummy deaths. But some of the readings seem long-winded. The track is also filled with sound issues. Both mics seem to drop off while also having a loud room tone. It seems like the track was recorded in a hurry with not much time for edits.
• A radio spot for the movie.
• A Trailer gallery featuring The Light at the End of the World, The Way West, The Indian Fighter, The Vikings, File of the Golden Goose, Kings of the Sun, and Adios Sabata.

Kino Lorber gives a great transfer to a movie that deserves more attention then it gets. Highly recommended.

Director- Kevin Billington

Cast- Kirk Douglas, Yul Brynner

Country of Origin- USA/ Spain

Discs-1

Distributor- Kino Lorber

Reviewer- Tyler Miller