Hero's Island NR

Starring: James Mason, Kate Manx, Neville Brand

Hero's Island is not as esoteric as director Leslie Steven's Incubus (which was filmed in Esperanto!), but there's still enough bizarre camera angles and outre performances to please Stevens' hard-core devotees. The film is set on the Carolina coast in the 18th century. British expatriate Brendan Dillon, his wife Kate Manx (who at the time of filming was Mrs. Leslie Stevens) and their three children set up a homestead on remote Bull Island. They are joined in this endeavor by family friend Warren Oates, who becomes the surrogate husband and father when Dillon is killed by murderous local fishermen (including such reliable screen heavies as Rip Torn, Neville Brand and Harry Dean Stanton). Mysterious stranger James Mason (who co-produced the film) shows up on the island and offers to seek retribution for Dillon's murder, but Manx's religious convictions won't allow her to consider killing her enemies. During a final battle with the fishermen, Mason reveals that he is actually the notorious Blackbeard the Pirate. He fends off the attackers and is himself rescued from certain death by Manx, who has come to love him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide