Watch Chandu on the Magic Island

Chandu on the Magic Island is a 1935 fantasy-adventure movie directed by William Cameron Menzies and Marcel Varnel. The film stars the iconic Bela Lugosi as Roxor, a power-hungry villain who is intent on taking over the world by using a deadly ray gun. However, his evil plans are thwarted by Frank Chandler, aka Chandu the Magician, a powerful sorcerer who sets out to stop Roxor and save the world.

The story begins with Roxor, a scientist from a far-off land, who learns about a magical formula that could give him the power to rule the world. He sends his minions to find the person who possesses the formula, but they are unsuccessful. So, he decides to kidnap his rival's family, including his sister-in-law, Princess Nadji. Roxor hopes to lure his rival, Chandu the Magician, to his island lair and force him to reveal the formula.

Chandu, who has mystical powers and is aided by his sister, Dorothy, and their Hindu friend, Abdulah, sets out to rescue Princess Nadji and stop Roxor's evil plans. With the help of his magical powers, Chandu travels to Roxor's island hideout, where he must use his sorcery to battle deadly traps and fend off Roxor's minions.

The movie is full of action-packed scenes, as Chandu tries to outwit Roxor and his henchmen. In one memorable sequence, Chandu battles an enormous cobra that guards the entrance to Roxor's lair. In another, he uses his magic to create a wall of fire to deter Roxor's forces.

One of the standout features of this movie is its impressive special effects. The film features some of the earliest use of green-screen technology to create the illusion of magical powers at work. The sets and costumes are also notable, with the island location adding to the sense of mystery and adventure.

Overall, Chandu on the Magic Island is a fun and exciting adventure movie that showcases Bela Lugosi's talents as a villain. Lugosi's performance as the megalomaniacal Roxor is mesmerizing, and he plays off of the heroic Chandu, played by Edmund Lowe, to create a memorable onscreen rivalry. The supporting cast is also strong, with Maria Alba and Clara Kimball Young giving memorable performances as Princess Nadji and Chandu's aunt, respectively.

Despite being made over 80 years ago, Chandu on the Magic Island still holds up as a thrilling and entertaining adventure movie. The film's blend of action, magic, and suspense makes it a must-see for fans of classic cinema and adventure film buffs alike.

Chandu on the Magic Island is a 1934 fantasy movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 5 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.