Kirpianuscus
Kirk Douglas. and Yul Brynner. and a realistic story of survive. the atmosphere is the same from many films of genre from the period. the clear definition of evil does the difference. because it not propose only a black- white conflict. the nuances of gray, the inspired use of clichés, the portrait of pirates- who is far to be an usual one-, a good role for Brynner as more than the bad guy but a strange, cold blood, sadistic leader of a group of savages, the same status of Kirk Douglas as hero with few dark shadows of past, the terrible scene of arrival of pirate ship, the fight scenes are good points of an old fashion adventure film who reminds performances- Fernando Rey, in a short presence -, reimpose names - Renato Salvatori or Samantha Eggar- and the real flavor of genre.
Kieran Green
Pirates led by the supremely evil Yul Brynner, take over a lighthouse run by Kirk Douglas, Fernando Rey on a rocky island. They then execute a devious plan to cause ships to run aground, pillaging their wrecks. Douglas survives, and he desperately fights their plot whilst plotting and planning to avoid Brynners gang of demented bloodthirsty savages, Sammantha Eggar is the shipwrecked maiden that avoids the pirates slaughter soon complicates the situation. 'The Light At The Edge Of The World' is based on a novel by Jules Verne. It is nothing short of thrilling and for it's time shocking, It deserves a little more recognition.
qormi
One of my favorite films of all-time. Unusual because the pirates depicted in this movie are all too real. None of the romanticizing Errol Flynn or Jack Sparrow stuff. These pirates were shockingly ruthless and a real sense of danger permeates the film. Yul Brynner and Kirk Douglas bring intensity to their roles. Brynner as the egotistic sociopath who is the leader of the cutthroats and Douglas as a man who must deal with a desperate situation in a fight for survival. Samantha Eggar as a woman with flawed instincts for her own preservation evokes frustration and pity. From the brutal opening scenes, the message is clear that these pirates don't play. A sense of urgency then takes over until the final outcome. A great movie!
Wizard-8
I'd never heard of this Jules Verne story before watching this movie - and after watching this movie, I think I know why. I don't know how closely this movie follows the story, but since there is hardly any action - or dialogue - I'd guess the story is a dull romp as well.Poor special effects, lack of continuity, subplots barely treaded on then abandoned, the worst mannequins-for-bodies you can think of, characters that act stupid (especially Eggar's character) make a movie that you can miss. I have no idea why Douglas was attracted to this movie - maybe he thought lightning could strike twice after the success of 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA. He even produced this movie - maybe that explains things, including why there are so many close-up shots of his face, and that he seems to be doing all his own stuntwork.