The Prisoner of Shark Island

1936
Approved
1h 36m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Warner Baxter in The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936)

The story of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was imprisoned after innocently treating President Lincoln's assassin in 1865.The story of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was imprisoned after innocently treating President Lincoln's assassin in 1865.The story of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was imprisoned after innocently treating President Lincoln's assassin in 1865.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

2.7K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Photos126

+ 119

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
On the envelope Buck hands to Mudd in prison, the prop department took the time and effort to get the correct 1861 Washington three-cent stamp and the spiral cancellation mark as well.

Goofs
Booth is seen entering the President's theater box on the President's left; he even opens the door first to make sure the President is there. He then shoots him at a distance of at least 5 feet, again from Lincoln's left side. In reality, Booth entered the box from behind the President, and shot him at very close range in the back of the head. Also, in real life Booth shot Lincoln immediately after the line "...you sockdolagizing old mantrap!", thus insuring that the audience laughter would drown out the sound of the shot (Booth was very familiar with the play and knew just when to shoot). In the film, the line in question is uttered before Booth has even made his way into the box.

Quotes
Dr. Samuel Alexander Mudd: Once before I was a doctor. I'm still a doctor.

Alternate versions
Since this film has never been released to the video market in the USA, the only version available for home entertainment is an Argentinean VHS edition that was lifted from a 16mm print. Although the film plays in English with Spanish language subtitles, the credits and all signs and letters shown in the picture were redone in Spanish. The name of this version is "Prisionero del destino".

Connections
Featured in Directed by John Ford (1971)

Soundtracks
Dixie's Land
(uncredited)
Written by Daniel Decatur Emmett
Played over the opening credits
Reprised by the Union Army band at Lincoln's request
Played as background music often.

User reviews42

Review

Featured review

8/10

surprisingly interesting bio-pic

In general, Hollywood bio-pics of the 1930s bore me. So many of them stray so far from the real story or attempt to canonize the subjects that they just seem too fake and sickly to watch. This movie is a good exception to this rule of thumb. I was pleasantly surprised that the movie was NOT all treacle and it was easy to find myself engaged in the plot. Plus, the subject matter of the movie is an enigmatic person in that NO ONE alive knows for sure what, if any, role he had in Licoln's death. It really got me thinking and as a result I did some research--and ultimately learned that this debate will probably never be decided! But, based on excellent writing and acting, I strongly recommend it. Plus, as a history teacher, I am happy that, in general, the facts seem to be presented well. THAT'S a rarity for any biographical movie!