Terminal Island (1973): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1973, Terminal Island is an action, thriller, drama and crime film directed by Stephanie Rothman, running about 88 minutes. “Men and Women... Black and White. Taken From Death Row - Condemned to Devil's Island, U.S.A., Where Living is Worse Than Dying!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. In the wake of a Supreme Court decision to outlaw the death penalty, California passes an initiative that designates San Bruno island as a dumping spot for first-degree murder convicts, free to do what they like except leave. The main camp of convicts is controlled by the tyrannical Bobby, who rules with an iron hand, and the women are used as sex slaves. A.J. and a group of more free-minded murderers have escaped and gone into hiding. When A.J. and his men liberate the women from Bobby's custody, tensions mount to an all-out confrontation for control of the island.

Who’s in it. Terminal Island stars Don Marshall as A.J. Thomas, Phyllis Davis as Joy Lang, Ena Hartman as Carmen Simms and Marta Kristen as Lee Phillips, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, Terminal Island has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In US you can stream it on MUBI, Night Flight Plus, MUBI Amazon Channel and Eternal Family and rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Terminal Island page.

If you liked it. Fans of Terminal Island tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Inception and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.