You are here:

King of the Damned

Name: King of the Damned
Director: Walter Forde
Released: 1935
Duration: 81 min

Representation Score

1.3/10

Minimal

1935

Approved

Director

Walter Forde

Runtime

81 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

King of the Damned is a period action film that prioritizes institutional critique over identity-based representation. While it lacks diverse representation in terms of race, gender, and sexuality, it provides a unique thematic perspective on social reorganization. The film stands out by portraying prisoners as architects of a new social order. This focus on collective action and the pursuit of a productive community offers a rare moment of social commentary for 1935. Ultimately, the work remains a product of its time, reflecting the constraints of mid-1930s filmmaking. It focuses on class and institutional struggles rather than the diverse demographic inclusion seen in modern cinema.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does King of the Damned have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows the straight-centered conventions of 1935 British cinema. There are no non-cisgender gender identities or same-sex relationships shown.

How does King of the Damned portray gender?

Limited

The action and crime genre usually emphasizes male leadership and physical strength. The film likely adheres to traditional patriarchal structures without giving much power to female characters.

How racially and ethnically diverse is King of the Damned?

Minimal

The penal colony setting seems to reflect the era's preference for homogeneous casting. There is no record of a non-Anglo-Saxon majority cast.

How does King of the Damned represent religion and culture?

Good

The narrative challenges authority by depicting a revolt as an effort to create a humane, self-governing community. This offers a critique of oppressive institutions.

Does King of the Damned include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information about characters with disabilities. No such representation is used as a narrative device.

Present on Screen

The film offers a sophisticated critique of oppressive institutions through its narrative structure.
It challenges traditional criminal clichés by portraying prisoners as organizers of a humane community.
The story explores themes of collective action and social reorganization.

Limited or Absent

The film lacks meaningful representation of diverse racial and ethnic groups.
There is a notable absence of female characters with significant influence or leadership roles.
The production fails to include any visible or invisible disability representation.

Official Synopsis

Revolt on a prison island is a parable of workers revolution. A cruel and repressive penal colony is the setting for a prison revolt with a special twist...the prisoners want to stay on and govern themselves in a humane and productive working community. Well that's the theory anyway but circumstances make their venture a lot more complicated than that.

How are these scores produced? →