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Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Audience Rating: Unrated Binding: DVD EAN: 9786305807896 Format: Black & White, DVD-Video, NTSC ISBN: 6305807892 Label: Starz / Anchor Bay Manufacturer: Starz / Anchor Bay Number Of Items: 1 Picture Format: Academy Ratio Publisher: Starz / Anchor Bay Release Date: July 11, 2000 Running Time: 91 minutes Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay Theatrical Release Date: 1957-05 Sales Rank: 108981
Amazon.com: Hammer Studios' attempt to replicate the success of the superior Quatermass films gives us a kinder, gentler hero, the polite and soft-spoken Dr. Royston (played with almost paternal kindness by American Dean Jagger). When the populace of the area surrounding a bottomless fissure in an abandoned quarry is devastated by a rash of lethal radiation burns, Royston tries to convince authorities of the possibility of a life from deep within Earth that has surfaced to feed to a rather skeptical reception. Sure enough, the sludge from 20,000 fathoms is spotted pouring down the road like a self-contained lava flow, headed for the military's own nuclear reactor. Director Leslie Norman can't quite match that taut, wound up quality of his inspirations, The Quatermass Xperiment and Quatermass 2, but he creates an inky-black atmosphere with moody night shooting and heaps on the horror with blistery, blotchy burns that culminate in the gooey remains of a man whose flesh is found melting off his skeleton--one of the most startling moments of any Hammer picture. A young Leo McKern can be spotted as a reporter and Anthony Newley is a whining soldier. --Sean Axmaker
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - A must have.
This is one movie you must add to your collection.This one along with The Blob,Them,The Thing from another World and other,too many to list,will give you a great library of 50s flicks.
Rating: - KIller Mud in Scotland!
Hammer continued their fine triumvirate of monochrome science-fiction pictures with X the Unknown. Although this has somewhat been overshadowed by the films it was jammed in between - QUATERMASS 2 and CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN it still retains enough to interest any fan of the genre. It is important for marking the first major contribution to the world of Hammer for Jimmy Sansgter, who would go on to write some of their most famous films as well as direct three in the early 1970's. Like most Sangster screenplays it borrows liberally from other areas, most notably in this case from Nigel Kneale and his Quatermass series and it is also quite light on actual narrative. However a number of relevant cultural concerns form the basis of the film; the fear of radiation, the fear of the atomic bomb and the fear of science in general. The dichotomy between military might and scientific reason is also played out, and some scenes are rather reminiscent of Doctor Who's regular conflicts with the Brigadier and UNIT. Science and mankind have created the threat (which is basically primordial radioactive mud) and science also succeeds in vanquishing the threat. The mistrust and paranoia of progress and science had yet to strike in British cinema, but the other regular target of Hammer authority and bureaucracy are once again highlighted as being inefficient barriers to our expert hero. The token American lead this time is Dean Jagger, who is actually very good. Perhaps not Hammer's most memorable film, but great fun nonetheless
Rating: - Vivid Sci Fi Thriller That Still Packs A Punch
In this present day we as movie audiences have become largely used to huge big budget sci fi extravaganza's filled with mind blowing special effects and not much character development aimed almost solely at the youth market. In the light of this type of entertainment you would think that a viewing of an effort such as Hammer Studios "X - The Unknown", from the mid fifties relying as it does on minimal special effects and a low budget to tell its story would be somewhat of a let down. However after recently viewing this effort again after many years that belief could not be more wrong if it tried. Here we have one of the earliest efforts from Britian's famed Hammer Studios who became more famous for later reviving the Dracula and Frankenstein characters but who in actual fact did superb earlier work with this effort and the famed Quatermass films. "X- The Unknown", is a classic example of where an original and intriguing story combined with realistic characters are put ahead of letting special effects lead the story. What we have here then is an arresting little thriller that slowly builds its tension and provides most of its thrills from its eerie atmosphere and from what is implied or left off screen. It proves what the earlier filmmakers at studios like Hammer were capable of achieving often on shoe string budgets and tight production schedules.
The story of "X - The Unknown", begins innocently enough with a routine army exercise in a marshy field where the soldiers are locating planted radioactive heads with geigar counters. However something strange begins to happen and very quickly a fissure opens up that unleashes horrific radio active waves that cause severe burning when in contact with humans. Dr. Royston (Dean Jagger), a scientist from the local research station is brought in to investigate however he is baffled by what has caused this disturbance. When other incidents are reported of people experiencing severe radiaction burns Dr. Royston, despite the opposition of his supervisor John Elliot (Edward Chapman),begins to develop a theory that what is causing these attacks is an ancient entity from the centre of the earth that has been released by the opening in the fissure and is now on the move trying to find food from other radioactive sources. When the hospital is raided by the force and an orderly is killed by being literally melted away Dr. Royston backed up by Inspector McGill (Leo McKern) who believes totally what the doctor is trying to do, decides that action must be taken to destroy this prehistoric mass before it grows any bigger ... Read More
Rating: - "How do you kill mud?"
X - The Unknown (1957) is a superior science fiction/horror film from Hammer Studios. The film stars Dean Jagger, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the film 12 O'Clock High, as Dr. Adam Royston, Leo Mckern as Inspector McGill, and Edward Chapman as John Elliot, director of the atomic plant where Royston works.
The movie takes place in Scotland, and starts off showing a group of army men in training on locating radioactive material using a Geiger counter. Soon a fissure cracks open in the Earth, and a couple of the men suffer radiation burns. Royston is called in to try and determine the source of the radiation, but he has no answers. Soon, others begin to suffer from such burns, and radioactive materials go missing from various locations like the local hospital and Royston's secluded lab. Royston develops a theory, one too fantastic to be believed, but one that's soon proved correct to everyone's horror. Seems a creature of energy has risen from deep within the Earth, one that can kill instantly, and needs radioactive materials to feed on to survive. Essentially, it's a giant ball of mud, one that continues to grow the more it feeds. How do you kill a ball of mud? Royston has an idea, but the cure may prove to be worse than the disease as destroying the creature may cause an explosion of atomic proportions.
Dean Jagger is the star, no doubt about that, as he shows it throughout. The rest of the actors, while very good, are pretty much along for the ride. One of the best elements about this film is the intelligent story line. The creature isn't even show until about an hour into the proceedings, but the viewer's attention is kept tightly focused as the suspense builds and the story unfolds. And I have to say, the effects were quite good and even a bit more graphic than I would have expected, especially the scenes where some poor unfortunate comes into contact with the creature. Think of what happened to Toht, the character played by Ron Lacey, at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and you'll understand what I mean.
The picture provided on this disc looks very good, with minimal signs of deterioration in a few scenes. Special features include an original trailer for the film, and a World of Hammer episode entitled Sci-Fi. Also included in the case is a reproduction of a promotional poster for the film. All in all, an excellent example of early British sci-fi that's intelligent, suspenseful, and extremely well made.
Cookieman108
Rating: - X-THE UNKNOWN IS XCELLENT
It has been over 30 years that I first saw X-The Unknown. When it became available on DVD I jumped at the chance to buy it.
The story while very 50ish (atomic terrors reaching out for us) holds up very well today.The acting is first rate, and even through the scientific explanations you feel that the story line is quite plausible.
I am especially impressed with the clarity of the picture. I expected a very grainy film but was surprised to see a clear sharp picture. Add to this an exciting musical score and the atmosphere is set.
X THE UNKNOWN is a fine example of a talented cast, crisp direction, and errie musical score. I recommend this highly.
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