X the Unknown [Blu-ray]

Perfect gift for the antiquated Sci Fi fan

This was originally intended to be a part of Hammer's Quatermass series. Well, a Quatermass tale by any other name is just as creepy. Good old-fashioned sci-fi horror!

First off, let me just say how happy I am that Shout Factory decided to remaster this brilliant film for Blu Ray. One of the most well written sci fi films from the 50’s. Not to mention the outstanding performance from Dean Jagger.The transfer looks brilliant and the mono soundtrack honors the original release perfectly. Anyone who loves this film will rejoice, as it has never looked or sounded better.What makes this such a unique addition to the genre is the script. Everything about it feels authentic and even if the facts may be dated, it still feels plausible. Dean Jagger’s performance is restrained and thoughtful. Unlike most scientists in these old sci fi films, Jagger’s is humble about his theory of what exactly is happening, and never speaks in absolutes. Very refreshing.This is another great movie filmed in the UK, where some of the best so called monster movie’s were created back in the 50’s. Much like Village of the Dammed; X The Unknown is an intelligent and dialogue driven approach. With a small budget it creates tension without having to expose the menace for most of the film, and although this can sometimes be frustrating, here it actually serves the story by allowing the story to build naturally.The special effects are quite clever and definitely work within the boundaries of the story. No guy walking around in a rubber suit here, instead the monster is actually considered a life form or entity with intelligence. And surprisingly, not from outer space.For those of you who are fans of this film, you will be more than satisfied in this beautifully restored release of this classic sci fi film. Anyone not familiar with X The Unknown, but are fans of 1950’s sci fi/monster movies, I can easily recommend this one be added to your collection immediately. A well acted and intelligent film that deserves thIs restoration for future generations to enjoy.Thank you Shout Factory for a first class restoration. Now if Shout Factory could remaster Trollenberg Terror (aka the crawling eye) from 1958 and Invaders from Mars from 1953, and release them on Blu Ray. That would be awesome.Highly recommended.

One reason I have always liked this movie is Dean Jagger. He does a great job of playing a scientist. At times the black and white English countryside is spooky and much of the movie takes place at night. It is nice to see this movie get its own blu ray release. The picture and contrast are much better than the old DVD version I had. Just my opinion but I think it is well worth the upgrade to getting the blu ray over the dvd. I am not going to review the movie as I think most people who read this already know the plot.

This review is for the Blu-Ray edition of 'X The Unknown' released by Shout! Factory in February, 2020.BLU-RAY: The picture is good but not perfect. There are imperfections throughout such as lines, specks, etc. Still, it's an improvement over previous editions. This is probably as good as it's going to get for this movie for quite some time. I'd give the picture a 7/10. The movie is shown in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio.EXTRA'S:-The inside sleeve features a large black and white picture of most of the cast.-Audio commentary with film historian Ted Newsom. Ted Newsom is one of my favorite commentators for old movies. He is usually very well informed and adds a touch of humor to his commentaries. He is never dry, though he does ramble a bit here and there. Overall it is a good commentary.-Documentary: "The Men Who Made Hammer: Jimmy Sangster" - This documentary covers the life of Jimmy Sangster and is told by film historian Richard Klemensen. This is 17 minutes long.-World of Hammer episode - Sci-Fi - This is one of the World of Hammer episodes that were narrated by Oliver Reed.-Theatrical Trailer-SubtitlesPRODUCTION: 'X the Unknown' was filmed in 1956 by Hammer Film Productions. It was distributed by Warner Brothers in the U.S. It was shown as part of a double bill with 'The Curse of Frankenstein'.-'X' was directed by Leslie Norman. Norman replaced Joseph Losey who was either ill or replaced because he was on Hollywood's blacklist.-'X' was written by Jimmy Sangster. This would be Jimmy Sangster's first screenplay for Hammer in what would be a long and illustrious career.-Michael Ripper is in a supporting role as the Sargeant. Ripper would go on to be Hammer's most prolific actor.-Supposedly half of the budget for this movie was used on Dean Jagger's pay ($60,000).WAS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE A QUATERMASS MOVIE? Yes, Indeed it was intended to be a Quatermass movie. Afterthe success of 'The Quatermass Xperiment', Hammer wanted to make 'X the Unknown' a sequel. Nigel Kneale,Quatermass' creator refused to give permission. As a result we ended up with Dr. Adam Royston taking the place of Bernard Quatermass. The script was penned by Hammer legend, Jimmy Sangster. Ultimately, Hammer would make two more Quatermass movies. They were 'Quatermass 2' and 'Quatermass and the Pit'.WHO WAS DEAN JAGGER?: Dean Jagger was 53 when he played Dr. Royston in 'X the Unknown'. He had a long and successful career and won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 'Twelve O'Clock High' (1949). He became well known for his stage performance in Tobacco Road in 1933. Up until he won the Academy Award, his best known role was as Brigham Young in 'Brigham Young' (1940). Jagger continued acting into his 80's. He took his last role in 1985 on the television show 'St. Elsewhere'. He died in 1991 at the age of 87.*****WARNING - LOTS OF SPOILERS BELOW THIS POINT*****PLOT/SUMMARY: The movie opens in Scotland near Glasgow in a muddy field. Some soldiers are practicing using Geiger counter's in the field. When they are nearly finished for the day, a large crack opens up in the ground. Nobody can tell how deep the crevice is. Dr. Royston (Dean Jagger) is called in to investigate. Royston works for the Atomic Energy Laboratory. Several people have been burned and died as a result of radiation that is coming from the area.Shortly thereafter, a boy gets radiation burns while out on a dare in the woods near an old tower. Dr. Royston finds a canister of radioactive material that has been drained inside of the tower. Mr. McGill, is called in after the young boy dies. He works security for the Atomic Energy Commission. After Royston and McGill leave the hospital, a doctor is burned and melted by something in the hospital.Out at the field with the crevice, two soldiers are attacked and killed by an unknown creature. Dr. Royston comes up with a theory that there are creatures below the Earth's crust that are being forced to the surface as the Earth cools. He believes they feed off of radiation. Dr. Royston sends someone down into the fissure. The dead soldiers are found. The geiger counter registers dramatically and the volunteer is quickly brought back to the surface. The military has decided to torch the crevice, bomb it and fill it with concrete. Dr. Royston is skeptical. He wonders how something that can travel through the Earth's surface can be stopped by concrete.Royston has been working on neutralizing radiaion using radio waves in his laboratory. With McGill getting to head back to Glasgow, four people are burned to death on a road. McGill heads to the site and calls Royston. They figure out that the creature is heading toward the Atomic Energy Laboratory where a large body of cobalt is being used in an experiment. Royston also figures out that the creature is travelling to sources of radiation and then returns to the crevice. They track the creature with a helicopter. Dr. Royston partially succeeds with his laboratory test. He neutralizes radiation but an explosion occurs. The creature will head to a nuclear power plant if it is not stopped. The decision is made to attempt to neutralize the creature despite the danger. The plan works and the creature is neutralized. However, there is a second explosion from an unknown source in the fissure after the creature itself explodes.COMMENTS:WAS 'X THE UNKNOWN' INFLUENCED BY 'THE BLOB'?: Actually, 'X the Unknown' came first. So if anything, 'The Blob' was influenced by 'X the Unknown'. It would be hard to believe that the producers of 'The Blob' were not influenced by 'X'. The similarities would be obvious to anybody who has seen the two movies.'The Blob' came out less than two years after 'X'.OTHER COMMENTS:-Despite the cheap sets, this movie is quite atmospheric. The movie has a very creepy feel to it.-The doctor's face melting away was pretty risque for the time period.-I think that the special effects are pretty good, especially when you factor in the budget. X looks pretty good. The one poor effect was the scene in which electricity shoots out from the power line and tower.-The script is intelligent even though it is far-fetched. At least they use real science to come up with the plot.-The score by James Bernard is excellent.-The director, Leslie Norman, was not liked on set and never directed another Hammer movie. This despite the fact that the movie was very well made. Norman complained a lot and was not happy directing a movie in which he made no casting decisions.CONCLUSIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS: I consider this to be one of the 'Quatermass' movies even if it isn't one. The Quatermass movies are my favorite science fiction movies from the 1950's. This particular movie will probably be a bit on the dull side for most but I still like it. This movie was obviously an influence on the very successful 'The Blob'.The picture was pretty good but it wasn't completely cleaned up. The scan is pretty nice. The extra's are decent but not the best I've seen from these Hammer releases.This movie is recommended for any science fiction fan for fans of any era, not just the 50's.RATINGS:Plot: 7/10 or 3 1/2 stars - It's an intelligent script if a bit on the dull side.SFX: 6/10 or 3 stars - Pretty good for such a low budget.Picture: 7/10 or 3 1/2 starsExtra's: 7/10 - You get an audio commentary, a documentary and a World of Hammer episode.Overall: 8/10 - 4 stars

This British SciFi movie is far more superior then The Blob.

Others have complained. I have audio with the Shout and Scream factor logos and Jame Bernard's score plays under the menu. But when the movie starts there's no sound. I'm just getting complete silence.UPDATEMight be helpful for others with missing audio. Solved the problem.by changing to a digital audio connection directly from my Panasonic Blu ray player to my AV receiver. Had been feeding video and audio through HDMI cable to my LG set then sending audio from the set to my receiver via digital optical connection.This is the only time I've had a problem with this set up. The LG set is HDCP 2.2 but the receiver isn't. I haven't had problems with other Hi res audio Blu ray discs sending audio through the LG optical out to the AV receiver. Assume it's an HDCP issued with this particular disc.

I got it for my husband who is a old classic movie fan. It wasn't a bad movie