X - The Unknown

Starring:Dean Jagger, Edward Chapman, Leo McKern, Anthony Newley, Jameson Clark, William Lucas, Peter Hammond, Marianne Brauns, Ian MacNaughton, Michael Ripper, John Harvey, Edwin Richfield, Jane Aird, Norman Macowan, Neil Hallett, Kenneth Cope, Michael Brooke, Frazer Hines, Lawrence Janes, Brown Derby
Director: Leslie Norman
Studio: Anchor Bay
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

Dynamic Duo Mirrors Other Classics.......2006-02-23

I purchased this with just reviews and a general understanding of the movies. I was pleasantly suprised. Four Sided Triangle is an interesting story on cloning and the obligitory warnings of playing God. Pretty good acting and original story. Not a lot for true "horror" but a good sci fi movie none the less. Special effects were interesting and relates to what was seen in the original "The Fly". As for X The Unknown you will be reminded of "The Blob" although you need to remember that X came out a year previous. The idea is releatively the same. A bunch of goo terrorizes a local area. Although The Blob has been shredded by some, I think it is still a good movie. X rates up there as well. It is in black and white which true "old" movie fans will appreciate. The acting is solid and the story is interesting and will keep your attention. A worth while twosome to add to your collection.

original b&w hammer.......2005-11-16

these are fullscreen of some of the first hammer films thats why they are black and white.hammer didn't boom till it went color and had christopher lee and peter cushing most of the hammers had unknows seems the color ones are widescreen or letterbox if its on anchor bay.not all hammer is on anchor bay some is on fox,wb. some mgm and several independant distributers.if you are a hammer fan look at other hammer fans lists that will help ya find the titals some aren't available now like "the nanny" and "aniversery"

Let's Make a Woman and The Insatiable Goo.......2004-03-22

Anchor Bay Entertainment has begun releasing the lesser-known Hammer films in an economical 'two-fer' format, following behind MGM and their 'Midnight Movies' format. That's great news for those of us who haven't gotten around to purchasing these films individually, as they were originally offered, but bad news from those who have already bought the films when they were originally released to DVD in the single movie format at full price. The discs and special features offered though this set are the same as when they were offered in a single disc format, but now they are two for the price of one. I can't help but wonder if the original releases weren't selling very well, so Anchor Bay recovered them and re-released them in this more economical 'limited edition' sets. Who knows?

Anyway, the first film, The Four Sided Triangle (1953) is a decent melodramatic science fiction thriller dealing with, what I figure was a relatively new concept at the time, of human cloning. The story involves mainly three individuals, Bill, Robin, and Lena. Bill, coming from a solid background and a wealthy family, is the practical one, while Robin is the flipside of the coin, coming from a poor family, exhibits the dreamer-like qualities of a true visionary, but also suffers the highs and lows of what could be considered a manic-depressive personality. Lena is sort of in the middle, obviously desired by both men, although she can only choose one.

The men, fresh back from college, develop a machine that can perfectly reproduce anything, and this opens up a wealth of possible opportunities, and also allows Bill to profess his love to Lena, prompting their marriage, much to Robin's dismay. Robin, bored with the practical applications of the machine already, looks towards new frontiers of duplicating organic matter, and decides one the process is perfected, he should like to duplicate Lena. It works, but not without complications. All in all, not a bad movie, and it seems pretty original for the time, even though it does borrow from the Frankenstein mythos a little bit. The film is slow moving, so patience is required. The surprise ending seemed a bit contrived and fantastical, but the production values were pretty good, making for an interesting, if drawn out, experience.

X - The Unknown (1957) is the much better of the two films here, presenting a very intelligent and wonderful science fiction story that presents the notion of an ancient life form that lives within the Earth and rises through a fissure, seeking out sustenance in the form of radioactive materials. Dean Jagger stars and presents a thoroughly likable character surrounded by a strong supporting cast. Some of the horror elements were quite a bit more visceral that I would have expected, but made for fun and interesting viewing leading up to a suitably climatic finish.

I really liked the notion that the creature, a giant blob of inky, gooey material, wasn't from outer space, but something that has been on this terrestrial plane for a long time, much longer than man. I also appreciated the complications that developed as the characters discerned information about the creature, providing real depth to the story, and elevating this film above the average 'creature feature'.

Both films look and sound great, with minimal deterioration present in the prints provided, and contain the special features related to their original, independent releases, with The Four Sided Triangle disc containing a Hammer World of Horror episode titled The Curse of Frankenstein and X- The Unknown disc the World of Horror episode titled Sci-Fi and an original trailer for the film. Also included in the case are two reproduction cards for promotional material on each film. A great value if you are coming in late in the game, and it does say limited edition on the front of the case, so supplies may be limited.

Cookieman108

Great bargain! A "Quatermass" clone, and an original classic.......2004-02-03

"X - The Unknown" rests squarely in the "Quatermass" camp of an intelligent scientist facing off with the British military against a bizarre threat to humanity. The movie was specifically made to follow-up on the commercial success (and critical acclaim) of the very first "Quatermass" movie ("The Quatermass Xperiment) made just the year before. American actor Dean Jagger (probably best known for his role as "General Waverly" in "White Christmas") plays the "Quatermass" character (here named Dr. Adam Royston), called in to investigate when an Army unit doing geiger-counter training exercises witnesses an earthquake and the opening of an apparently bottomless fissure. (Another tidbit - his investigative partner, police inspector McGill, is played by the most well-known of "The Prisoner"'s Number Twos, Leo McKern!) Soon afterwards (as is always the case) there's death and destruction, and Royston has to come up with something to neutralize the menace of a creeping, radioactive blob. (The American "The Blob" wouldn't show up for two more years.) Gruesome (for their time) special effects of melting and smoking flesh raise this apart from more timid US efforts of the day, and the soundtrack is by "Quatermass" composer James Bernard. Extraordinarliy atmospheric, filmed almost entirely at night with authentic-feeling Scottish locations, a terrific and over-looked classic from Hammer.

But wait! There's more! Watching the opening of "The Four-Sided Triangle", and you will be forgiven if you think immediately of "How Green Was My Valley". We're treated to a nostalgic look at a small English village, with a winsome voice-over by the town "Doc" (played by James Hayter, seen in "Oliver!" as well as a few "Avengers" shows). Doc tells us the story of three children, two boys and the girl they both loved. The girl (Lena) grows up to be Barbara Payton ("Bride of the Gorilla"), and the two boys Robin and Bill (John Van Eyssen and Stephen Murray) are inventors both still under her spell. She (finally!) decides on.....Robin, but Bill isn't willing to leave it at that. With the help of a "replicator", he creates a perfect duplicate of Lena. Too perfect, it seems, because even the duplicate prefers Robin! VERY good acting, much better than we usually see in this kind of movie. And the music is by classical composer Malcolm Arnold!

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:

KIller Mud in Scotland!.......2006-08-30

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

A Quatermass film without Quatermass.......2005-10-22

The success of the first Quatermass film begged for a sequel. However, Nigel Kneale would not turn over his creation to the hands of the Hammer Studios screenwriters. So they created Dr. Royston, nuclear physicist. When for no apparent reason, a fissure in the earth opens and releases a seething oozing nightmare to feed nightly on the English countryside, its proximity and relationship to a nuclear facility leads Dr. Royston to investigate. The menace builds as the creature's appetite increases. The stark black and white cinematography and matter of fact performances by low-key veterans such as Dean Jagger as Dr. Roysten and Leo McKern as an investigator enhance the documentary flavor of the film lending the appearances of the monster a strikingly horrific tone. Two of the deaths that occur in the course of the film are surprisingly graphic for a film of this period. There are some unsettling moments that lend particular life to the film as when a scientist is lowered into the fissure to see if he can spot any sign of the creature (he does). All of this is overlaid with a striking score by James Bernard. Once again, the British X-rating is played up in the film's title. Supposedly, Dean Jagger refused to work with the director originally chosen for the picture, Joseph Losey, because Jagger resented working with a suspected communist. One can only wonder what Losey would have done with the film. I believe this film was the first monster of this kind to be presented on screen. The resemblance to the monster in Joseph Payne Brennan's famous short story Slime may be more than coincindental. But while Brennan's creature emerges from the ocean floor, this creature is some sort of inner earth dweller and the scientific mumbo jumbo used to explain the creature strikes the only really false note in the film. The film is effectively packaged with a short documentary on Hammer horror films and an interesting trailer for the film. The print looks and sounds good. Watch for Anthony Newley in a small part.

Before the X-Files: there was X, The Unknown..........2005-02-19

X-THE UNKNOWN is low budget,soft-on-sfx, super creepy sci-fi sleeper of the ilk of THE DAY THE EARTH CAUGHT FIRE.The ensemble cast led by American Dean Jagger keep a British stiff-upper-lip approach to hidden terror cleverly BxW low-balled by the Hammer Consortium that usually assaulted senses with the bloodiest blood the screen ever bled. But X-ster's play it very cool so suspense builds until the radioactive "whatcha'macallit" rolls into town BLOB STYLE with style. If this sounds lame,it isn't. Very good acting; tremendously eerie lighting,art design, music;and determination to resist temptation to a glowing "melt-fest"climax make X-The Unknown "mud in your eye"classic sci-fi...

Vivid Sci Fi Thriller That Still Packs A Punch.......2005-01-12

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 from feeding on any available radioactive substances. As time runs short and panic among the local population rises alarmingly Dr. Royston continues his experiments to try and find a way to destroy the mass and eventually discovers a means of possibly doing it with the use of high frequency waves. Duplicating the experiment in a larger form on the edge of the fissure with the help of assistant Peter Elliot (William Lucas),he manages to lures the mass out of the fissure with some radioactive material upon which he manages to disintergrate the mass.

The real strength in "X - The Unknown", lies in the total conviction that the main characters bring to their playing when faced with a potentially exciting story that because of the budget had to rely on minimal special effects to get the terror across to the audience. Full marks must go to lead cast members; veteran Hollywood actor Dean Jagger, Edward Chapman, William Lucas and especially a young Leo McKern for playing their parts seriously and never for one moment losing their conviction in the parts they are playing. Dean Jagger at first glance may have seemed an odd choice to take on the lead role in this all British Hammer thriller however he is the calm rational centre of the story and teams especially well with Leo McKern as his loyal support in his efforts to destroy the radioactive mass threatening the country. Of interest in the cast also are later Hammer regular Michael Ripper in the role of Sgt. Grimsdyke and a very young Anthony Newley as one of the two young soldiers placed on guard duty at the fissure who become the victims of the radioactive mass. "X- The Unknown", despite its small budget does boast some splendid photography and the plentiful nighttime shooting really enhances the eerie quality of much of the story. With much of the story taking place in mist shrouded marsh lands at night the natural landscape plays an important role in bringing this story to life and the sound effects employed to accompany the radioactive mud on its rampages through the countryside also were first rate. Despite the small budget the special effects however sparse in "X - The Unknown", are first rate for the time. The scenes of civilians seemingly melting before the viewers eyes when in contact with the radioactive mass are unforgettable and really were the forerunners to Hammer's justly famous decomposition scene at the end of their classic "Horror of Dracula", a couple of years later. The horrid mass itself when it finally does show itself is similiar in appearance to that from the legendary "The Blob", and despite the technical advancements since this time in computer imagery it still is very effective.

Films like "X _The Unknown", certainly come from an earlier and in many ways simpler era of movie making however I feel efforts such as this are just as effective as entertainment as the splashy blockbusters we see nowadays in the cinemas. The real power in an effective sci fi or horror effort should always be in what is implied or only shown sparingly. Whether that was the original intention or not of the filmmakers in "X - The Unknown", is impossible to say but what we are left with is a highly effective and quite chilling little horror tale that keeps the interest up to the final frame. Radioactive mud terrorising the countryside at first thought might not seem too frightening but it is an original idea where the mass almost has a brain of it's own and is a great twist that helps build the suspense. To see one of Hammer Studios earliest efforts in the field of horror where later they became one of the leaders make sure you catch "X -The Unknown", soon.

"How do you kill mud?".......2004-03-21

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

Average customer rating:

KIller Mud in Scotland!
A Quatermass film without Quatermass
Before the X-Files: there was X, The Unknown...
Vivid Sci Fi Thriller That Still Packs A Punch
"How do you kill mud?"

X: The Unknown [Region 2]
Starring: Dean Jagger , Edward Chapman , Leo McKern , Anthony Newley , and Jameson Clark
Director: Leslie Norman
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

( X ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00008WQ6J

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

KIller Mud in Scotland!.......2006-08-30

A Quatermass film without Quatermass.......2005-10-22

Before the X-Files: there was X, The Unknown..........2005-02-19

Vivid Sci Fi Thriller That Still Packs A Punch.......2005-01-12

"How do you kill mud?".......2004-03-21

Average customer rating:

KIller Mud in Scotland!
A Quatermass film without Quatermass
Before the X-Files: there was X, The Unknown...
Vivid Sci Fi Thriller That Still Packs A Punch
"How do you kill mud?"

X: The Unknown [Region 2]
Starring: Dean Jagger , Edward Chapman , Leo McKern , Anthony Newley , and Jameson Clark
Director: Leslie Norman , and Val Guest
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video