X the Unknown (1956)

Memorable, crazy movie

Captivating movie !

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

*Spoiler/plot- X, the Unknown, 1956. On a secret atomic energy British instillation, some mysterious local murders occur with horrific results to the bodies. The scientists investigate to find a strange underground living 'putty' that is attracted to all things radioactive, but kills.*Special Stars- Dean Jagger, Edward Chapman, Leo McKern, Anthony Newley, Ian MacNaughton, *Theme- Be careful about opening that door for our atomic age. *Trivia/location/goofs- B & W. A Hammer film from UK. Originally to be a sequel to the big film, Quatermass Xperiment ('55) but the scientist was renamed and re-cast. Look for the British pop singer, Anthony Newley in one of his first screen roles. The film's performers and production staff was affected by the era's Hollywood Blacklist.*Emotion- A wonderfully watchable, enjoyable, and dramatic film. The plot is well produced and easy to follow so the viewer. They can experience some terror and mystery. I would like to own this film.*Based On- Atomic bomb fears and speculation.

Leslie Norman directed this science fiction film from Hammer Studios about British commandos in Scotland on maneuvers in a marsh who become ill from radiation. Dr. Royston(played by Dean Jagger), an atomic scientist from a nearby research station is called in to investigate, and discovers a strange new life form that seems to be a living radioactive mud from the depths of the Earth that needs more radiation to feed on, as it continues to grow in size, and will kill anyone who gets in the way. How to kill such an unusual life form? Effective film with good script and direction, and makes imaginative and plausible use of its unusual menace. Underrated thriller.

The always reliable Hammer Studio would find its Artistic, Money-Making stride the next Year, but before that there were offerings like Quatermass and this follow-up and it was obvious that there were rumblings of Greatness afoot.It would take Classic Monsters, Color, bloody Violence, Cleavage and smart Production all around that would take Moviedom in a new direction and announce that Hammer Studios would be an unforgettable force for the next twenty Years.This was before all that and is an eerie, quite effective, very low-budget, brainy, anti-nuke Movie that has great and gloomy Atmosphere with believable Characters experiencing Horrific situations. There is a good deal of "Scientific Explanation" and is a bit talky here and there, but this nonetheless remains a very good Shocker that is much better than the overrated Rip-Off, The Blob (1958).Definitely worth a view for B-Movie and Horror Fans and even for those who like to laugh at this kind of stuff. Even they may be impressed at its doom laden, Cold-War seriousness and overall quality.

Considering it was shot in the 60s, it is pretty graphic for that time. Then again, Night of the living dead came a few years later and put a new level of gore out there. This one is tame obviously in todays time. It didn't age well in some departments. People are used to more by now. Some of the acting also seems very wooden.This British effort is still a good movie, that build the blueprint for other similar (and I guess more successful) movies. The acting is nice and the effects are pretty decent too, although you should be aware that most of the time it's more what you imagine, rather than what you actually see on screen. If you don't mind the age, try it. You might even like it (which shouldn't be a surprise)