Following the tremendous success of The Quatermass Experiment, the folks at Hammer give us this sci-fi/horror flick with American Dean Jagger in the leading role. In the 50's it was not uncommon for an American actor to top the cast in a British film, as this was how the British companies ensured their movie would attract a Stateside audience. Jagger had won an Oscar just a few years previously for his work in Twelve O'Clock High, and he brings that kind of authoritative performance to his role here. One of the strengths of X The Unknown is that the characters behave, react and speak in a plausible manner - something that can't be said of the majority of films in the genre - and this is entirely down to the believable character nuances fashioned by the stars.
In Scotland, one army soldier is killed and one severely burned when a mysterious crack appears in the ground. No-one is quite sure what has caused the crack to appear, nor how deep it is, nor even why those in the immediate vicinity seem to develop serious radioactive burns. An American scientist, Dr Adam Royston (Dean Jagger) is working in the nearby area, carrying out unofficial research into ways of neutralising radiation. Royston recognises that science and technology rely more and more on radioactive materials, and is worried that mankind might be slowly but surely poisoning the planet with radiation. When news of the soldier's death reaches Royston he investigates . from the available evidence, he soon concludes that some kind of subterranean organism has been awakened which feeds off radioactivity. With mankind using increasing quantities of nuclear energy, the unknown organism basically a moving, oozing mass of goo has been attracted up to the surface. Since the ooze feeds off radiation and cannot be destroyed with weapons, the only hope of stopping its destructive progress is if Royston's experiments on neutralising radiation can be put to use against it. Joined by the sceptical Inspector McGill (Leo McKern), Royston races against time to find a solution to the threat ..
Some have interpreted the crack that releases the ooze at the beginning of the film as a symbol for Mother Earth's vagina, opening to give birth to a natural monster from its core (or should that be "womb"?) Such an interpretation is amusingly interesting, but I'm not so sure that scripter Jimmy Sangster and director Leslie Norman are really using symbolism to such an extent in this film. To me, it's more of a straightforward story science awakens a fearful force, fearful force threatens the world, scientists try to figure out the nature of the threat, scientists try to destroy the fearful force. Leslie Norman (father of revered film critic Barry) invests the film with some effectively stark images and Hammer's most prolific composer James Bernard provides an appropriately creepy score. Within its parameters X The Unknown is a fun sci-fi romp, very much of its era, but not a film that resonates in your memory for years and years after seeing it.
In Scotland, one army soldier is killed and one severely burned when a mysterious crack appears in the ground. No-one is quite sure what has caused the crack to appear, nor how deep it is, nor even why those in the immediate vicinity seem to develop serious radioactive burns. An American scientist, Dr Adam Royston (Dean Jagger) is working in the nearby area, carrying out unofficial research into ways of neutralising radiation. Royston recognises that science and technology rely more and more on radioactive materials, and is worried that mankind might be slowly but surely poisoning the planet with radiation. When news of the soldier's death reaches Royston he investigates . from the available evidence, he soon concludes that some kind of subterranean organism has been awakened which feeds off radioactivity. With mankind using increasing quantities of nuclear energy, the unknown organism basically a moving, oozing mass of goo has been attracted up to the surface. Since the ooze feeds off radiation and cannot be destroyed with weapons, the only hope of stopping its destructive progress is if Royston's experiments on neutralising radiation can be put to use against it. Joined by the sceptical Inspector McGill (Leo McKern), Royston races against time to find a solution to the threat ..
Some have interpreted the crack that releases the ooze at the beginning of the film as a symbol for Mother Earth's vagina, opening to give birth to a natural monster from its core (or should that be "womb"?) Such an interpretation is amusingly interesting, but I'm not so sure that scripter Jimmy Sangster and director Leslie Norman are really using symbolism to such an extent in this film. To me, it's more of a straightforward story science awakens a fearful force, fearful force threatens the world, scientists try to figure out the nature of the threat, scientists try to destroy the fearful force. Leslie Norman (father of revered film critic Barry) invests the film with some effectively stark images and Hammer's most prolific composer James Bernard provides an appropriately creepy score. Within its parameters X The Unknown is a fun sci-fi romp, very much of its era, but not a film that resonates in your memory for years and years after seeing it.