X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963)
"X" (original title)

A doctor uses special eye drops to give himself x-ray vision, but the new power has disastrous consequences.

Director:

Roger Corman

Writers:

Robert Dillon (screenplay), Ray Russell (screenplay),

Stars:

Ray Milland, Diana Van der Vlis, Harold J. Stone

Cast

Cast overview:
Ray Milland	...	Dr. James Xavier
Diana Van der Vlis	...	Dr. Diane Fairfax (as Diana van der Vlis)
Harold J. Stone	...	Dr. Sam Brant
John Hoyt	...	Dr. Willard Benson
Don Rickles	...	Crane

Storyline

Dr. James Xavier is a world renowned scientist experimenting with human eyesight. He devises a drug, that when applied to the eyes, enables the user to see beyond the normal realm of our sight (ultraviolet rays etc.) it also gives the user the power to see through objects. Xavier tests this drug on himself, when his funding is cut off. As he continues to test the drug on himself, Xavier begins to see, not only through walls and clothes, but through the very fabric of reality!

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Plot Keywords:

eye | doctor | eye drops | x ray vision | funding | 

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Taglines:

Suddenly he could see through clothes, flesh... and walls!

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 September 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes

Filming Locations:

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Vista Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

It has long been rumored that a final scene, in which Dr. Xavier screams "I can still see!" was cut by censors. No footage of this is known to exist. However, the movie does end rather abruptly just as Dr. Xavier seems about to say something, and those words would provide a chilling climax to the story. This rumor is false, according to director Roger Corman. In a Q&A session he said this idea was discussed but never filmed.

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Goofs

After the accident with the 1963 light blue Lincoln Continental with suicide doors, the car shown upside down is either a Mercury or Ford of a similar color but without suicide doors and without whitewall tires.

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Quotes

Dr. James Xavier: I'm blind to all but a tenth of the universe.
Dr. Sam Brant: My dear friend, only the gods see everything.
Dr. James Xavier: My dear doctor, I'm closing in on the gods.

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Connections

Referenced in Mean Streets (1973)

User Reviews

If thine eyes offend thee...

Brilliant Doctor Xavier is working on a a serum to hopefully improve human sight, he stumbles upon a formula that can give subjects x-ray vision. Refusing to wait for approval from colleagues, and driven by the potential the serum has, he tests it on himself. At first it seems to be a remarkable, almost beautiful thing, but as things move on, Xavier spirals downwards towards the darkest depths that man can see.

X is a totally memorable piece of sci-fi schlock, at times visceral with its weirdness, and at others wholly disturbing, this ranks as one of the best of director Roger Corman's efforts. Ray Milland takes the lead role of Xavier and adds a touch of class to the proceedings, Xavier's descent is quite something to observe with Milland layering it perfectly. From the jaunty hilarity of being able to see thru peoples clothes, to the joy of being able to beat the casino at their own game, Xavier still has to go further because his pain is too much to bear, and only come the final shocking finale are we the viewers able to see clearly Xavier's pain. 7/10