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IMDbPro

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

  • 19531953
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 20m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
7.9K
YOUR RATING
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
Trailer for this monster movie
Play trailer2:34
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Horror
  • Sci-Fi
A ferocious dinosaur awakened by an Arctic atomic test terrorizes the North Atlantic and, ultimately, New York City.A ferocious dinosaur awakened by an Arctic atomic test terrorizes the North Atlantic and, ultimately, New York City.A ferocious dinosaur awakened by an Arctic atomic test terrorizes the North Atlantic and, ultimately, New York City.
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
7.9K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Eugène Lourié
  • Writers
    • Lou Morheim(screenplay)
    • Fred Freiberger(screenplay)
    • Ray Bradbury(story "The Fog Horn")
  • Stars
    • Paul Hubschmid
    • Paula Raymond
    • Cecil Kellaway
Top credits
  • Director
    • Eugène Lourié
  • Writers
    • Lou Morheim(screenplay)
    • Fred Freiberger(screenplay)
    • Ray Bradbury(story "The Fog Horn")
  • Stars
    • Paul Hubschmid
    • Paula Raymond
    • Cecil Kellaway
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 121User reviews
    • 67Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms
    Trailer 2:34
    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

    Photos141

    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    Paula Raymond in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    Cecil Kellaway in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    Paul Hubschmid and Paula Raymond in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    Cecil Kellaway and Paula Raymond in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    Paul Hubschmid and Paula Raymond in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
    Paul Hubschmid in The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Paul Hubschmid
    Paul Hubschmid
    • Prof. Tom Nesbittas Prof. Tom Nesbitt
    • (as Paul Christian)
    Paula Raymond
    Paula Raymond
    • Lee Hunteras Lee Hunter
    Cecil Kellaway
    Cecil Kellaway
    • Prof. Thurgood Elsonas Prof. Thurgood Elson
    Kenneth Tobey
    Kenneth Tobey
    • Col. Jack Evansas Col. Jack Evans
    Donald Woods
    Donald Woods
    • Capt. Phil Jacksonas Capt. Phil Jackson
    Lee Van Cleef
    Lee Van Cleef
    • Corp. Stoneas Corp. Stone
    Steve Brodie
    Steve Brodie
    • Sgt. Loomisas Sgt. Loomis
    Ross Elliott
    Ross Elliott
    • George Ritchieas George Ritchie
    Jack Pennick
    Jack Pennick
    • Jacob Bowmanas Jacob Bowman
    Ray Hyke
    • Sgt. Willisteadas Sgt. Willistead
    Paula Hill
    • Miss Ryanas Miss Ryan
    • (as Mary Hill)
    Michael Fox
    Michael Fox
    • ER Doctoras ER Doctor
    Alvin Greenman
    Alvin Greenman
    • First Radar Manas First Radar Man
    Frank Ferguson
    Frank Ferguson
    • Dr. Mortonas Dr. Morton
    King Donovan
    King Donovan
    • Dr. Ingersollas Dr. Ingersoll
    Fred Aldrich
    Fred Aldrich
    • Radio Operatoras Radio Operator
    • (uncredited)
    Gertrude Astor
    Gertrude Astor
    • Screaming Womanas Screaming Woman
    • (uncredited)
    James Best
    James Best
    • Charlie - Radar Manas Charlie - Radar Man
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Eugène Lourié
    • Writers
      • Lou Morheim(screenplay)
      • Fred Freiberger(screenplay)
      • Ray Bradbury(story "The Fog Horn")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      While visiting his friend Ray Harryhausen on the set, Ray Bradbury was given a copy of the script (which was going under the working title "Monster From the Sea") and was asked if he could possibly do some rewriting on it. After reading the script, he remarked about a scene in the story (which featured the monster destroying a lighthouse) that seemed very similar to a short story that he had published in "The Saturday Evening Post" several years earlier called "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms". Bradbury's story was about a dinosaur that destroys a lighthouse. The next day he received a telegram offering to buy the film rights to the story for $2,000. After the sale, the film's title was changed to "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms". When Bradbury's story was reprinted years later, he changed its title to "The Fog Horn".
    • Goofs
      Nesbitt, trying to persuade Elson to consider his story, says that Galileo claimed the world is round. That was accepted in Galileo's time. His claim was that the earth moves around the sun.
    • Quotes

      Prof. Thurgood Elson: [in the diving bell, to view the monster] This is such a strange feeling, I feel as though I'm leaving a world of untold tomorrows for a world of countless yesterdays.

    • Alternate versions
      The original 1953 version cuts the shot where the cop is swallowed whole. This shot is restored in the video version of the film.
    • Connections
      Edited from Samarang (1933)
    • Soundtracks
      Don't Take Your Love From Me
      (uncredited)

      Written by Henry Nemo

    User reviews121

    Review
    Top review
    THE BEST DINOSAUR MOVIE EVER MADE
    "The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms" is, quite simply, the best dinosaur-on-the-loose movie ever made. I would say "best monster-on-the-loose movie ever made" if it weren't for that King Kong guy (need we even say which version?). I loved "The Beast" when I was a little kid, and today--some 40 years later--the movie still knocks me out. Forty years ago I loved the fact that, unlike a lot of similar movies that followed in its wake, you don't have to wait a long time for the Beast to make its appearance. It shows up in the first 10 minutes of the film and makes regular appearances thereafter. The look of the creature is very realistic; one of Ray Harryhausen's greatest creations. There are so many terrific set pieces in this film that one doesn't know where to begin, but the attack on the lighthouse, beautifully done in silhouette; the initial sighting of the Beast from the bathysphere; the Beast's attack on lower Manhattan; and the grand finale at the Coney Island roller coaster are certainly all standouts. Music, acting and photography are all first rate, and the script is intelligent and moves along briskly and with purpose. But the main attraction of the movie is the Beasty himself, and every moment that he is on screen is riveting. This picture is a true classic; the inspiration for Godzilla and all the other thawed-out creatures that followed. I have seen this one over 50 times and never seem to get tired o f it. I have seen it several times on the big screen, at one of NYC's many revival theatres, and it is always greeted with cheers whenever the Beast theme begins during the opening whirlpool credits. The movie is well loved and remembered for good reason: It's the best in its class! By the way, it took me many, many years to figure out, but the Professor's last word in the diving bell is "cantileveric." 10/10
    helpful•55
    1
    • sferber
    • Aug 8, 2002

    FAQ9

    • A Note Regarding Spoilers
    • How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
    • Is 'The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 13, 1953 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Monster from Beneath the Sea
    • Filming locations
      • Long Beach, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Jack Dietz Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $210,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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