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Title: X the Unknown (1956)
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Dean Jagger | ... | Dr. Adam Royston | |
| Edward Chapman | ... | John Elliott | |
| Leo McKern | ... | Insp. 'Mac' McGill | |
| Anthony Newley | ... | LCpl. 'Spider' Webb | |
 |
Jameson Clark | ... | Jack Harding |
| William Lucas | ... | Peter Elliott | |
| Peter Hammond | ... | Lt. Bannerman | |
|
|
Marianne Brauns | ... | Zena, the Nurse |
|
|
Ian MacNaughton | ... | Haggis (as Ian McNaughton) |
| Michael Ripper | ... | Sgt. Harry Grimsdyke | |
|
|
John Harvey | ... | Maj. Cartwright |
| Edwin Richfield | ... | Soldier Burned on Back | |
|
|
Jane Aird | ... | Vi Harding |
|
|
Norman MacOwan | ... | Old Tom (as Norman Macowan) |
| Neil Hallett | ... | Unwin (as Neil Hallet) | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
British Army radiation drills at a remote Scottish base attract a subterranean, radioactive entity of unknown nature that vanishes, leaving two severely radiation-burned soldiers... and a "bottomless" crack in the earth. Others who meet the thing in the night suffer likewise, and with increasing severity; it seems to be able to "absorb" radiation from any source, growing bigger and bigger. What is it?? How do you destroy a thing that "feeds" on energy? Written by Rod Crawford <puffinus@u.washington.edu>
Taglines:
Can anything escape its terror? See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
UKLanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
May 1957 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
La incógnita X See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
Edit
Dr. Adam Royston: Peter, I'm afraid I don't either. Yesterday the material in that container was giving a danger-point radiation reading. Now, as you just saw, it's nothing.
Peter Elliott: But that's impossible! Isn't it?
Dr. Adam Royston: Yesterday I would have said yes, but this fact is inescapable: The energy trapped in that trinium has been sucked right out of it. And furthermore, these windows were barred and that door were locked all night. So, whoever it was came in here must be... most unusual.
See more »
(uncredited)
Written by Antonín Dvorák
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
According to Jimmy Sangster, director Leslie Norman was not overly interested in making this film, but did anyway for the sake of work. Dean Jagger and other crew members, not to mention Hammer brass, all found Norman very difficult to work with, so much so that despite the film receiving some good notices, Hammer never worked with Norman again. See more »Goofs
There's no explanation given for why the creature returns to the fissure after every meal. See more »Quotes
Peter Elliott: What happened, sir? I don't understand.Dr. Adam Royston: Peter, I'm afraid I don't either. Yesterday the material in that container was giving a danger-point radiation reading. Now, as you just saw, it's nothing.
Peter Elliott: But that's impossible! Isn't it?
Dr. Adam Royston: Yesterday I would have said yes, but this fact is inescapable: The energy trapped in that trinium has been sucked right out of it. And furthermore, these windows were barred and that door were locked all night. So, whoever it was came in here must be... most unusual.
See more »
Soundtracks
Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22: V. Finale: Allegro vivace(uncredited)
Written by Antonín Dvorák
See more »
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Enjoy a night in with these popular movies available to stream now with Prime Video.
I love it due to the mercifully unmusical appearance of Anthony Newley - yes, *that* Anthony Newley. Appearing as L. Cpl. 'Spider' Webb, he disappears midway through the film without singing a note.
I too saw this as a youngster and had the crap scared out of me by the blob monster and the radiation induced deaths. As a former technician who used to work with isotopes and x-ray machines (non-destructive testing), it took a few years to get over my fear of working with radioactive substances.
One of the best of the early sci-fi pics - right up there with the Quartermass trilogy. Definitely worth the time and a bowl of popcorn!