X the Unknown (1956)

A radioactive, mud-like creature terrorizes a Scottish village.

Directors:

Leslie Norman, Joseph Losey (uncredited)

Writers:

Jimmy Sangster (story), Jimmy Sangster (screenplay)

Stars:

Dean Jagger, Edward Chapman, Leo McKern

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)

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?

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Plot Keywords:

man screaming | liquor still | hanky panky | kissing | residue | 

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Taglines:

NOTHING CAN STOP IT! (original print ad - all caps)

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Genres:

Horror | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Released in 1956, this was one of the first, and one of the best, of the "blob" movies that were produced during the 1950s.

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Goofs

There's no explanation given for why the creature returns to the fissure after every meal.

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Quotes

Peter Elliott: How do you explain it, sir? All this extraordinary damage just to steal an old sample container?

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Connections

Referenced in Inside the Tower (2015)

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Soundtracks

Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22: V. Finale: Allegro vivace
(uncredited)
Written by Antonín Dvorák

User Reviews

A Hammer Films Classic

Often overlooked even by those who enjoy the sci-fi films of the fifties, "X The Unknown" is one of those sleepers that real afficionados will watch over and over. Starring Dean Jagger, the cast also features a very young Anthony Newly as a British Army corporal.

There's not much that professional critics would find either amusing or compelling about this film, but when considered in its place as a landmark movie both for the sci-fi genre and for Hammer films, it shines somewhat brighter.

As has aready been mentioned, this film occupies a prominent role among those that feature a "blob" monster. The special effects, incidentally, are not bad for the year (1956), and the concept of a radioactive blob is perhaps even more interesting than one that merely gobbles up people.

I understand that this was one of the early films produced by Hammer, as a step toward making more sci-fi entries. I'm glad they took the chance. This film and those that followed it enriched the genre for all fans of 1950's and 1960's sci-fi films.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

May 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

La incógnita X

Filming Locations:

Beaconsfield Gravel Pits, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$60,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Exclusive Films, Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

81 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1