X the Unknown (1956) Movie Review

[@bobtnner]

This movie scared the hell out of me when I was a kid. The kids in the woods..The melting x-ray technician..The soldiers frying on the ridge..The man on the pulley frantically screaming to be pulled up while "something" creeps towards him. I liked other blob movies but this is my favorite. Some find it a bit dry with too much dialogue and a long time before the monster shows but I like it for those reasons. It really builds the framework so anticipation builds up also. Dean Jagger was great. Much preferred him over Donleavy's bossy-barky Quatermass. The stark dreariness of the locale just adds to the creepy feeling that something monstrous is out there. Anyway, glad you gave this a 2nd chance and enjoyed your review as always.

[@navelriver]

This scared me at the time too! Quatermas and the Pit (1968)scared me as well but not as much because I was older!

[@mikek3979]

Once again, in a brand new year, you capture the essence of the film. You are precious in every way possible. Thanks for your great work and look forward to your takes on movies and books in 2025.

[@johnmorelli3775]

I love your movie reviews! Great job. Happy belated New Year!

[@enscroggs]

"X" is among my favorites, chiefly because of the Dr. Royston character who is so atypical for a sci-fi movie scientist. Early in the story, there's a scene in Royston's private lab where he tinkers with his theories about radiation. The place has been wrecked and Royston's radioisotopes have been neutralized by someone or something very unusual. Royston's colleagues are astonished and mystified by the situation, but Royston is seen calmly rolling a cigarette.

[@jamescarbonaro596]

JW your movie reviews are so descriptive, enjoyable and on point, and as I've said once before your still shot scene selection is epic and telling!

[@Weiselberry]

@@jamescarbonaro596 Thank you! I put a lot of thought into that.

[@jamescarbonaro596]

@@Weiselberry ❤

[@timcoconnor]

I remember fondly watching X the Unknown in my dark basement sitting on the beat up old couch in the early 60s. Saw it a few months ago and enjoyed it almost as much. Thanks for all the new info Thanks for a great channel!

[@fredrhinehart2481]

Saw this movie when I was 12 years old with my grandparents. this movie gave me the creeps, went to bed that night and had nightmares all in all. It was a good sci-fi. Thanks for the review and some of the memories that I had when I was young staying up late on Friday nights to see this kind of stuff with my grandfather.

[@leebritnell2405]

❤ to you!And a great film choice!

[@winterburden]

Thanks for this neat review!

[@thomasbalentine3699]

Watched this one when I was nine. Borrowed it from my dad's buddy who was a big fan. The scene with the radiation scars on one of the victim's backs gave me chills, and I rarely ever get scared from movies like that. Great review! Look forward to seeing more reviews from you!

[@mpulsiveartist]

Hi Ms. W. Since you've reviewed X the Unknown and previously did The X from Outer Space, now you need to watch The Man from Planet X and complete the trilogy.(I'm pretty sure they're related.) Thank you for all your great videos!

[@Weiselberry]

Ooh, yes!

[@SuperShecky]

The effects are par with Quatermass, and feels like it would have been a reasonable part of the franchise. I think Dean Jagger makes a better Quatermass than Brian Donlevy, even though the latter seems to follow the Nigel Kneal formula of "grumpy old guy" better. We're introduced to the monster's/entity's abilities in an impactful way, though the monster/entity itself is less dramatic than the typical Quatermass creations. I get the feeling that the movie is a bit rushed, despite the somewhat slow pacing. Maybe reflecting the turbulent production. And, yes, the suggestion at the end is curious, perhaps setting up a sequel of sorts, but in the absence of the sequel, I kind of like the open endedness of it.

[@IanFindly-iv1nl]

THIS and Caltiki are also EARTH monsters (hailing from underground), where's the Blob is extraterrestrial (hatching from a meteor).

[@fliegeroh]

Dean Jagger was also in "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949) which I would love to see you review.

[@Weiselberry]

I've seen it, though that was quite a long time ago.

[@dragon-ly2xf]

Your old sci fi movie reviews are good nostalgia---when I was a kid, the local tv station would air old sci fi movies including X THE UNKNOWN, QUATERMASS 2, etc. The only scenes I remember from X THE UNKNOWN are the blob, a mutilated face and Dean Jagger at the crevice at the movie's end. I suggest two old British sci fi movies starring Forrest Tucker---THE CRAWLING EYE and THE COSMIC MONSTERS.

[@ironjade]

Forgive me if I've mentioned this movie before but I really can't remember. If monochrome British SF movies are your thing then you'll love "Unearthly Stranger", a 1963 movie directed by John Krish. Low budget, no fx, no violence to speak of and, amazingly, no over the hill US star, just a bunch of top notch British character actors, a good script and a story based, uncredited, on William Sloane's "To Walk the Night". I've never met anyone else who's seen it.

[@Weiselberry]

I finally got a copy through Ebay and look forward to watching it soon!

[@JEFFIE-jp6kj]

You've made mew ant to watch this one again

[@DanKyrke]

This is a fun movie and could well have fit in as a Quatermass adventure. Not a classic, but I enjoy it. I haven't seen it in years and need to revisit it. Thanks for the review!

[@only257]

Agreed 😊

[@lbbotpn5429]

And to think that, for all these years, I thought this movie was about an algebra problem. I'm glad to be disabused of this notion. ;)

[@petersvillage7447]

On a similar note, I believe there was a sort of 'origin story' movie for the Bermuda Triangle once written, in which it escapes from the laboratory of the mad geometrist Pythagoras...

[@mpopham1]

I saw this one as a small child on TV ca. 1971, I was horrified that the child left outside the church was in danger. Years later I watched it again and was surprised what a brief scene it was. As always your review was fair and perceptive, thanks for another great review

[@alandhopewell]

This used to show up on local tv a lot, and I always watched it; creeped me out each time. Haven't seen it since 1973.

[@johnbaca8692]

Me and the sibs enjoyed this movie the first time that we saw it in the early '60's when we were kids! I'm pretty well set for old movie tips between you and "Terry Talks Movies". It's especially fun when you or Terry introduce me to an old movie that I missed.

[@glennsmusic]

Did I mention my love for early English black and white movies? This is another great one. I particularly appreciate how they manage to underplay it without losing the drama and tension. The characters are all your standard stereotypes, right down to the sergeant so it gets kind of predictable. I was looking out for Steve McQueen. The copy I have, the dialogue is completely overwhelmed by the music towards the end, oh well.

[@buzzawuzza3743]

Creepy crawly monster films are ALMOST as good as mad scientist monster films. I sit there waiting for the line "he meddled in things that man should best leave alone". But you can't go wrong with a blob. Happy New Year, Miss Weiselberry!

[@RussellFarina-c7r]

Great review of a movie that I didn't really care for. To me, a two star flick enjoy your channel very much. So glad I subscribed 😊

[@sodiorne2]

I don't think I've seen this one.

[@ChristinaAlvarez-ft5ur]

I have seen this when I was a small child. It was very scary to me at the time and still has a good atmosphere for its material.

[@DaveF.]

Oh, this is a fun one - could easily have been a Quatermass movie. Nice, fun movie. DId't realise it was as Leslie Normal film. Any movie with Leo McKern is going to be good value. Wonder if you've seen him in The Day the earth Caught Fire - that's quite a good movie.

[@Cbcw76]

ESPECIALLY thumbs-up on the "any movies with Leo McKern" sentiment. EXACTLY. I don't know when I first noticed him (RUMPOLE OF THE BAILEYS, I suspect) but I realize I have seen a 8 or 10 of his earliest films. In X THE UNKNOWN, he's a fairly elevated co-star, and easily has us on his side.

[@nonautomaton6230]

A splendid review of what I would consider a bit of a forgotten (whether rightly or wrongly forgotten...) Classic! 🥰

[@rogervandusen8361]

I've been a fan of Hammer science fiction for some time. I must have first seen X one Saturday afternoon on TV around 1976.

[@davidfrost779]

X the Unknown a hundred times better than The Blob at least we didn't get Steve McQueen or that annoying little brat who's McQueen,s girlfriend's brother

[@ZacharyAustin-t2r]

Hey Jerome! I hope you're doing well and that your new year is off to a good start! I just wanted to say that you have an amazing channel. I first stumbled across it when I was looking up Far From The Madding Crowd reviews and a few of your videos popped up. I ended up watching several of your videos that night, including your top three favorite swashbuckler films, "westerns so good I stopped hating the genre" and your video on Val Lewton's horror films. Growing up, I watched mostly old TV shows and movies on TV Land and Turner Classic Movie channel and I couldn't believe that I found a KZbin channel that discussed old TV shows and movies in such depth. I'm so glad you eventually developed an appreciation for westerns! The original Magnificent Seven, High Noon and For A Few Dollars More are my top three favorite westerns. And Val Lewton's The Ghost Ship is one of my favorite comfort movies. Since discovering your channel, I've watched several of the costume dramas you've reviewed with my mom and grandma. My mom and grandma loved North & South with Richard Armitage, Persuasion and the 2006 version of Jane Eyre. I especially enjoyed watching your Jane Eyre comparison series and listening to you explain the characters and themes of the story. After watching your video about the After The Wedding conversation, I just had to read the book for myself. Both Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester are brilliantly crafted characters. And that scene is possibly the most beautifully written scene I've ever read in any book. I also wanted to recommend two movies to you, that I hope you and your family will enjoy. But neither of them are necessarily review requests. They're just movies that I think you'll enjoy. The first is a suspense, action, thriller called Dead Man Down and it stars Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace. Unfortunately, I can't explain the plot without getting into spoilers. There are a couple of twists that I don't want to ruin, in case you decide to check it out. But I feel I should mention that the first ten minutes have a scene that you might not care for. They use strong language throughout the beginning and well, I just don't think you'd care for it. But if you do check it out, I honestly think you'd love the story. It's both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It's a story about healing from trauma, the immoral and destructive nature of revenge and overcoming one's inner darkness. I've loved the movie ever since I saw it in theaters back in 2013 and every time I watch it, I'm always moved by the story. If you check it out, I hope you enjoy it! But in case you don't enjoy Dead Man Down, I'll also recommend I Am Dragon. I'm sure you'd enjoy watching that one. It's a Russian, fantasy, romance film and it's another favorite of mine. You can watch it for free here on KZbin. It's also available on Peacock and Amazon Prime. Oh! Just be sure to watch the movie with the original Russian audio and not the dubbed English version. -The English dubbed version is just...terrible. Haha! Anyway, I'll end this comment here. I hope you and your family are all having a good weekend!

[@Weiselberry]

Thank you for all those kind words! I'm happy to welcome another classic film fan, and I'm so glad my videos have helped introduce you to some new things as well. I'm especially excited to hear that your mom and grandmother enjoyed the costume dramas and that you decided to give Jane Eyre a try, and with such favorable results!

[@robertnigro1430]

Thanks for this one. I seen this movie many years ago and liked it ever since

[@DomVonDoom]

Kept waiting for the First Doctor Who pop up in this one

[@only257]

Great review 😊

[@garyarmitage9359]

I saw this any years ago and I loved it!

[@juxapostion]

Original UK certification.......X

[@StephenSkinner-y1c]

Thank you Miss Weiselberry, I've often wondered why this film didn't get more traction, watching your review I now understand. The slow development would count against it, even more so nowadays when our attention spans have atrophied considerably. Then being in black and white would lessen its appeal still further as audiences became accustomed to colour after the 1950's. I've always liked the film, (I'm science trained so I like scientific explanations, the more loopy the better!) and I'm pleased the review is mostly very positive. The autobiography by the film's writer looks like a reference book well worth having for a film buff. As he was actually a writer, and you mention it is a humorous read, it must be well written. Even the title, Do You Want it Good or Tuesday is excellent. Encapsulating his work experience at Hammer and giving the reader a knowing smile at the same time.

[@Weiselberry]

@@StephenSkinner-y1c Yes, the book is definitely both informative and entertaining. I always loved that title, and I also appreciate Sangster's down-to-earthiness and self-deprecation.

[@vernonbrown9275]

I remember seeing this when it first came out with the other feature being Curse of Frankenstein! It was 1957. X the unknown scared me far more than Frankenstein!!😮😮😮

[@hyperzzzzz1]

Funny, we just watched it two weeks ago! Thought it a pleasant diversion. Thanks!

[@Ruby_Kang]

Ah! Like you, and no doubt many others, I've been meaning to watch "X the Unknown" ever since seeing the Quatermass movies/dramas many years ago. I like the premise and concept (I was aware of the basic details and ending so this video hasn't been a spoiler for me). From watching your review, the mystery, suspenseful build-up, atmospheric night photography and scientific angles all seem very appealing. So, I think it's due time I got around to watching this one soon if I can get hold of a copy. Thank you for the review.

[@Weiselberry]

@@Ruby_Kang I hope you're able to find a copy! I got mine on Ebay.

[@pureblood1966firehorse]

Begs the Question? Has there Been a Film without showing the Monster? I Think you could make that work, The Best Horrors always use Close ups, Dialogue and Narrative before Reveal.

[@wmbriggz]

Actually 2 came close….1958 curse of the Demon wasn’t supposed to have one…and the studio made them add it…and the 2019 vast of night has the monster likewise tacked on at the end.

[@reader1956]

it's hard to go wrong with Dean Jagger and Leo McKern. [McKern is wonderful in "The Day the Earth Caught Fire".] This movie, along with the Quatermass movies, is quite good. Lots of tension - editing and music.

[@spacecow149]

have you seen Hundreds of Beavers?

[@janeotoole2037]

Hi,Jerry (that feels better than calling you Jerome!) I must say, you can get me to watch movies I wouldn't watch in a million billion trillion years. And like them! I really liked this one, maybe because I was expecting it to be cheesy and laughable (I watched it before checking your review), and it was neither of those things. The gadgets didn't look fake, the science seemed kind of plausible, and the acting was way above average. I think Dean Jagger was one of those actors who didn't know how to give a bad performance, and had a best supporting actor Oscar win to prove it for "Twelve O'clock High", and a youthful Leo McKern? What a bonus! I did find myself asking why this or that person didn't melt when they got pretty darned close to the creature, while others did get burned or melted, but why ask why when you're watching this genre of film. It only got slightly cheesy when the goo came sliding down the road, but in 1956 it might have drawn the right kind of gasps! Thank you for calling attention to this fun movie. I live in Pittsburgh, and watching this life and death struggle was preferable to watching the Steelers struggle against the Ravens!

[@alv4794]

Great movie and great review. I actually thought this was a Quatermass movie. I did not know that Joseph Losey co-directed this. "These Are The Damned" another Hammer movie directed by Losey is a very interesting and strange film with more of a Cold War theme.

[@Cbcw76]

I don't know if this is formally part of the British "Quota Film series, but it might be. After WWII, Britain was trying to find of ways to pay off war-debt, and there was a large number (dozens? a few hundred?) that offer war-debt relief IF the Brit studios would hire American actors. Most of the time, the actors were, uh, low profile - such a Dean Jagger. Some were decidedly on their way 'down' the Demands list (like Pat O'Brien, but oh what a surprise - he was a principal in the giant hit SOME LIKE IT HOT). George Raft made at least one film, a low-budget detective type film, which was usually the standard plot. Also, there was Brian Donlevy in the original QUATERMASS XPERIMENT (1955) and QUATERMASS II before that. But here we have one of the earliest BLOB films, and one of the best and most fun, too. Pity those poor Tonka fire trucks overwhelmed by the Goo.

[@Cbcw76]

I enjoy Dean Jagger as the waffling industrialist daddy to Natalie Wood, who has captured the eye of young-turk industrialist James Garner in CASH McCALL. This feels SO MUCH like the Hallmark romance films in this century, but CASH has - well - considerably more star power.

[@mikesilva3868]

Great 😊

[@ygstuff4898]

As cheesy, strange, and awkward as these films are, I really enjoy them. Although I have them downloaded, so I can watch whenever, when I see they are playing on my "classics" TV channels, I must watch them. Great background information, and wonderful review (with great JW additions). And...Happy New Year.

[@arneldobumatay3702]

There's a colorized version of this film on Internet Archieve under the videos category. It's pretty clean with just a little "red flaring" in some night time scenes.

[@wmbriggz]

Sadly, I can’t find this to watch.sounds like a fun one, tho.

[@LiamMichael-zr1uz]

I found it on the Internet Archive, but it's colorized so don't tell Weiselberry I told you about it! :D It's a pretty bad colorizing effort too!

[@wmbriggz]

@ thanks! 🌈🌈🌈🐸

[@Weiselberry]

@@LiamMichael-zr1uz Booooo! :)

[@Weiselberry]

@@wmbriggz I bought it on Ebay.

[@wmbriggz]

@ ahh..thanks…

[@patrickmogck9671]

Sounds a bit like Dr. Who's brother's, cousin's, priest's misadventures gone wrong - 📺🤖

[@bartolomeuomacduibheamhnad6855]

Happy Sunday :) I was surprised by this films quality and was engaged with the story, I was going to say from the beginning but maybe ten minutes in. The film felt familiar in some respects to others of it’s type and included a staple of the genre with the victim screaming in close up as the thing approaches but there’s surely enough time to get away lol kzbin.info/www/bejne/omW4d4SNgM-slassi=JXUaw_TzkKpdI5M5 Although the film does have some familiar tried and trusted elements there was still more than enough quality writing, filmmaking and acting to make this film memorable and worth a watch. My reaction too, first act- okay I’m invested. second act- I’m all in and like Dean Jagger as the lead, I find him believable. third act- THE BLOB! lol, I thought it still looked good though but did find myself distracted briefly wondering which of the two would win in a fight, probably X the unknown because it’s radioactive? or maybe they’d slime together, ew! The end of the film was strange but I kind of liked it. If they’d made a sequel I wonder what they would’ve called it, X the known, X the Blob before the American Blob film was made. Maybe because of the blob they’d have to use the gloop, glob or the slime. eww, thought of another possibility- the snot or the bugger, after sometime at the fissure Dr. Royston discovers it’s not a fissure at all but a giant runny nostril and puts together a plan to drop hundreds of gallons of Nytol or Benadryl into the fissure/nostril to stop more buggers from emerging. Okay I just ruined it, no green light on a sequel for me. Really fun review with some excellent insight on the making of the film. ~ Thank you Ms Weiselberry ~

[@Weiselberry]

Haha, yikes, thanks for that mental picture! :D

[@guaposneeze]

I choose to believe that this is a prequel to the X Men. Or at least a prequel to Mutant X.