Very solid early outing from Hammer - I always thought of them as the "lurid color horror studio", but "X" (and the "Silent Scream") proves they could put together an impressively tight and well told tale that didn't involves breasts and blood.
The "Quatermass" influences are all over this, of course, but that's not a problem - the screenplay and the production are crisp and energetic even during the expository scenes. And Dean Jagger is almost the "antimatter" version of Brian Donlevy. His character plays the Quatermass role, but he's infinitely more likable (if a little odd and preoccupied) and humane. (There were moments in the Quatermass films that you had to remind yourself that Donlevy was not actually a jerk, just impatient and arrogant.)
The movie does have a little problem with making a monster that is essentially radioactive mud look and sound menacing, but they wisely limit the actual screen time of the beast and concentrate on its effects and its victims. The result is a little potboiler with some eerie and disturbing moments that are well worth your time if you don't insist on big budget special effects.
If you like Hammer films, classic horror films, or black and white 60's British entertainment,take the time to see "X the Unknown" if you get the chance.
The "Quatermass" influences are all over this, of course, but that's not a problem - the screenplay and the production are crisp and energetic even during the expository scenes. And Dean Jagger is almost the "antimatter" version of Brian Donlevy. His character plays the Quatermass role, but he's infinitely more likable (if a little odd and preoccupied) and humane. (There were moments in the Quatermass films that you had to remind yourself that Donlevy was not actually a jerk, just impatient and arrogant.)
The movie does have a little problem with making a monster that is essentially radioactive mud look and sound menacing, but they wisely limit the actual screen time of the beast and concentrate on its effects and its victims. The result is a little potboiler with some eerie and disturbing moments that are well worth your time if you don't insist on big budget special effects.
If you like Hammer films, classic horror films, or black and white 60's British entertainment,take the time to see "X the Unknown" if you get the chance.