Rating: 
Summary: Intelligent SciFi at Its Best
Review: A studio usually known for its horror fare, Hammer Studios nevertheless turned out quite a few intelligent science fiction films in the Fifties and Sixties. And this film is no exception. The film stars Dean Jagger(British films of the fifties usually placed an American in the lead to assuage the American audience)as a nuclear scientist called in by the British Army to investigate a strange outbreak of radiation, and the resultant death of a soldier, in an abandoned Scottish gravel pit. The mystery builds from there as more people are killed by this strange force or creature. With the help of a young Leo McKern as a government investigator, Jagger is able to identify and eventually destroy the creature.As with most sci-fi films of its time, most of the characters of "X the Unknown" are familiar territory. Jagger, the renegade (of sorts) scientist working at a government nuclear facility where he clashes with the bureaucratic director (a fine Edward Chapman). Jagger is working on an outside experiment to defuse radioactivity through the use of sound, a project the director frowns upon, especially since there is plenty of official work to be done. The F/X is also primitive; as with most of its other Fifties breathren "X the Unknown" works best when the monster is not seen. Then why recommend this film so highly? Simple. Given the limitations of special efects and budgets in those days, the emphasis had to be more on the script, characters and acting. And this is what "X the Unknown" has in abundance. The script is taut and intelligent, the characters well drawn, even though they are stock characters at base. The chemistry between Jagger and McKern is especially good and adds to our enjoyment of ther proceedings. And watch for the young Anthony Newley and Ian MacNaughton (who would later gain fame as the director for the Monty Python television show)as British soldiers in a bit of comic relief. The DVD transfer is excellent and a documentary of British science fiction films is an added plus. If you love science fiction films, this one is a can't miss. Especially if you remember seeing it on television as a child.
Rating: 
Summary: Mud blood
Review: As with the original "Cat People" it is what you don't see that will spook you. Appropriately named "X- The Unknown" this move is about a creepy monster that is unknown and one has to figure out how to deal with it. This has all the "Stay in the car" type thrills that will later be used in "The blob." Soon enough you find that it is - mud out for blood. So once again we must turn to our scientists to protect us. But can they do it this time?
Rating: 
Summary: Scared the xxxx out of me when I was a kid!
Review: Classic tale of radioactive, intelligent mud with the power to strip flesh, leaving nothing but a grinning (Grateful Dead?) skeleton. That's all I remember from 35 years ago, along with the end, which I won't reveal.
Rating:
Summary: Radioactve mud threatens a Scottish village
Review: Hammer Films tried to follow up on the success of "The Quartermass Experiment" with this tale starring Dean Jagger as Dr. Adam Royston, an atomic scientist. Royston is called to a remote Scottish town to investigate a mysterious and deadly outbreak of what appears to be radiation poisoning. It soon becomes clear than some sort of subterranean, radioactive entity has come up from a bottomless crack that appears in the earth. Royston figures out the thing feeds on energy, which is going to make it very difficult to destroy. Writer Jimmy Sangster delivers an intelligent script that manages to make "X--The Unknown" as much a science fiction film as it is a horror movie. This film is certainly up to the standard of the Quartermass films. Leslie Norman (Dukirk," "The Lost Continent") directed this 1956 film, although I want to point out that he did replace the original director, Joseph Losey ("Boom," "Modesty Blaise"), who had moved to England to avoid the Hollywood blacklist. This DVD includes the theatrical trailer and the science fiction segment from the "World of Hammer" documentary.
Rating:
Summary: Radioactve mud threatens a Scottish village
Review: Hammer Films tried to follow up on the success of "The Quartermass Experiment" with this tale starring Dean Jagger as Dr. Adam Royston, an atomic scientist. Royston is called to a remote Scottish town to investigate a mysterious and deadly outbreak of what appears to be radiation poisoning. It soon becomes clear than some sort of subterranean, radioactive entity has come up from a bottomless crack that appears in the earth. Royston figures out the thing feeds on energy, which is going to make it very difficult to destroy. Writer Jimmy Sangster delivers an intelligent script that manages to make "X--The Unknown" as much a science fiction film as it is a horror movie. This film is certainly up to the standard of the Quartermass films. Leslie Norman (Dukirk," "The Lost Continent") directed this 1956 film, although I want to point out that he did replace the original director, Joseph Losey ("Boom," "Modesty Blaise"), who had moved to England to avoid the Hollywood blacklist. This DVD includes the theatrical trailer and the science fiction segment from the "World of Hammer" documentary.
Rating:
Summary: One of the better classic horror movies I've seen.
Review: I first saw this movie in Charleston SC about 1957. I was about 9 years old. It really scared me to think that mud could move the way it did, eating everything in it's path, and nothing could stop it. The radioactive sound of the monster was enough to give shivers down my spine. This motion picture, in my opinion, is Dean Jagger's best!!
Rating:
Summary: At the time it preceeded the Blob, but to me was more real
Review: I too saw this movie as a young boy in Columbus, Ohio and it scared the BG's out of me too...great early si-fi and great early English movie...
Rating:
Summary: Vivid Sci Fi Thriller That Still Packs A Punch
Review: In this present day we as movie audiences have become largely used to huge big budget sci fi extravaganza's filled with mind blowing special effects and not much character development aimed almost solely at the youth market. In the light of this type of entertainment you would think that a viewing of an effort such as Hammer Studios "X - The Unknown", from the mid fifties relying as it does on minimal special effects and a low budget to tell its story would be somewhat of a let down. However after recently viewing this effort again after many years that belief could not be more wrong if it tried. Here we have one of the earliest efforts from Britian's famed Hammer Studios who became more famous for later reviving the Dracula and Frankenstein characters but who in actual fact did superb earlier work with this effort and the famed Quatermass films. "X- The Unknown", is a classic example of where an original and intriguing story combined with realistic characters are put ahead of letting special effects lead the story. What we have here then is an arresting little thriller that slowly builds its tension and provides most of its thrills from its eerie atmosphere and from what is implied or left off screen. It proves what the earlier filmmakers at studios like Hammer were capable of achieving often on shoe string budgets and tight production schedules.
The story of "X - The Unknown", begins innocently enough with a routine army exercise in a marshy field where the soldiers are locating planted radioactive heads with geigar counters. However something strange begins to happen and very quickly a fissure opens up that unleashes horrific radio active waves that cause severe burning when in contact with humans. Dr. Royston (Dean Jagger), a scientist from the local research station is brought in to investigate however he is baffled by what has caused this disturbance. When other incidents are reported of people experiencing severe radiaction burns Dr. Royston, despite the opposition of his supervisor John Elliot (Edward Chapman),begins to develop a theory that what is causing these attacks is an ancient entity from the centre of the earth that has been released by the opening in the fissure and is now on the move trying to find food from other radioactive sources. When the hospital is raided by the force and an orderly is killed by being literally melted away Dr. Royston backed up by Inspector McGill (Leo McKern) who believes totally what the doctor is trying to do, decides that action must be taken to destroy this prehistoric mass before it grows any bigger from feeding on any available radioactive substances. As time runs short and panic among the local population rises alarmingly Dr. Royston continues his experiments to try and find a way to destroy the mass and eventually discovers a means of possibly doing it with the use of high frequency waves. Duplicating the experiment in a larger form on the edge of the fissure with the help of assistant Peter Elliot (William Lucas),he manages to lures the mass out of the fissure with some radioactive material upon which he manages to disintergrate the mass.
The real strength in "X - The Unknown", lies in the total conviction that the main characters bring to their playing when faced with a potentially exciting story that because of the budget had to rely on minimal special effects to get the terror across to the audience. Full marks must go to lead cast members; veteran Hollywood actor Dean Jagger, Edward Chapman, William Lucas and especially a young Leo McKern for playing their parts seriously and never for one moment losing their conviction in the parts they are playing. Dean Jagger at first glance may have seemed an odd choice to take on the lead role in this all British Hammer thriller however he is the calm rational centre of the story and teams especially well with Leo McKern as his loyal support in his efforts to destroy the radioactive mass threatening the country. Of interest in the cast also are later Hammer regular Michael Ripper in the role of Sgt. Grimsdyke and a very young Anthony Newley as one of the two young soldiers placed on guard duty at the fissure who become the victims of the radioactive mass. "X- The Unknown", despite its small budget does boast some splendid photography and the plentiful nighttime shooting really enhances the eerie quality of much of the story. With much of the story taking place in mist shrouded marsh lands at night the natural landscape plays an important role in bringing this story to life and the sound effects employed to accompany the radioactive mud on its rampages through the countryside also were first rate. Despite the small budget the special effects however sparse in "X - The Unknown", are first rate for the time. The scenes of civilians seemingly melting before the viewers eyes when in contact with the radioactive mass are unforgettable and really were the forerunners to Hammer's justly famous decomposition scene at the end of their classic "Horror of Dracula", a couple of years later. The horrid mass itself when it finally does show itself is similiar in appearance to that from the legendary "The Blob", and despite the technical advancements since this time in computer imagery it still is very effective.
Films like "X _The Unknown", certainly come from an earlier and in many ways simpler era of movie making however I feel efforts such as this are just as effective as entertainment as the splashy blockbusters we see nowadays in the cinemas. The real power in an effective sci fi or horror effort should always be in what is implied or only shown sparingly. Whether that was the original intention or not of the filmmakers in "X - The Unknown", is impossible to say but what we are left with is a highly effective and quite chilling little horror tale that keeps the interest up to the final frame. Radioactive mud terrorising the countryside at first thought might not seem too frightening but it is an original idea where the mass almost has a brain of it's own and is a great twist that helps build the suspense. To see one of Hammer Studios earliest efforts in the field of horror where later they became one of the leaders make sure you catch "X -The Unknown", soon.
Rating:
Summary: X-THE UNKNOWN IS XCELLENT
Review: It has been over 30 years that I first saw X-The Unknown. When it became available on DVD I jumped at the chance to buy it. The story while very 50ish (atomic terrors reaching out for us) holds up very well today.The acting is first rate, and even through the scientific explanations you feel that the story line is quite plausible. I am especially impressed with the clarity of the picture. I expected a very grainy film but was surprised to see a clear sharp picture. Add to this an exciting musical score and the atmosphere is set. X THE UNKNOWN is a fine example of a talented cast, crisp direction, and errie musical score. I recommend this highly.
Rating:
Summary: Suspenseful
Review: Most science fiction movies depend on gimmicks and gadgets to keep the audience's attention. This one depends on suspense.
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