'X the Unknown' is a typical and entertaining British sci-fi movie and comes with everything that these types of movies relied on......terrible special effects, a budget that wouldn't feed a church mouse and a silly story that is brought to earth by a well-known cast who play it straight with a good tight script and well-paced direction.There are lots of excellent reviews and information on this site that do this movie far more justice than I can... so I'm dedicating this review to Chris Tarrant and Peter Tomlinson...Thank you so much to Chris Tarrant and Peter Tomlinson who made Friday night Hammer movies such a delicious pleasure in the 1970s on Midlands Television.Every Friday night after the 'News At Ten', either Chris or Peter (sometimes both) would introduce a Hammer film which would take us through to the idiotic conversational bible class at about 12:30 in the morning. This was followed by the loud whiny pitch which let us know that there was no more telly for the night and it was time for Britain to go to bed!While my parents were out at the Officer's Mess at RAF Cosford getting drunk and having a good time, I'd make a big round of sandwiches, steal a few cans of dad's McEwans Pale Ale or Tartan Export Ale and settle in front of the TV on my own, for the best two hours of the week.The movies were usually Christofer Lee or Vincent Price doing their various evil characters and of course, there were also sci-fi movies just like 'X The Unknown'. And as the adverts came around, Chris or Peter (I think they took turns each week) made watching these scary movies so much more fun. Add that to the memorable Cinzano adverts along with the Milk Tray ads and Castella ads, Hamlet ads... my Friday nights were the very best that any kid could have imagined.Thanks, Chris and Peter... You'll never be forgotten for the enormous pleasure you brought to so many people like me, who watched scary Hammer movies in the midlands during the 70s, who were now never alone on a Friday night!

*Spoiler/plot- X, the Unknown, 1956. On a secret atomic energy British instillation, some mysterious local murders occur with horrific results to the bodies. The scientists investigate to find a strange underground living 'putty' that is attracted to all things radioactive, but kills.*Special Stars- Dean Jagger, Edward Chapman, Leo McKern, Anthony Newley, Ian MacNaughton, *Theme- Be careful about opening that door for our atomic age. *Trivia/location/goofs- B & W. A Hammer film from UK. Originally to be a sequel to the big film, Quatermass Xperiment ('55) but the scientist was renamed and re-cast. Look for the British pop singer, Anthony Newley in one of his first screen roles. The film's performers and production staff was affected by the era's Hollywood Blacklist.*Emotion- A wonderfully watchable, enjoyable, and dramatic film. The plot is well produced and easy to follow so the viewer. They can experience some terror and mystery. I would like to own this film.*Based On- Atomic bomb fears and speculation.

"X: The Unknown" marks the first, and thus legendary, first screenplay for noted genre writer Jimmy Sangster, one of the creative forces for Hammer Studios for the '50s, '60s, and '70s. It perfectly fits into the Atomic Age with its story of a rampaging thing loosed from the bowels of the Earth and going in search of the radioactive energy upon which it feeds. A leading scientist, Adam Royston (Dean Jagger), with the help of others, tries to figure out what authorities are dealing with and the means of stopping the menace. A top notch cast is well utilized in this reasonably intelligent and suspenseful sci-fi thriller that works as something of a precursor to "The Blob", especially in scenes where it finally becomes necessary to show the monster. And the special effects are in general pretty good. The makeup effects are especially great for the time as we get to see flesh melting off bodies. And the movie isn't particular about who it kills off, either. Taking place in rural Scotland, the atmosphere is strong and the tension undeniable. It gets our imagination going before finally paying off the premise, and the result is not nearly as cheesy as some viewers might fear. American star Jagger is fine in the leading role, and he does a good job at keeping us watching through various scenes of exposition. (Originally, Nigel Kneale's character creation Bernard Quatermass was to be the centre of the story, but Kneale objected to this.) Edward Chapman as John Elliott, Leo McKern as the intrepid Inspector McGill, Anthony Newley as a soldier, William Lucas as Elliott's brave son, and Michael Ripper as Sergeant Grimsdyke are among the wonderful supporting cast. One wouldn't know from the efficient final result that director Leslie Norman, brought in to replace Joseph Losey, really didn't want to make the film; cast and crew and Hammer executives found Norman disagreeable enough to never want to work with him again, despite the positive feedback the movie received. It's a testament to the talents of the filmmakers that they could still make a solid and gripping story despite this turmoil. It's good stuff and worth seeking out for Hammer enthusiasts. Sangster, who also served as production manager here, pleased the Hammer brass enough that his next project would be "The Curse of Frankenstein", and so a great writing career was born. Eight out of 10.

Writer Jimmy Sangster, the man behind Hammer films such as Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein, and Paranoic, watched earlier this evening, also penned this sci-fi/horror/mystery gem. Sangster, sadly, departed our presence last month, but his legacy of films lives on.Scottish troops are practicing with uranium when one discovers a mysterious opening in the ground. Oscar winner (Twelve O'Clock High) Dean Jagger plays the scientist called in after the discovery. I really liked him in Elmer Gantry and Bad Day at Black Rock, as well as the General in White Christmas. The monster is hokey, and the science is probably bad, but it was fun anyway.