Customer Reviews
Just about very well known Sci-Fi personality - By: B. Chandler, 07 May 2006 
This film has alll the 50's Sci-Fi standards except the flame thrower. We start off with a narrative that shows an atomic test taking place in the frozen north. Two people go out to take readings after the test. One does not come back & the other is delusional, talking of a monster. Naturallly he needs curing & is almost well with a female paleontologist starts to believe him & offers to let him eat her sandwiches & look at mug shots of mobsters past. Can the authorities be convinced before it is too late?
Yes I know most people watched this movie because it has Lee Van Cleef playing a pivotal role. Yet we should not forget the many other familiar character actors that make this a true 50's monster picture. First there is that cute little monster himself curtseys of Ray Harryhausen; when he pushes over a lighthouse I can only think of one of my cats. He had the same mischievous look. Then there is Paula Raymond who has been in every TV play from "77 Sunset Strip" to several "Perry Mason's." Not to mention Cecil Kellaway, Dr. Chumley in Harvey (1950). Kenneth Tobey as Captain Patrick Hendry in "The Thing From Another World" (1951). There are way too many to mention here; so you will just have to watch for yourself.
Fantastic family fun - By: Mr. Gavin P. Brooks, 29 Jan 2006 An absolute Harryhausen classic.
When you consider the age of this film, the special effects are still great, & a testament to Harryhausens work.
The film is far better than similar films of today, mainly because it does not rely on using actors for their ability to look good rather than act, some bint with more mamory glands than talent, or C-G-bloody-I!
The whole family can watch this & enjoy it, & the extras are a must for any Harryhausen fan, though if you already own a Harryhausen DVD the chances are you already own the extras as they alll seem to have them.
The
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms - By: Benjamin Harrison, 13 Feb 2004 The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, first released in 1953, was the original Ray Bradbury/Ray Harryhausen monster film.
The plot involves a hundred million year-old dinosaur that has been rudely awakened by an atomic bomb test, causing it to go on the rampage along the coastline of America.
The Beast itself is very well done -- given that this was made in the 1950s -- & has actuallly dated fairly well. Human actors appear in the form of the nuclear scientist who first discovers the Beast, the inevitable old paleantologist & his female assistant, as well as the usual crowd of terrified citizens & unrealisticallly brave police officers. Also look out for a very young looking Lee Van Cleef, playing a marksman no less! There are few dull moments, & the lead characters are what you might expect from a 50s monster film, but some of the acting is quite good & the lead male & female roles carry a lot of charisma on screen.
The conversion onto DVD is generallly good, & I didn't notice any significant faults with the picture. The DVD also contains a number of extra features, including a short but interesting 'Making the Beast' documentary, & a longer feature about Harryhausen/Bradbury -- which I found to be rather dull, though big Harryhausen fans will no doubt treasure it. There are also four trailers from similar films, & a mysterious 'hidden extra.'
