X the Unknown
- Year: 1956
- Country of origin: UK
- Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
- Director: Leslie Norman, Joseph Losey
- Length: 81 min
It kills… but cannot be killed!
Film Synopsis
X the Unknown (1956) follows an atomic research scientist called to examine a lethal disturbance after soldiers are killed near a deep crack in a rural Scottish field. As radiation deaths spread and the phenomenon begins moving toward populated areas, he identifies a subterranean lifeform feeding on radioactive material and works with authorities to track and contain it. This tense British science fiction horror film pits scientific control against a subterranean organism, as containment begins to fail, with atomic age anxiety, radiation spread, and emergency response efforts.
X the Unknown 4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Hammer Films BD-ALL 4K/UK | Scream Factory BD-A/US 2020 | Anolis BD-B/DE 2022 | Shock BD-B/AU 2013 | Anchor Bay DVD-0/US/OOP 2000 | DD Video DVD-0 PAL/UK/OOP 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Dr. Steve Haberman and Constantine Nasr | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by David Kalat | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Andy Murray | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Dr. Rolf Giesen | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Ted Newsom | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Uwe Sommerlad and Volker Kronz | ||||||
| Audio Commentary by Writer Jimmy Sangster, Moderated by Marcus Hearn | ||||||
| Displaced and Damned | ||||||
| Making of “X the Unknown” | ||||||
| The Men Who Made Hammer: Jimmy Sangster | ||||||
| Special Effects Artist Les Bowie | ||||||
| Interview with Writer Jimmy Sangster | ||||||
| British Title Sequence | ||||||
| “The World of Hammer: Sci-Fi” | ||||||
| Trailers from Hell with Joe Dante | ||||||
| Stills Gallery - Photos, Danish Film Program | ||||||
| Theatrical Trailer | ||||||
| “A Man on the Beach” - By Joseph Losey | ||||||
| Super 8 Version |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Hammer Films’ “Limited Edition” 4K UHD includes a 120-page booklet and eight art cards.
- Anolis’ Blu-ray is also available in two Mediabook editions, each containing a 32-page booklet with writing by Dr. Rolf Giesen and Uwe Sommerlad (in German).
- Shock’s Blu-ray of The Quatermass Xperiment includes this film as a bonus.
- Anchor Bay’s “The Hammer Collection” DVD is also available as a “Double Feature” with Four Sided Triangle (1953).
- DD Video’s DVD includes a 24-page booklet with writing by Marcus Hearn and Jonathan Rigby. It is also available in the “Hammer Horror: The Early Classics” box set and as a “2 DVD Set” with The Abominable Snowman (1957).
~ Found an error or know of another edition? Submit a correction or release update. ~
Collector’s guide
Compare presentation quality and explore notable disc extras across selected editions.
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The Men Who Made Hammer: Jimmy Sangster (17:21) -
“The World of Hammer: Sci-Fi” (TV Episode, 1994, 24:33)
| Editions | |
|---|---|
| Extras | Audio Commentary by Ted Newsom Scream Factory BD |
| Audio Commentary by Writer Jimmy Sangster, Moderated by Marcus Hearn DD Video DVD | |
| The Men Who Made Hammer: Jimmy Sangster Scream Factory BD | |
| Interview with Writer Jimmy Sangster DD Video DVD | |
| British Title Sequence Anolis BD | |
| “The World of Hammer: Sci-Fi” Scream Factory BD | |
| Trailers from Hell with Joe Dante Anolis BD | |
| Stills Gallery - Photos, Danish Film Program Anolis BD | |
| Theatrical Trailer Scream Factory BD | |
| Super 8 Version Anolis BD |