5.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 2.5 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
In Richard Cunha's Giant from the Unknown, scientists come upon a petrified lizard in the California Mountains. The lizard revives, proving the theory of suspended animation. Excitedly, scientist Wayne Brooks (Ed Kemmer) begins searching for a legendary Spanish giant called Vargas, who disappeared in the region 500 years earlier and who also may be in a suspended-animation state. Brooks discovers all too soon that his instincts a correct: a bolt of lightning releases Vargas (Buddy Baer) from his centuries-long slumber, whereupon the big brute goes on a homicidal rampage.
Starring: Ed Kemmer, Sally Fraser, Bob Steele, Morris Ankrum, Buddy BaerHorror | 100% |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: VC-1
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono
English, Spanish
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (B, C untested)
Movie | 2.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 2.5 |
There’s an indescribable but still undeniable charm to watching lo-fi “monster movies”, especially films that have been consigned to the dustbin of history for one reason or the other. Giant from the Unknown was the directorial work of one Richard E. Cunha, a man who has entered the annals of horror fandom due to the rather incredible feat of having directed not one but four Grade Z efforts that all came out in 1958, with, in addition to this particular film, She Demons, Missile to the Moon and Frankenstein's Daughter helping to cement Cunha’s “reputation” as (in some words quoted from a contemporary review in one of the enjoyable commentaries on this Blu-ray disc) “the poor man’s Ed Wood” (ouch). That may be a bit unfair, since Giant from the Unknown at least offers some generally professional(ish?) performances and some surprisingly good location cinematography (also done by Cunha). The story is ridiculous to the point of provoking laughter, but there are a few low grade chills along the way in a slow moving tale that sees a Spanish conquistador named Vargas (Buddy Baer, in makeup created by the legendary Jack Pierce, who receives a credit in the same oversized font as Baer himself) magically resurrected from “suspended animation” to wreak havoc on an isolated California community.
Giant from the Unknown is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of The Film Detective with an VC-1 encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1 (this is the first VC-1 encode I've personally encountered in quite a while, at least that I can recall). The Film Detective is advertising this as a 4K restoration from the original camera negative, and the results are quite appealing almost all of the time. There are still some very minor signs of age related wear and tear or actual damage to the source that the restoration gauntlet hasn't been able to completely eliminate, as in a brief moment of warping in the forest chase scene toward the end of the film, but for the most part this is a nicely robust and damage free presentation. Smaller specks and flecks also dot the frame with a fair recurrence, but are never much of a distraction. Detail levels are often very good, as in the fine pattern on Morris Ankrum's suit jacket as seen in screenshot 3. There are occasional variances in contrast, and some of the optical work (including a supposed "snowstorm" at the climax) can look a little haggard. Grain occasionally ebbs and flows, but generally resolves very well. On the whole, though, and especially with regard to what a cult item this is (and how modestly it was originally budgeted), this presentation is often surprisingly impressive. My score is 4.25.
Giant from the Unknown features a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono track. The "monster" in this film doesn't really have any identifiable grunts and/or groans, and much of the film is actually totally expository gab fests, with some background ambient environmental sounds in the actual location outdoor work occasionally entering the fray. This track supports all of that perfectly well, as well as rendering the occasionally bombastic score by Albert Glasser without any issues. Optional subtitles in English and Spanish are available.
Giant from the Unknown is goofy as all get out, and Vargas is not exactly the most threatening "monster" in the history of horror films, but maybe that's part of the charm. If the film is silly, some of the extras on this release, notably the really fun commentary by Tom Weaver, may make it a "must buy" for some. For those interested, The Film Detective is also offering a limited edition box set with a bunch of non disc swag. Technical merits are generally solid and the supplementary package on this release quite appealing, for those who are considering a purchase.
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