Giant from the Unknown (Limited to 1,500 Copies) (The Film Detective) Blu-ray Review

Studio: The Film Detective
Release Date: January 3rd, 1958 (theatrical)

January 19th, 2021 (blu-ray)
Run Time: 1 hour 17 minutes 34 seconds
Region Code: A
Picture: 1080p (1.85:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0

English Dolby Digital 2.0
Subtitles: English

Spanish
Slipcover: No
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Ed Kemmer, Sally Fraser, Bob Steele, Morris Ankrum, and Buddy Baer,

Written by Frank Hart Taussig and Ralph Brooke

Directed by Richard E. Cunha

Rating: Not Rated

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Poster

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Quote

Wayne Brooks: If anything happens while you've got me in custody, like another killing, it will be just as if you done yourself. Outside of being the laughing stock of the entire county, you'll have to live with the memory of it for the rest of your hard-headed life.

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What's It About?

Dr. Frederick Cleveland and his daughter Janet are joined by scientific researcher Wayne Brooks in the pursuit of ancient artifacts from Vargas, a giant 500-year-old Spanish conquistador. When a lightning storm interrupts their search, the team finds much more than artifacts when the long-lost Vargas returns to life, with a murderous rage and an axe to grind!

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Film Review

GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN was a film that I had never heard of before The Film Detective announced this blu-ray. The film sounded interesting and I liked the look of the poster so I decided to take a chance. I am glad that I did. The film has a nice feel to it. What I mean by that is it has very clear cut goals to it and it doesn't try to be anything that it isn't. Too many films nowadays try to be everything and most accomplish nothing. Here we have a film that knows that it is a low budget monster movie and decides that it won't try to do anything outside of being a monster movie. We don't focus on the scientist's studies because that is not what the film is about. We aren't given too many details about the monster because that could ruin the monster for the audience. We are given many scenes with the monster causing havoc and that's why we are here. The film is well shot, well-acted, and the monster is scary enough in the context of the film. GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN is a fun little sci-fi monster movie that knows what it wants, gets it, and then doesn't overstay its welcome.

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Video/Audio

GIANT FROM THE UNKNOWN was recently restored in 4K and the results are really nice. Detail can be high with the clothing giving us some really nice touches. Grain is presented and accounted for, which is always lovely. There some film damage here and there, but it never gets in the way of enjoying the film. The 2.0 track also gets the job done with no distortions and dialogue sounding great.

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Extras

A 14-minute interview with actor Gary Crutcher where he talks about his early days in minstrel shows. He got a call to go and audition for the film, but his agent told him not to as the filmmakers were only looking for professionals. He went anyway and he got the part because he looked like the actress whom he would be playing a brother to. He learned how to drive for the film. He tells some really great stories that I will not ruin here. Next up we have a 9-minute interview with film historian C. Courtney Joyner about Bob Steele where Joyner covers Steele's rise in B-movie westerns, his work in OF MICE AND MEN and THE BIG SLEEP, and his decision to not stop working despite everything telling him to do so. There is also a 12-page booklet with an essay by Tom Weaver that covers the basic history of the film.

Commentary with author and film historian Tom Weaver and Guests

Commentary with Co-Star Gary Crutcher

You're a B-Movie Star, Charlie Brown (14m 17s, HD, 1.85:1) Interview Actor and screenwriter Gary Crutcher

The Man with the Badge: Bob Steele in the 1950s (9m 51s, HD, 1.85:1) Interview with author and film historian C. Courtney Joyner

Giant from the Unknown Original Theatrical Trailer (1m 32s, HD, 1.33:1)

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Overall

I am glad this blu-ray exists. The film is fun and the special features are informative with some great behind the scenes stories. The video and audio quality are top-notch too.

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Packaging