Review of 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) by Kevin R — 23 Oct 2011

You don't know Texas. It is a country close to America and it is filled with cowboys.

An American space craft crashes in Italy and sinks deep into the sea. Before the ship completely sinks a strange container is dislodged and washes onto the local shore. A small boy finds the container and sells it to a local professor. The professor opens the container to find a small creature that seems to grow within Earth's atmosphere. Can the Unites States and Italian governments work together to contain the beast?

"I've had nightmares before, but I've never dreamed of anything like this.".

Nathan Juran, director of The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Jack and the Giant Killer, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, and The Golden Blade, delivers 20 Million Miles to Earth. The storyline for this picture is classic science fiction with a wonderful backdrop (Rome). The action scenes are brilliant and are presented by the wonderful Ray Harryhausen. The cast delivers solid performances and includes William Hopper, Joan Taylor, and Thomas Browne.

"You caught me unprepared. I've been cooking over a hot creature all day.".

I came across this movie while flicking through the channels and had to DVR it since the special effects were created by Ray Harryhausen (one of my favorites). I adored this film's special effects and the alien versus the elephant fight at the end of this picture was Harryhausen at his best. I do recommend seeing this picture if you are a fan of the old school science fiction classics and/or the original Sinbad and Clash of the Titans pictures.

"If you must be here, stand still and be quiet.".

Grade: C+/B- (6.25).