Review of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) by Bill H — 24 Jan 2007
One of the great "giant monster on the loose" films of the 1950s. This was stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen's first solo film after apprenticing under Willis (original King Kong) O'Brien in "Mighty Joe Young". Harryhausen shrewdly used.
Innovative rear projection techniques to put his quadruped dinosaur...a "Rhedosaurus"...into the live action footage, thus getting away from the extensive model set work of his mentor O'Brien.
"Beast" tells the story of a giant monster found at the North Pole after atomic testing frees it from an ice field and "rejuvenates" it. It moves down the east coast and attacks NYC, sinking fishing trawlers and destroying a light house along the way. Highlights of the film are the monster gulping down a "Big Apple" police officer and a fiery demise at a burning Coney Island roller coaster after being shot with a radioactive bullet fired by Army sniper Lee Van Cleef of later spaghetti western fame.
A fun flick to kick back and enjoy.
This review of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) was written by Bill H on 24 Jan 2007.
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms has generally received positive reviews.
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