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The Man With the X-Ray Eyes

1963 1h 19m Sci-Fi List
88% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Intent on enhancing mankind's ocular ability, the brilliant Dr. James Xavier (Ray Milland) invents a formula that allows him to see wavelengths of light outside the normal human spectrum. When his funding is suddenly threatened, Xavier tests the formula on himself despite the protests of his colleague Dr. Diane Fairfax (Diana Van der Vlis). While the formula proves initially useful in a variety of minor tasks, Xavier soon finds himself able to see things that no man was meant to see.

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The Man With the X-Ray Eyes

The Man With the X-Ray Eyes

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Critics Consensus

By turns lurid and disturbing, The Man with the X-Ray Eyes is a compelling piece of sci-fi pulp and one of Roger Corman's most effective movies.

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Critics Reviews

View All (26) Critics Reviews
Variety Staff Variety Director Roger Corman keeps this moving and Ray Milland is competent as the doomed man. Special effects on his prism-eye world, called Spectarama, are good if sometimes repetitive. Jun 6, 2007 Full Review Dave Kehr Chicago Reader This queasy 1963 SF parable was directed--quickly and cheaply--by Roger Corman for American-International, drawing some of its strength from its tawdry drive-in overtones. Jun 6, 2007 Full Review Geoff Andrew Time Out Intelligent sci-fi movie has a powerful performance from Milland. Jun 24, 2006 Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid A rather inventive little "B" movie, with ambitious, sci-fi appeal. Rated: 3/4 May 12, 2024 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy This nifty slice of sci-fi basically plays like Corman's low-rent version of the 1957 classic The Incredible Shrinking Man. Rated: 3/4 Oct 28, 2020 Full Review C.H. Newell Father Son Holy Gore The psychological nature of this tale's examination of a doctor with a God complex, to an extreme length, makes it a major classic of the sci-fi genre. Rated: 4/5 May 6, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Aldo G When it was released (I was five years old), my mother and I walked in at the conclusion of the movie. I was horrified. Today, the film is less horrific, but a testament to the good work of writer/director Roger Corman. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/10/24 Full Review Thom G The Man with the X-Rays is an outstanding low-budget sci-fi/horror film. It revolves around a fascinating problem, both scientifically and philosophically, which is compellingly developed throughout the film, provoking reflection. The film is engaging and Ray Milland's remarkable performance adds significant depth to his character, allowing the viewer to relate to his problems, choices, and obsessions. "I've come to tell you what I see..." Damn, what a memorable scene! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/07/24 Full Review Matt R "I've come to tell you what I see. There are great darknesses, farther than time itself..." I've experimented on myself by having seen five Roger Corman pictures in the last couple weeks. The latest movie I opened my eyes to is 1963's "X The Man with the X-Ray Eyes". Now I can say what I see. The "King of Shlock" is really a genius of low budget filmmaking. "X The Man with the X Ray Eyes" won the "Silver Spaceship" Astronave D'argento award at the first International Festival of Science Fiction Film and for good reason. Academy Award winning actor Ray Milland (Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend) stars as a doctor who experiments on himself to be able to see what no other man can. He ends up seeing far more than he bargained for. The writing and acting are visibly some of the best ever for a low budget flick. "Presented in Pathe'Color and Spectarama" with cinematography by another Oscar winner Floyd Crosby (Tabu: A Story of the High Seas) is a visual delight. Sometimes the images are gruesome and disturbing as you see through Dr. Xavier's eyes. Other times, his point of view is playful and sexy, like at the party where he can suddenly see through people's clothes. Don Rickles is also great as Crane the carnival barker who puts the good doctor to work as Mr Mentallo. "X" is a thoughtful, sometimes disturbing, wonderfully entertaining picture worth seeing. "... And beyond the darkness, a light that glows and changes. And in the center of the universe, the eye that sees us all." Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/24 Full Review Matthew D Utterly fascinating with pretty cool see through eye effects! American director Roger Corman's science-fiction horror thriller X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) is a fantastic old classic. Corman can stretch a dollar more than any other low budget director. Corman's focused direction is enthralling as he explores the dangers of a mad doctor without ethics. The see through sequences are so cool and I loved the 60's party. Writers Robert Dillon and Ray Russell contemplate a mad doctor playing god by giving himself X-Ray eyes. It's interesting how they build up his attempts at helping others, getting money, going madder, addicted to the power, and the greed, skepticism, or charity of others. The script is excellently written and highly imaginative in my opinion. Corman has editor Anthony Carras cut to these neat colorful lenses for the see through organ shots and cute nude flesh for when he looks through clothes. The clever montages of looking at organs are awesome. This is the embodiment of a crowd pleaser. I can imagine how it did well with audiences at drive-in theaters in the 60's on a low budget with these fun scenes. Cinematographer Floyd Crosby's sleek panning shots, creative eye perspectives, and moody noir aesthetics. Producer Roger Corman got amazing films made on hardly anything and X looks incredible and is gripping. X is 79 minutes of strong character drama and wildly creative filmmaking. It would pair well with the original film noir Nightmare Alley. Welsh actor Ray Milland is fantastic as the crazy Dr. James Xavier. His obsession with being able to see people is fascinating. Milland leans into the nurturing healer, helpless fool, smart doctor, and mad scientist aspects of Xavier. He gives his all to this little horror picture. Canadian actress Diana Van der Vlis is gorgeous as the blonde Dr. Diane Fairfax. She is an intelligent medical foil for Xavier, a sweet love interest, and an ethical counterpart to all his mad ravings. I found Diana Van der Vlis absolutely captivating every moment she's on screen. She looks so much like Trish Van Devere or Tippi Hedren. Harold J. Stone is great as the concerned eye doctor and Xavier's best friend Dr. Sam Brant. John Hoyt is solid as the stern Dr. Willard Benson. Don Rickles is hilarious as the shady carnival con artist Crane. He's just sleazy and underhanded enough to be believable. Lorrie Summers is lovely as the playful blonde Party Dancer. She looks like January Jones! Dick Miller gets a fabulous cameo as the skeptic John Trask in the carnival scene. Jonathan Haze's humorous Heckler is amusing alongside Miller. Kathryn Hart is very kindly and frail as old Mrs. Mart. Barboura Morris is nice as the pleasant Nurse. Production designer Daniel Haller makes cluttered scientific laboratories, carnival displays, and dusty old apartments. Art director Daniel Haller's stylized shots for the eye viewing parts are so creative and varied with all sorts of colors and ideas on screen. Composer Les Baxter's sinister film score fits the unsettling atmosphere. Costume designer Marjorie Corso gives all the guys nice 60's suits and the ladies the most colorful and stunning skirts, dresses, and suits. I loved Milland's psychic eye headband and robes. Makeup artist Ted Coodley ensures Diana Van der Vlis has the prettiest pink blush and red lipstick. Betty Pedretti's hairstyling gives the actresses pretty huge 60's mod hair that's fun to see. Overall, X is outstanding with genuinely creative direction from the mighty Roger Corman. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/01/23 Full Review StephenPaul C The greatest 01 hour: and 19 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/05/23 Full Review CodyZamboni Z Watchable, good performances, gets more disturbing as it goes along Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 08/03/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Intent on enhancing mankind's ocular ability, the brilliant Dr. James Xavier (Ray Milland) invents a formula that allows him to see wavelengths of light outside the normal human spectrum. When his funding is suddenly threatened, Xavier tests the formula on himself despite the protests of his colleague Dr. Diane Fairfax (Diana Van der Vlis). While the formula proves initially useful in a variety of minor tasks, Xavier soon finds himself able to see things that no man was meant to see.
Director
Roger Corman
Producer
Roger Corman
Production Co
Alta Vista Productions
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 10, 2017
Runtime
1h 19m
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