X - The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963)

"Only the gods see everything," cautions one scientist as Dr. James Xavier (Ray Milland) experiments with a formula that will allow the human eye to see beyond the wavelength of visible light. "I am closing in on the gods," he responds with the hubris that is doomed to destroy his overreaching ambition. A mix of Greek tragedy and sci-fi potboiler, Roger Corman's X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (simply identified as X in the eerie, odd opening credits) is a familiar tale of a scientist who risks everything to explore the unknown and is finally driven mad by, literally, seeing too much. Peeping through the clothes of comely women is all good adolescent fun until the gift becomes a nightmare as his sight rages out of control. The possibilities suggested in the hints of addiction and inconsistent bouts of megalomania remain tantalizingly unexplored in the unfocused script, and Corman's cut-rate special effects are often more hokey than haunting (the "city dissolved in an acid of light" that Xavier poetically describes becomes fuzzy photography through a series of color filters). Don Rickles offers a venal turn as a scheming carnival barker turned blackmailing con man, and Diana Van der Vlis is understanding as a sympathetic scientist who tries to rescue Xavier from his spiral into tortured madness, but in the tradition of Greek tragedy, he is doomed to be destroyed by the very gifts he desires.

MGM's widescreen disc also features commentary by director-producer Corman. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

Greed Was The Doctor's Downfall

Some wealthy celebrities become addicted to plastic surgery. They continue having operations until they no longer look like themselves. Sometimes, in extreme cases, they no longer appear human. They are greedy individuals who can't stop. For them, enough is never enough.

Dr. Xavier is a greedy physician who has discovered a formula for improving his vision. Is he satisfied with having 20/20 vision? Of course not. He wants to see the entire spectrum of light, visible and non-visible. He keeps pouring the formula into his eyes until he can see through clothes and then through concrete. He can't stop taking the formula. Naturally, there are disastrous consequences.

"X - The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" is a great science fiction film starring horror veteran Ray Milland ("The Premature Burial," "Frogs," and "Dial M for Murder"). He gives a wonderful performance as the tortured physician fleeing from the authorities. This film is captivating and thought provoking. However, it is too slow paced to maintain the attention of the modern horror fan. Dr. Xavier should have gone insane earlier in the movie, soon after the lab monkey died, and committed more heinous crimes. This would have made the film more exciting.

As it is, "X - The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" does a superb job of chronicling the slow disintegration of the physician's psyche. He goes from a carnival side show freak to a Las Vegas gambler. At the card tables, he is unable to stop gambling. His greed for more money possesses him. Greed is definitely his downfall as it is with so many others who suffer addictions.

The gruesome ending of "X - The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" is unforgettable. It is definitely worth watching the film for this alone. I highly recommend "X" for those who appreciate classic science fiction horror. It is also recommended for fans of Ray Milland.
September 3, 2008

The "eyes" have it!

Sorry, I just had to steal that line from Famous Monsters magazine. They ran a shot of Ray Milland at the end of this movie, after a "Lost Weekend". We all know how those are, when your eyes are REALLY bloodshot, but this Ray's fault. When I was a kid, this flick creeped me out bigtime. Haven't seen it since, but I'd love to, but surrealy folks, not for prices like this. Maybe the Roger Corman collection is the way to go. There's got to be some early Jack Nicholson in there. February 26, 2008

Ummm.This movie is in the roger corman box set............

Great movie but rip-off prices for a movie that is available in the roger corman box set... February 22, 2008

X-Ray Eyes and other things that go Bump in the Night

Neat little bit of horror. What a great outlandish idea. Ray Milland as Dr. James Xavier raelly plays this one with convinction considering the genre. That's what makes it work. March 11, 2007

Good solid performance from Ray Milland , creepy

The best thing about this film is the question of what would happen if we each had a great power . How would we personally use it and would would be its effect on us morally ?

One can of course take this idea further , but for now I'm happy to let the film do that .

This may be a B picture and therefore possibly ignored or forgotten , but MGM has done the right thing by making it available again .

As the film goes on , the viewer sees the consequences of a scientific discovery . You should see this film if you are a horror fan or are new to the genre and only beginning to discover the classics of this type .

The ending will stay with you . November 1, 2005

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