The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) Limited Edition Boxset Review
The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963) Limited Edition Boxset Review
Obsessed with expanding the powers of human sight, renowned scientist Dr James Xavier (Ray Milland – DIAL M for MURDER), aims to develop a formula that will allow the user to see beyond the visible spectrum. Despite warnings from his friend Dr. Brandt (Harold J. Stone – SPARTACUS) and business associate Diane Fairfax (Diana Van Der Vlis – THE SWIMMER), he experiments on himself and finally perfects a serum that gives him the power to see through solid objects. But his ambitions turn to obsession. No longer able to control the effects, his vision extends beyond the realms of human comprehension until he finally sees more than he can bear.
Directed by Roger Corman THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES sounded just like the kind of film that I could sit down and enjoy with a big giddy smile on my face as I simply adore the B-movies of yesteryear. Sadly I was left wanting by this run-of-the-mill, workman-like offering. It opened up strong with a static shot of a bloody eyeball – the shot is so static in fact that I was beginning to think that the disc had frozen – and based purely on this grisly opening it really did look and feel like I could be in for a treat.
Instead Corman’s film follows the standard template for movies about scientists that dabble with matters that they really shouldn’t be dabbling in and it also fails to make much sense when held up to close scrutiny. There seemed to be no consistency to the level as to what Xavier could see with his x-ray vision. For some he could simply see what their internal medical complaint could be but elsewhere he could see people without clothing rather than inside their bodies. This would imply that he had power to adjust the level to which he could peek within – that just didn’t work for me.
THE MAN WITH THE X-RAY EYES is that sort of movie whereby someone could casually overlook the fact that a fellow doctor has just deliberately sliced another’s hand with a scalpel as if it were a mere trifle. It’s also the sort of movie where a character calmly suggests that the lead character should run after watching him push a man out of a high window to his death, rather than scream out in shock. As always it was nice to see Corman regular Dick Miller make a brief appearance, this time as a sceptical punter at Xavier’s pier amusements sideshow; however aside from that I was left feeling rather disappointed.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- New interview with Director Roger Corman
- Introduction by Author and Diabolique Editor Kat Ellinger
- Audio Commentary by Roger Corman
- Audio Commentary by Tim Lucas
- Original Prologue
- Joe Dante on The Man With the X-Ray Eyes
- ‘Trailers from Hell’ with Mick Garris
- Trailer
LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
- Rigid slipcase featuring new artwork by Graham Humphreys
- Reversible poster with new and original artwork
- Soft cover book with new writing by Jon Towlson and Allan Bryce
