Hammer Films Sets ‘Quatermass’-Adjacent Cult Classic ‘X the Unknown’ As Next 4K UHD Release
by David Lewis
Legendary UK horror house Hammer Films continues its in-depth catalog excavation with the announcement of the cult classic X the Unknown as their next deluxe 4K UHD/Blu-ray release.
After releasing the famed Quatermass Xperiment and Quatermass 2 in 4K UHD and Blu-ray, Hammer is now turning to what fans often call the “missing part” of the series.
X the Unknown predates 1958’s iconic The Blob by two years in its story of a mysterious, shapeless alien entity that claims human victims after being exposed to radiation. Atomic Energy Commission scientist Dr. Royston (Dean Jagger) is humankind’s only hope in this Cold War cult classic written by Hammer regular Jimmy Sangster (The Curse of Frankenstein) and directed by TV veteran Leslie Norman.
Restored in 4K from the original film negatives, the limited edition four-disc 4K UHD and Blu-ray set features no less than three different cuts of the film, a new 5.1 mix, and the original mono soundtrack.
Like previous Hammer sets, the amount of extra features is downright intimidating. The set includes a feature-length making-of and a documentary about blacklisted director Joseph Losey. He was originally slated to helm X, but left during pre-production. Other features include A Man on the Beach — a rarely seen short film written by Sangster and directed by Losey — plus a look at special effects artist Les Bowie, multiple audio commentaries, archival interviews, trailers, a 120-page book, art cards, a double-sided poster, and more.
For completists, the first 500 orders purchased from Hammer’s site will receive a limited edition “mission patch.” X the Unknown will be released July 27th.
And don’t miss Hammer’s first foray into 4K UHD releases, the massive Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter 4K/Blu-ray boxset.