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Released by Kino Lorber
Released on: May 12, 2015
Directed by: Roger Corman
Cast: Ray Milland, Diana van der Vlis, Don Rickles, Harold J. Stone
Year: 1963
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The Movie:
Dr. James Xavier (Ray Milland) is experimenting with an exciting new eye elixir which he hopes will cause a breakthrough in the area of vision. His new drug will allow its user to see more than just the normal realm of human eyesight. Dr. Xavier believes this will cause a sea change in the health profession, causing increased advancements with the surgical process. However, when his funding is cut, the good doctor begins to experiment on himself. This leads to the accidental death of his scientific partner, Dr. Sam Brant (Harold J. Stone). Fearing Xavier will be deemed insane, his friend and fellow doctor, Diane Fairfax (Diana van der Vlis) tells him to flee the scene. The chase is now on for Xavier, who still hopes to experiment on himself with his new drug.
X: The Man With the X-Ray Eyes is one of the many great films Roger Corman made in the 1960s. While the film is of an obvious low budget, Corman never lets this get in the way. He always finds inventive ways to make up for any budgetary short comings, ultimately making an incredibly strong film. X is exciting, interesting, and horrific, the film works as fun escapist fare and as a philosophical film on the state of man, science, and religion. The film never falters, even the dated doctors' party scene is funny and highlights Xavier's isolation from others. He is rigid and aloof. Xavier does not become truly comfortable at the party until his eye drops begin to work. He is not only pleased that his new drug works, but having the ability to see the other party goers nude gives him an extra layer of comfort no one else is allowed.
X is a film packed with special effects. For a film of this nature to work, the audience will have to experience what is happening to Xavier's vision. This is accomplished with a series of primitive effects shorts. Again, this does not create a short coming for the film. Instead, the proto-psychedelic imagery adds a surreal, almost trippy, atmosphere to the film. This, in my opinion, connects X to a later film of Corman's about a man experimenting with drugs to alter his sense of reality, The Trip. In fact, X seems like a filmic relative to multiple Corman films, including The Wild Angels, The Tomb of Ligeia, and House of Usher, just to name a few. X really highlights the incredible high quality of much of the films Corman produced in the 60s. This film is a great reference point for claiming Roger Corman as one of the best American-born directors working in the 1960s. Off the top of my head, Stanley Kubrick is one of the few directors to have had a better decade.
X also boosts one of the best casts in a Corman film. Ray Milland is outstanding as Dr. Xavier. He is able to capture both the drive and despair of the character. Diane van der Vlis is also very good as his girlfriend, Dr. Fairfax. She, along with Robert Dillion and Ray Russell's script, make her more than they typical female character of the era. She is smart and accomplished, Fairfax is more of an accomplice to Xavier than just a mere hanger-on. Don Rickles is also great as the wormy, sleazy Crane. He is a true dirt bag, exploiting Xavier's predicament to his own financial gain. Rickles is given a great moment when he states he would use Xavier's power to see as many naked women as he could. Dick Miller and Jonathan Haze have small roles as hecklers at the carnival show Xavier is in, they are a lot of fun as jerks who receive their comeuppance from the doctor.
Dr. Xavier is an interesting character for this type of film. He is not driven by greed or power, but rather a determination to help others. We see this during a surgical scene and with an accident at the carnival. Both times, he exposes himself to repercussion in order to give assistance those in need. The times when he is reduced to rip-off money only occur because he is blackmailed by Crane and in order to find a cure for his eyes. Despite his intent to help others, his downfall is due to his hubris and ego. It is these traits that cause him to experiment on himself and to show off at the casino. His noble heart paired with the already mention undesirable traits make him a Greek tragic figure of sorts. He means well but ego leads to downfall. The ending with Xavier plucking out his eyes relates the film to Sophocles' Oedipus Rex.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Kino Lorber's DVD of X: The Man With the X-Ray Eyes is presented in 1.85:1. The image is greatly improved over the old, washed out MGM DVD released more than 10 years ago. The colors are vibrant, check out the purple dressing room, and detail is good. The image has heavy grain during the special effects shots, but it is not distracting. I doubt this film could look any better. The audio on the disc is Dolby Digital 2.0 and it sounds very good. Everything is mixed well and the dialogue is never overpowered. Subtitles are included on the DVD.
Kino has packed the DVD with some great extras. The release has two commentary tracks, one with Corman and a second with Video Watchdog publisher Tim Lucas. Corman's track is from the MGM disc, it is nice and Corman has a great, calm voice, almost grandfatherly. While Corman is easy to listen to, the track features quite a bit of dead space where nothing is being said. Lucas' track is his usual well researched, information heavy commentary. He gives great anecdotes and analysis on the film, he also relates an amusing story about seeing the film with his family. His aunt was shocked at the bare legs and backs of the dancers during the party scene.
Also included is a six-minute appreciation of the film with director Joe Dante. It is a nice interview but I had a hard time hearing everything he said, Dante seemed to be mixed too low. A rare five-minute prologue to the film is also on the disc. It is pretty interesting and there was a section which brought to mind Corman's The Pit and the Pendulum. While the prologue is not bad, it would have added nothing to the film other than slowing the pace. Corman was smart to drop it from the final cut. Lastly, the trailer is presented both in its original form and with a commentary from Mick Garris.
The Final Word:
A truly great film. Tim Lucas calls the film Corman's masterwork and that tag does not seem out of place. X: The Man With the X-Ray Eyes showcases not only Corman's talents, but also the talents of everyone that worked on the film. This is an excellent release, one a film of this quality deserves.
