1 / 8
RUNTIME
Did you know
80 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Giant Behemoth
"The biggest thing since creation!"
1959 1h 20m EN
😐
5.8
MID
🥫
17%
ROTTEN
⭐
5.7
IMDB
★5.8TMDB · 62🥫17%Rotten Tomatoes★5.7IMDB · 2,991
Science FictionHorror
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
Marine atomic tests cause changes in the ocean's ecosystem resulting in dangerous blobs of radiation and the resurrection of a dormant dinosaur which threatens London.
“The biggest thing since creation!”
Cast
Gene Evans
Steve Karnes
André Morell
Prof. James Bickford
Leigh Madison
Jean Trevethan
John Turner
John
Alastair Hunter
Dr. C. A. Morris, the village doctor
Lloyd Lamble
Senior Admiral, at the Admiralty
Jack MacGowran
Dr. Sampson, the paleontologist
Maurice Kaufmann
Mini Submarine Officer
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Eugène Lourié
- Writers
- Robert Abel, Eugène Lourié, Alan J. Adler
- Languages
- English, French
- Countries
- United Kingdom, United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
67 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, French.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Eugène Lourié, shot by Ken Hodges. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Edwin Astley. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Lee Doig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Gene Evans and André Morell and Leigh Madison carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Eugène Lourié directs. Ken Hodges behind the camera. Edwin Astley scores. Lee Doig cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English, French.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 180 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
- 267 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
- 3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, French.
- 4International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.
- 5Directed by Eugène Lourié, shot by Ken Hodges. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 6Original score by Edwin Astley. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 7Editor Lee Doig shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 8Gene Evans and André Morell and Leigh Madison carry the top of the cast.
- 9Marketing tagline: "The biggest thing since creation!".
- 10IMDB entry: tt0052611 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
- 11Only 62 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
- 12Classified under 13 themes, including "london, england", "monster", "river thames", "radiation".
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Ken Hodges
- Original score
- Edwin Astley
- Editing
- Lee Doig
- Production design
- Eugène Lourié
- Makeup / hair
- Jimmy Evans
- Runtime
- 80 min · 1h 20m
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
- Certification (US)
- NR
- Rotten Tomatoes
- 17% 🥫 Rotten
- IMDB rating
- 5.7/10 · 2,991 votes
- MPAA
- Approved
Also by
Eugène Lourié
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
- AR
Artistes Alliance Ltd.
- DI
Diamond Pictures Corp.
Key crew
- EditorLee Doig
- ProducerTed Lloyd
- ProducerDavid Diamond
- Art DirectionHarry White
- Production DesignEugène Lourié
- Sound EditorRichard Marden
- Special EffectsWillis H. O'Brien
- Special EffectsPete Peterson
- Special EffectsJack Rabin
- Makeup ArtistJimmy Evans
- Special EffectsLouis DeWitt
- Special EffectsIrving Block
- HairstylistBernadette Ibbetson
- Camera OperatorDesmond Davis
- First Assistant DirectorKim Mills
- ContinuityJennifer Herrinshaw
- Wardrobe MasterFreda Gibson
- SoundSid Wiles
- ConductorEdwin Astley
- Production ManagerJacques de Lane Lea
- Visual EffectsWillis H. O'Brien
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- london, england
- monster
- river thames
- radiation
- giant monster
- paleontologist
- radium
- cornwall, england
- laboratory
- dinosaur
- black and white
- sea monster
- monster movie
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical1959-03-03
- Physical2019-01-22NR· Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray. Cropped to 1.78:1 (16:9).
- Physical2007-06-26· Warner Home Video Cult Camp Classics DVD. 1.85:1 aspect ratio.
- Physical2011-11-10· Warner Archive Collection DVD. Cropped to 1.78:1 (16:9).
