Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39059 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-08-28
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Spanish, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 83 minutes

Amazon.com
A highlight among 1950s creature-features, The Monster That Challenged the World is a near-classic B movie that never goes out of style. When an earthquake reveals a nest of giant, prehistoric sea mollusks at the bottom of California's Salton Sea, the local body count skyrockets. Navy lietenant Twillinger (Tim Holt) takes command, assisting the obligatory scientist (Hans Conreid) while wooing the June Cleaver wanna-be (Barbara Darrow) who inevitably tangles with the monster--a flailing caterpillar-like beastie with snapping mandibles and a voracious appetite. With a moment of vintage gross-out ("Get the eye! Get the eye!"), well-handled suspense, and the requisite balance of tepid romance and sci-fi jargon, this is a prime companion to any film in the atomic-monster lineup. The aging Holt made only two more movies after this (following a thriving career in Westerns), but he gives Monster his best shot and comes up a winner. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Creepy Monsters Make Great Movie
Yes, this is an oldie, but a goodie. One of the best of the 50's. If you can travel back in time to the days of 25 cent movies and 10 cent popcorn, then you would enjoy such a treat as The Monster That Challenged The World. Pitted against today's horror specials, this one holds it own. It certainly was a shocking film during the 50's and is well remembered by those brave enough to view it alone. So, on a dark evening, lock your doors and windows, get out the popcorn and cuddle up for a trip back in time and enjoy one of the best from the 50's.

ESCARGO STRIKES BACK.
This is one of the best cold war flicks. It has all the traits THEM, BEGINNING OF THE END, IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA, and has all the warmth of TARANTULA, an THE GIANT BOHEMOTH. Misunderstood creatures from a past age whom are suddently unleashed on a present day world. the victom count is low but well placed. The last sceen comes right out of Norman Rockwell. this is the 50's lest we forget. what is nice about this film is that your told why every thing is happening. this is a very enjoyable title, this is one of my collection, and is top shelf. I think you will enjoy this as much as I do.

Killer Critters
You're not likely to be frightened by MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD, but as 1950s sci-fi/horror programmers go it is better than most. The story, which resembles everything from THEM! to THE THING to BLACK LAGOON, concerns prehistoric eggs that are irradiated by atomic blast and then released by earthquake into a saltwater sea by a military station--where several military men go missing as a result.

The cast, script, story, and monster are all okay but nothing special and never rise above the "B Movie" level, but the movie is an enjoyable way to spend a rainy evening. It's also mild enough for use as a "family night" film with older kids, and would be a good way to introduce them to the genre without giving them fits; younger kids, however, will either be bored or genuinely frightened, so you might want to prescreen it just in case.