X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray release of "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" presents a commendable 1080p transfer using the AVC codec, locked to Region A, and displayed in its original 1.85:1 widescreen format. For a film of its vintage and budget constraints, the level of detail and clarity is impressive. Skin textures exhibit discernible details, and Xavier’s transformative eyes are rendered with intricate veining and complexity. The detail presentation extends to clothing textures and set designs, though the latter does reveal the film's low-budget roots—a factor that, while noticeable, does not significantly detract from the overall experience. Exterior shooting locations, doubling as Nevada, showcase strong edges and solid definition. Softness is minimal despite the film's age and the choice of film stock.

Color fidelity aligns with the film’s era, offering solid but not overly bold primary hues, with no noticeable instances of color wash or bleed. Reds, such as those found in lab vials and location elements like red cars, are robust. Flesh tones appear paler, consistent with films from this period. The X-ray vision effects remain a standout, exuding vividness and intentional blurring that enhance the film's thematic elements. Brightness and contrast settings achieve reasonable black levels and shadow details, though the film’s shooting style limits dynamic range and frame depth. Whites remain clean even during high-contrast scenes.

Kino’s masterful handling ensures minimal visual distractions, with no significant compression artifacts, edge enhancement, or banding issues. The transfer maintains a consistent GPA with an average bitrate of 25.69 Mbps—an optimal choice for preserving the film's grain structure and giving it an authentic cinematic feel. Minor scratches and imperfections are present but fleeting and rarely disruptive. The choice of Pathé stock over industry-standard Kodak—a budgetary concession by director Roger Corman—does not seem to undermine the film’s visual quality in this carefully restored version. The colors offer a striking juxtaposition between naturalistic tones and the more intense hues associated with Dr. Xavier's altered vision, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The audio presentation for "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" on Blu-ray is encoded as a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track, maintaining its original mono source. The dialogue is consistently clear and well-integrated within the mix, ensuring that every line is audible without any danger of being missed. Lex Baxter’s imaginative and eerie score, a hallmark of classic Corman films, is prominently featured and layered effectively, although it is noted that some distortion occurs during the opening credits. This issue does not persist throughout the rest of the film, where the score achieves good fidelity.

Given the source's limitations, the dynamic range is rather narrow, and there is a noticeable deficiency in the low-end spectrum; thus, bass response is quite minimal. However, this does not render the track top-heavy or tinny; in fact, it remains perfectly serviceable throughout the film. The audio track has better than expected ambiance for a mono source, with subtle background elements like bubbling liquids in Xavier’s lab adding depth to the soundscape without any notable distortion or background noise.

Overall, while the mono track cannot escape its inherent limitations, the DTS-HD MA 2.0 encoding presents it in the best possible quality. The dialogue remains natural and clear, and despite its restricted dynamic range and bass, the track benefits from Baxter’s score, which sounds vibrant and appropriately atmospheric for this classic sci-fi thriller. With minimal effects but effective musical stingers, the audio presentation is robust enough for a reference-level playback without hiss, pops, or cracks.

The Blu-ray release of "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" features a comprehensive selection of extras that add substantial value to the package, enriching the core film with contextual and historical depth. Roger Corman's engaging commentary provides an entertaining yet occasionally inconsistent overview of the movie's inception and production. In contrast, film historian Tim Lucas offers a meticulously detailed, factual commentary replete with connections to broader cinema and thematic analysis. Joe Dante shares his insights in "Buried Alive!" highlighting the film’s enduring appeal and thematic richness. Additional noteworthy extras include a rare, excised prologue on human senses, illuminating Mick Garris' commentary on the original trailer, and the original theatrical trailer—remarkable for its retrospective marketing tidbit.

Extras included in this disc:

• Commentary by Roger Corman: Entertaining commentary from the director/producer.
• Commentary by Tim Lucas: Comprehensive, informative guide by a film historian.
• Buried Alive! Joe Dante on X: Joe Dante's thoughts on the film and its themes.
• Rare Prologue: A removed prologue discussing human senses.
• Trailers from Hell with Mick Garris: Commentary on the film's trailer by Mick Garris.
• Original Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for the film.

Roger Corman's "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" is a captivating tale of scientific hubris and the human quest for knowledge, brought to life by an excellent performance from Ray Milland as Dr. James Xavier. Fed up with his research being stifled by funding constraints, Xavier tests a vision-enhancing serum on himself, leading to spectacular yet tragic results. Corman's adept direction ensures the film transcends its low-budget origins, employing innovative techniques to depict Xavier’s progressively powerful and uncontrollable vision. Despite using primitive special effects by today's standards, these methods convey the surreal and unsettling experience of seeing beyond the ordinary spectrum of light.

The narrative follows a classic arc of overreaching ambition, with Xavier’s initial triumphs soon overshadowed by tragic consequences. His enhanced vision allows him to diagnose medical conditions with unprecedented accuracy, but also brings unforeseen emotional and existential turmoil. Compelled to flee after being ostracized by the medical community and reduced to performing as a mentalist in seedy carnivals, Xavier's journey is both riveting and deeply poignant. The supporting cast, including Diana Van der Vlis and Don Rickles, bolster the story with well-rounded performances that complement Milland’s portrayal of a man driven to madness by his own creation.

At its core, "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" is more than just a sci-fi thriller. The film delves into themes of sensory overload and the perils of transcending human limitations, resonating with modern concerns about technology and information excess. The script by Ray Russell and Robert Dillon brings additional depth, reflecting anxieties both timeless and contemporary. While gaps in scientific logic and occasional script shortcuts are evident, they do little to diminish an otherwise compelling narrative that still evokes a sense of wonder and caution about the boundaries of human knowledge.

"X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes," produced and directed by Roger Corman, is a quintessential early sixties horror film in the 'mad scientist' genre. The story follows Dr. James Xavier, portrayed by the talented Ray Milland, who becomes obsessed with expanding human vision into the electromagnetic spectrum. After funding for his research is cut, Xavier tests his theory on himself, gaining the ability to perceive through clothing, bodies, and buildings. However, this gift comes with severe drawbacks, as he is unable to turn off this enhanced vision, leading to his descent into madness. Milland's performance brings a poignant depth to Xavier's character, presenting a scientist blinded by his desire to do good and ultimately transformed into a tragic figure.

The film’s narrative draws remarkable parallels to later works such as David Cronenberg's "Scanners," where characters suffer from sensory overload. Here, too, Corman deftly explores the double-edged sword of excessive knowledge—a theme resonant since the tale of the Garden of Eden. The movie’s climax is unforgettable; deeply traumatizing as Xavier confronts the ultimate horror within creation and heeds a chilling Biblical command to pluck out his offending eyes. This dramatic conclusion has lingered in cultural memory, emphasizing the intense psychological impact of the film.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" is commendable. The visual presentation is clean and bright, though slightly marred by occasional damage and limited black levels. The mono sound is clear and devoid of any significant hiss. Supplementary materials are plentiful, with notable inclusions like a compelling Tim Lucas commentary that adds substantial value. Overall, this Blu-ray set is a robust package that caters adequately to both casual viewers and sci-fi enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" stands as one of Roger Corman's more sophisticated entries in the horror genre. With strong performances, especially by Ray Milland, and an enduringly relevant storyline about the perils of unchecked ambition, this film merits attention. Kino Lorber's Blu-ray edition enhances the viewing experience with quality presentation and engaging extras, making it a highly recommended acquisition.