Good concept, poorly executed.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

'X: The Man with the X-ray Eyes' - one can expect everything from a movie with such title, a superhero tale, a man turned some vicious monsters, an alien visiting earth etc. Especially when the film is directed by no other than Roger Corman. But no, this is not another cheesy exploitation flick. 'X' is much more visceral and lurid, sometimes even disturbing science-fiction horror than usual Corman's productions.Ray Milland gives powerful and balanced performance as Dr. James Xavier, a scientist obsessed near insanity for developing eye drops that can give X-ray vision. When he finally decides to try the new invention on himself, soon things start to get awry. Luckilly the film doesn't turn into mad scientist grounds, but stays till the end as a story of a man who does it for good, not for self beneficial purposes. 'X' manages to stay true to its serious tone established in first quarter of the film. Not cheese, but chills. Visual effects are quite effective even by today's standard and nice touch was to see things (and people) through Xavier's eyes. All this is fantastically tied together with powerful finale where Xavier gives speech before pastor about seeing things at the edges of the universe.First-rate Corman production and deservedly fortified its place in cult classics arena.

Considering the pile of garbage Roger Corman produced and directed (and I include his Poe adaptations in that pile), this film is something of a miracle. It demonstrates that good films sometimes result more-or-less automatically from good scripts. The Dillon/Russell script is solid, with believable motivation and characterization, and not too many scientific errors.Ray Milland's restrained performance shows just what a good actor he was. It would have been easy to have a character who's going mad because he sees the universe differently from everyone else chewing the scenery. Instead, Xavier increasingly draws inward, until the very end.As to the missing "intended" ending in which Xavier tears out his eyes and proclaims "I can still see!", I'm inclined to believe it was shot. The script anticipates it, when Xavier remarks early on that the eyes connect directly to the brain.If there's any real failing, it's not showing what Xavier sees "at the center of the universe". An //intelligent// remake, with modern effects, might not be a bad idea.

A doctor (Ray Milland) uses special eye drops to give himself x-ray vision, but the new power has disastrous consequences.This is a film with a great pedigree. Academy Award winner Ray Milland, directed by the legendary Roger Corman, filmed by the amazing Floyd Crosby (who did Corman's Poe films), and written by Ray Russell ("Mr. Sardonicus", "Zotz!" and "Premature Burial"). Throw in some great supporting actors -- Dick Miller and Don Rickles -- and this is sure to please.The concept is pretty good, and pulled off remarkably well. Maybe some people today think it looks dated, but I would disagree. Everything about this production was top-notch and among Corman's finest work (far better than duds like "Gas!" and second only to the Poe cycle).Composer Les Baxter's music was very subtle here, but in a good way. The story is very compelling and does not really require the music to do much more than fill the silence. At one part, at a cocktail party, the music shifts to Baxter's style of jazz and everyone dances "beach party style". The music is far more appropriate here than in "Panic at Year Zero".This is definitely one of those must-see horror classics I should have seen years ago.

Simply put this is merely a B movie that reworks the FRANKENSTEIN story of a doctor pushing forward the boundaries of science in order to improve the lot of mankind and finding himself becoming destroyed by it . Directed by Roger Corman on a budget of five dollars and starring Ray Milland who after winning an Oscar for THE LONG WEEKEND disappeared amongst an avalanche of totally B forgettable movies the omens for this film aren't good yet 50 years after it was released remains a fondly remembered cult film and something of a mini-masterpiece What the film is very good at is examining the very misanthropic nature of humanity . People are greedy for power and money and let it not be forget as a species we're also very greedy in the search of knowledge . Milland plays Dr James Xavier who tries a new serum on himself that expands the light spectrum available to the human eye . This leads to obsession and an inciting incident where someone is killed and Xavier becomes a fugitive Milland gives a good performance as Xavier who tries to retain his humanity and uses his power for good but finds himself continually exploited by the people around him , most especially by the sleazy Crane played superbly by Don Rickles who has a plan to get rich quick . It's interesting to note that Xavier draws attention to himself at the Casino by telling his fellow gamblers not to draw another card because they'll lose their money so his concern about human beings , even at a base level remains intact . Some people have complained that Dr Diana Fairfax is somewhat underwritten but surely her character exists to show that not everyone is concerned by money or power and she genuinely does care for Xavier ? Ray Dillon and Ray Russell's screenplay is rather episodic as the protagonist moves from one situation to another but this is to show a rather gloomy view of the human condition and the subtext is very well developed . Corman isn't too concerned about special effects and the rather bizarre point of view of Xavier as he sees a world of skeletons and other half completed images works very well despite - or because of - the lack of budget . It also contains a very haunting and ethereal score all of which adds up to a very memorable and enjoyable B movie thriller