The budget for "Giant From the Unknown" was $54,000--a minuscule sum even by the standards of 1958. You'd assume that this is like an Ed Wood film, as his budgets often were quite similar. However, I was surprised--it was better than $54,000 would suggest...though I am not trying to say it was a particularly good film either!
The film is set in a California mountain town where there are some killings--and the sheriff is a complete moron. He constantly blames an amateur archaeologist for the killings even though there is no evidence. Later, when the archaeologist realizes what might be happening, the dumb sheriff arrests HIM. Amazingly, it turns out the killer is a crazy Spanish explorer who SHOULD have died 500 years ago! While the idea of a bolt of lightning reviving this homicidal maniac is dumb (yes it IS!), the entire thing was handled about as well as you can with such an outlandish plot--though it's hilarious how some of the extras just walk out so the giant can kill them near the end! It's not good--but it could have been. a lot worse! Worth seeing if your standards are pretty low...otherwise you can certainly do better.
NOTE: at the end, the giant falls through a fence to his death--smashing the fence in the process. However, look at the fence immediately after--it's still all in one piece and isn't broken!
By the way, the evil giant was played by Buddy Baer. He was a famous pro boxer and brother of Max Baer (the heavyweight boxing champ) and uncle of Max Baer Jr. (who gained fame playing Jethro on "The Beverly Hillbillies"). Just thought you'd like to know.
The film is set in a California mountain town where there are some killings--and the sheriff is a complete moron. He constantly blames an amateur archaeologist for the killings even though there is no evidence. Later, when the archaeologist realizes what might be happening, the dumb sheriff arrests HIM. Amazingly, it turns out the killer is a crazy Spanish explorer who SHOULD have died 500 years ago! While the idea of a bolt of lightning reviving this homicidal maniac is dumb (yes it IS!), the entire thing was handled about as well as you can with such an outlandish plot--though it's hilarious how some of the extras just walk out so the giant can kill them near the end! It's not good--but it could have been. a lot worse! Worth seeing if your standards are pretty low...otherwise you can certainly do better.
NOTE: at the end, the giant falls through a fence to his death--smashing the fence in the process. However, look at the fence immediately after--it's still all in one piece and isn't broken!
By the way, the evil giant was played by Buddy Baer. He was a famous pro boxer and brother of Max Baer (the heavyweight boxing champ) and uncle of Max Baer Jr. (who gained fame playing Jethro on "The Beverly Hillbillies"). Just thought you'd like to know.