Cast
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Glenn Langan
as Lt. Col. Glenn Manning
Cathy Downs
as Carol Forrest
William Hudson
as Dr. Paul Linstrom
Larry Thor
as Maj. Eric Coulter, MD
James Seay
as Col. Hallock
Russ Bender
as Richard Kingman
Hank Patterson
as Henry
Frank Jenks
as Truck Driver
Jimmy Cross
as Sergeant at Reception Desk
June Jocelyn
as Nurse Wilson
Stanley Lachman
as Lt. Cline
Harry Raybould
as MP at Main Gate
Jean Moorhead
as Woman in Bathtub
Scott Peters
as Sgt. Lee Carter
Myron Cook
as Capt. Thomas
Crew
Director
- Bert I. Gordon
Writer
- George Worthing Yates
Producer
- Bert I. Gordon
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, The Amazing Colossal Man explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Bert I. Gordon brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1957, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Amazing Colossal Man took approximately 8 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 80 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 136 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 9 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1957, when this film was released:
- Television was becoming a dominant form of home entertainment.
- The civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the United States.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Amazing Colossal Man shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Run Lola Run, which focuses more on action than character development, The Amazing Colossal Man subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Live Free or Die Hard and Die Hard 2 explore similar territory, The Amazing Colossal Man stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 25, 1957
- Runtime: 1h 20m
