Predating the more famous Godzilla by a year and being a major
influence on that movie, The Beast from
20,000 Fathoms is a 1953 creature feature that is home to a series of
firsts. It was the first movie in history to feature a monster awakened by a
nuclear blast and also contains Ray Harryhausen’s first solo special effects
work. It spawned a plethora of imitations and ushered the dawn of a golden age
for monster movies.
The plot sets a pattern which
will sound familiar to anyone who’s seen a creature feature before. Deep inside
the Arctic Circle, a team of scientists and
military personnel are carrying out a nuclear test. While out collecting
samples soon after, physicist Thomas Nesbitt (Paul Christian) is shocked to eye
a giant beast, lurking in the icy gloom. Back in New York
City no one believes the young scientist but when strange tales
come down the Atlantic seaboard towards Gotham,
others begin to treat Nesbitt’s claims seriously. Unfortunately they’re too
late and the beast makes devastating landfall in the city itself.
