Der Mann mit den Röntgenaugen (1963)

Der Mann mit den Röntgenaugen: Directed by Roger Corman. With Ray Milland, Diana Van der Vlis, Harold J. Stone, John Hoyt. A doctor uses special eye drops to give himself x-ray vision, but the new power has disastrous consequences.

“Roger Corman is often passed over as merely a B-movie director, but films like this one really show his brilliance. The Man with X-Ray Eyes is chilling, ingenious and highly original; and this becomes even more impressive when you consider that the film was shot on a shoestring budget of just $300,000. Because of this, Corman doesnu0026#39;t go overboard with the special effects, and as such; the film concentrates on the implications of the lead characteru0026#39;s predicament. This actually helps the film, as the idea behind what is happening is far more chilling than how it has actually happened. The plot follows a doctor doing research into the eye. After discovering a new drug that can give its taker X-ray vision, he decides to test it on himself due to lack of funds. Before long, he finds that he is able to see through peopleu0026#39;s clothes (surely a useful ability), as well as walls and other surfaces. However, this new capability soon takes its toll on the good doctor, as he loses the ability to shut out the light, and after a tragic event; he has to find a new way to make a living.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eRay Milland, who worked with Corman previously on the Poe adaptation u0026#39;Premature Burialu0026#39;, takes the lead and gives a great portrayal of the doctor at the centre of the story. Milland is great at portraying a strain on a character, and that ability is put to best use in this film. The story is frightening because, as is said at one moment in the film, we only get one pair of eyes and therefore that pair is precious. The idea of not being able to cut out the light is frightening also, as while many people would see X-ray vision as an asset, this film does well in disputing that. The way that Corman portrays the u0026#39;X-ray visionu0026#39; makes best use of the budget available and actually works rather well, as we get treated to seeing the world through the eyes of the lead character. The way that the story pans out isnu0026#39;t particularly original, but it works in that itu0026#39;s believable and provides a good backdrop for the major focus of the film. Overall, The Man with X-Ray Vision is proof that a film can work in spite of a limited budget, and while Corman may not be the best director of all time; he certainly knows how to make B-movies!”