The real draw here is the stop-motion octopus by Ray Harryhausen.
In this simplistic atomic-age monster thriller, a giant octopus rises from the depths of the Pacific Ocean and attacks San Francisco. But not before it sinks a fishing boat and tangles with a nuclear-powered submarine. Since that isn’t enough to fill out an hour and 20 minute run time, a love triangle is forced into the movie with little regard to how well it works. And, to no one’s surprise, it doesn’t.
The commander of the nuclear submarine, Pete Matthews (Kenneth Tobey, The Vampire,) immediately takes a liking to marine biologist Lesley Joyce (Faith Domergue, When Worlds Collide.) Professor Joyce is somewhat attached to fellow Professor John Carter (Donald Curtis, Earth vs. The Flying Saucers.) At least, professionally. Cmdr. Matthews goes “full steam ahead” and muscles his way into Professor Joyce’s life. No matter her protestations that she doesn’t like having her mind made up for her.
Regardless of how proto-feminist Professor Joyce claims to be, this script was written in 1955. As a result, she still screams at the sight of the monster she’s been assigned to study and clings to Cmdr. Matthews in fright. Later, when Matthews springs to action to save someone, he pries her off and literally hands her to another man.
Admittedly, no one will be seeking out It Came from Beneath the Sea for the romance. The real draw here is the stop-motion octopus by Ray Harryhausen. Unfortunately, the octopus — or rather hexapus, since two of its tentacles were eliminated due to budget constraints — only appears in a handful of scenes. Still, when the beast is visible, the animation and compositing are top-notch for their time. The sequences showing the monster’s tentacles lunging down the city streets are exceptional even by today’s standards.
Also working against the movie is the fact that the plot is a virtual carbon copy of The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, which itself spawned Godzilla. What sets it apart are the effects and the creativity of the animated octopus. Sadly, the majority of the film concerns itself with Cmdr. Matthews and Professor Joyce’s uncomfortable relationship and sinks as a result.
For fans of Ray Harryhausen, this is an unmissable treat. For anyone looking for thrills and chills, you’ll be bored to tears.
2.0 out of 5.0 stars
