X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes (1963) produced and directed by Roger Corman
Ray Milland stars as James Xavier, a medical doctor and researcher who wants to expand human vision beyond the visible spectrum. Visible light is only a tenth of the light available, he claims. Increasing vision would increase understanding and capabilities. He's experimented on animals using eyedrops and is ready to move to human trials. The company funding the research is concerned about his lack of reports for several months and has sent Diana (Diana van der Vlis), herself a doctor, to find out what is going on. She's concerned about the lack of other trials. Xavier's medical friend Dr. Grant (Harold J. Stone) is okay with human trials but wants to experiment on someone less valuable than Xavier. Xavier scoffs at the possibility of a student or an inmate giving good feedback on how the eye drops effect vision and overall well being. He tries the drops on himself. The initial effects are successful, feeding his ego a little bit and leading him to make mistakes that put him on the run. With all his speechifying about his increased abilities, can he become a greater, if not a better, person?
The film works through various possibilities and interpretations of Xavier's condition. It never quite settles on which way the viewer should think of him, as crazy or a hero. Milland gets a lot of sympathy for his character as he struggles with the situation. Since it's a product of the 1960s American cinema, there is a groovy party scene where Xavier can't see clothes on anyone, though viewers see no explicit nudity (it's not 1980s American horror cinema). The scene is more fan service than plot or character development. The larger story plays out like an extended Twilight Zone episode, though not as sharp as Rod Serling's master work. The plot is haphazard and the ending is an abrupt shock more than a satisfying conclusion. Still, the show has a lot of interesting ideas packed into it.
Mildly recommended.
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