Project X

Following a couple of lame genre spoofs starring Sid Caesar, producer/director William Castle had hoped to return to his previous successful formula – albeit via a more sober approach – with the screen adaptation of Ira Levin's classic diabolical chiller ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968); however, the powers-that-be at Paramount only allowed him to produce, while placing acclaimed Polish auteur Roman Polanski – in what would prove his U.S. debut – at the helm. The resulting film was a veritable milestone of the genre – but, in compensation, Castle was given the movie under review to direct…after which, as it turned out, he lay down his boots in this capacity for six years running! Incidentally, 1968 also marked a great year for Science-Fiction cinema, under which banner – the former Horror master's first and last – PROJECT X falls, since it saw the release of both 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and PLANET OF THE APES which, needless to say, overshadowed Castle's effort…even if, for what it is worth, along with his subsequent bizarre venture SHANKS (1974), the director's last two pictures emerged as definitely his most original (thus interesting and considerable)!

Anyway, to be sure, the movie is a futuristic tale with ideas far above its' maker's usual station (only THE TINGLER {1959}'s analysis of Fear and HOMICIDAL {1961}'s probing into personality disorder, both dealt within the context of a shocker, had previously attempted anything of substance); indeed, here we have a secret agent struck by amnesia while in possession of the enemy's plan for world domination! While this can be seen on the one hand as the director's take on the current craze for James Bond imitations (thus resembling FANTASTIC VOYAGE {1966} in its mix of sci-fi and espionage), the plot also involves an elaborate scheme to induce a fictional, past and crime-oriented existence into the leading man's psyche in the hope that his subsequent paranoid feeling can unleash – via holograms depicting his unconscious state – the vital information needed to thwart the Orient's nefarious designs on the Western world! In this respect, it anticipates the likes of the two TOTAL RECALL (1990 and 2012) movies and THE TRUMAN SHOW (1998)…while also keeping in mind that the WWII thriller 36 HOURS (1964) had already used a similar ruse!

The film, then, is decidedly fascinating and relatively satisfying in the long run; that said, some elements – owing perhaps to its B-movie origins – do not work. For starters, Christopher George (who had been so striking as John Wayne's black-clad nemesis in Howard Hawks' EL DORADO {1967}) never really gains our sympathy as the perplexed hero (indeed, genial scientist Henry Jones emerges as the true protagonist)! Since the two narrative strands – real (that is, 22nd century) and fabricated (contemporary) – move in fits and starts, one has to constantly tweak his mind-set to the characters' within each particular setting; besides, their own adjustment to the 1960s lifestyle is too smooth despite professing obliviousness to what passed for the norm in that by-gone era – while the would-be technological advancement produces predictably streamlined sets (albeit featuring now-hilariously gargantuan computer systems imparting inevitably archaic feedback) and goofy costumes (notably transparent helmets for the men at the military base and skimpy outfits for the female factory-workers)!

An intriguing yet potentially exasperating notion was the use of solarization, aided by a bit of Hanna-Barbera animation for good measure (a' la FORBIDDEN PLANET {1956}), for the recreated images pertaining to the 'lost' mission – which also see Keye Luke as the 'yellow' mastermind and Monte Markham as a defector (eventually violently dispatched by George's telepathic skill much like the same year's THE POWER!). By the way, I had first acquired this via a washed-out VHS rip but, realizing it had been jointly released on DVD and BluRay by Olive Films, I managed to acquire a copy of this handsome-looking edition in time for my ongoing centenary tribute to Castle!

Greetings And Salutations, and welcome to my review of Project X; here's the breakdown of my ratings:

Story: 1.75 Direction: 1.50 Pace: 1.50 Acting: 1.25 Enjoyment: 1.25

TOTAL: 7.25 out of 10.00

Project X surprised me by being a solid espionage thriller and whodunnit set in the future. The bad news is we humans never find a way to "just get along".

In 2118 the world leaders are still at one another's throats, and the threat of violence is high. Special Agent Hagen Arnold has been dispatched to the East to uncover the latest threat to the West. Regrettably, on his return, he is injured in an aircraft accident and is placed in cryogenic sleep by his superiors. His last hurried message implored that "within fourteen days the West would be destroyed". The scientists running the cryo-centre, by necessity and under the order of the intelligence service, inject all frozen agents with a serum that eradicates the patient's memories. But now, it's imperative to retrieve Arnold's recollections to save the West. Enter Project X. A multisystem to rebuild the patient's matrix and force their minds to remember. It's this method that adds potency to the narrative. The writers don't just have the guy hooked up to a computer that can read his brain waves. No. To retrieve the memories, they create an alternate persona (matrix): this has to be something personal to the patient. In this case, it's a crime that happened in the 1960s. An era that Arnold had been obsessed with and was studying. For the experiment to work, everything has to be genuine to the period. Using this complex procedure allows for more interest and suspense. It's a clever idea, and I loved it - so much so I may have to look for the Leslie P Davis novels. One of the best things in the story is the characters. Though they are slightly stereotyped, they work brilliantly to drive the story forward. I particularly enjoyed the twist in the reveal.

Project X is your typically filmed sci-fi flick. It's colourful and bright, and, as such, it was a pleasure to watch. The one thing that raised a smile to my lips was the elevator doors. Yeah, I know that sounds strange; but I love Star Trek The Original Series, and these doors P-Swoosh open with exactly the same sound - so that was a happy Sunday Afternoon bonus. William Castle isn't too bad a director, but this picture has the feel of a Sci-Fi series. While I enjoyed the unfolding story, I couldn't help but remember The Time Tunnel, Lost In Space, Land Of The Giants, and the like. And the segments set in the fake 1960s had the atmosphere of The Fugitive. All of these are great TV shows, and it was a delight to have those reminiscences - they added a nostalgic atmosphere to the movie. Another bonus was the animated and camera effects used to demonstrate the recalled memories. When I saw that Hanna Barbera was employed to complete some segments, I wondered if The Hair Bear Bunch or Scooby Doo would make a cameo appearance. Luckily they don't, but the artists are used to render some of the memories. And these effects work well to add a strange futuristic look to the memory screen, which has a naturalistic though artistic impression when idol.

The cast is composed of familiar television and movie actors. Though none were massive stars, they were all popular, and you should recognise many. As with the aforementioned TV Shows, the cast works splendidly together, and none tries to outshine any of the others. Because most of them have to portray a couple of characters, themselves in the present, and the factual individuals of the 1960s it allows them to spread their acting wings a little more, making the film more enthralling and enjoyable.

If you are looking for a movie to pass an afternoon, you could do worse than Project X. If you're like me and remember and enjoyed the TV Shows I mentioned, then you'll relish this Sci-Fi Spy flick, as I did - and may do again.

Now, while the scientists concoct an antidote, come on over and check out my The Final Frontier list to see where I ranked Project X.

Take Care & Stay Well.

MASTERFUL performances from Christopher George (as always) and newcomer Greta Baldwin make this William Castle Sci-fi adventure truly exciting, innovative, classic space adventure with a deep message and meaning. Monte Markham adds another polished performance to his long list of superb acting film and TV credits. The film is way ahead of its time 1968 and deserved Oscar recognition. A truly well made, beautifully acted gem. Christopher George one of the greatest 60s/70s tough action leading men gives another epic, dedicated performance that put to shame other so called major stars. To correct some imbecile comments it is the presence and acting ability of stars like Christopher George, Audie Murphy and similar leading action men that make a film watchable and memorable.

I taped this film off of a cable TV broadcast, apparently a rare occurrence. The film doesn't seem to get any air time at all, and as far as I know it is not available commercially on VHS or DVD. As much as one would want to corroborate other people's opinions of less-well-known films, I cannot recommend William Castle's "Project X". I found the film wildly over-plotted and very much derivative of other, better films. Where it tries to present something different, I found it just confused. The acting is at its best moments routine, and occasionally goes way over the top. The special effects do not impress; the film eventually resorts to using animation and not very stylish animation at that. But give a gander to the cast and you'll see why. William Castle is most widely known as a showman and promoter. There isn't anything here like that, so the film has to stand on its own. It can't.

Project X (1968) was a mystery & a science fiction film. The premise is that in the year 2118, the world is very overcrowded and there are two main powers, the Oriental East, and the occidental West. A mysterious message from the main character says that the East is going to destroy the West in 14 days but then he loses his memory due to an anti-torture drug he has taken. The race is on using mind reading technology to try and find out what is going on, but someone is really working for the other side? Who to believe? What is the threat? The movie correctly predicts that genetic manipulation would soon be a real possibility. The ability to read minds with machinery, and the need to go thru an elaborate deception is explained in some detail, they do a good job setting it up, but it complex and hard to follow in one viewing. Henry Jones as the head scientist lends some believability to the situation, making keen observations, but whose side is he on? Greta Baldwin is a very friendly young woman from 2118 that makes me think that there is hope for the future if there are a lot of women like her then. Christopher George as our amnesic hero does a good job portraying a good man thrust into an immoral situation. All in all it was a better than average Sci Fi movie for it's day, with many thought provoking ideas embedded in it. Incidentally I know how this movie can be seen in 1999.