La meteora infernale

In many ways, this movie follows the classic pattern of so many sci-fi features from the 1950s -- a small, isolated desert town finds itself threatened by a strange series of occurences which seem to defy logical explanation. However, the threat here is not the usual giant insect or alien invader but rather a meteorite which has splintered into a number of small, shiny black rocks. What happens with these rocks is "absorbing" but audiences then (and now) seemed to want villains with emotions and personalities. Rocks with curious properties, (or inanimate machines such as in "Kronos"), don't provide the necessary thrill. Calling this movie "The Monoliths" would have been more apt since it can't deliver the shocks you'd expect from a movie with "Monsters" in the title. Besides, while the town of San Angelo is threatened, the movie never really convinces you that the world itself is also in danger.

Still, this is a brisk and efficient piece of entertainment that has been put together with a degree of care which belies its modest budget.

The story on which "Monolith" is based was co-written by Jack Arnold who also directed its lead actor, Grant Williams, in that sci-fi classic, "The Incredible Shrinking Man."

A meteorite crashes into the desert, fragments of which absorb silica when wet, attaining colossal proportions before crashing down on whatever lies in their 'downhill' path. I'm no geologist but I suspect that the petrology underpinning the plot is a bit sketchy, but nevertheless, the film is an original, well-made (for the budget) 'nature-run-wild' adventure. The 'monsters' are unique in that they are simply a natural phenomenon, and refreshingly, are played that way (there is none of the anthropomorphising the undercut the similar premise in "The Magnetic Monster" (1953)). The desert locale (typical of a Jack Arnold story) is well used, and the script and acting are fine (for the genre), although most of the 'comic relief' falls a bit flat (an exception being the scene with the weather forecaster, which is amusing). The special effects and miniature work is quite good as the towering crystals fall on the buildings and even the bargain-basement 'chemistry' scenes are reasonably effective. The sub-plot about people getting turned to stone is a bit far-fetched (even within context) but provides an opportunity to see a vintage 'iron-lung' at work. Definitely one of the better science-fiction 'B' movies to come out of the 1950's, and perhaps the most imaginative.

Ok you Sci-Fi B Movie Fans! This is an "A" of the "B" movies! It has it all..dialogue with "talk-over" at times that reminds me of "The Thing" and the interplay between characters is terrific. The special effects for this movie are very good, considering the time frame...the plot pretty good, and the actors fair as well.

The Plot is pretty typical of the Sci-Fi Movies of the time..there is a town in the middle of the desert, a child who ends up traumatized by her first encounter with the "entity". The female lead is a fairly independent woman on her own making her living as a teacher..the male lead is a geologist who is in love with the teacher...and they find themselves instant "guardians" of the girl after losing her parents. Then, it's the race to find a way to beat the monoliths before it destroys their town. The only thing missing from this one is the usual Nuclear Radiation theory that was so prevalent in the Sci-Fi movies of this time. It's just a plain old fashioned meteorite that causes the trouble in this one!

Enjoy this great Sci-Fi "B" movie....!!

The first time I saw the Monolith Monsters was when I was a kid. It was great. A meteorite hits the earth and this kind of rock aliens when exposed to water begin to grow enormously. The grow so tall, fall over and then break apart reproducing and growing. A very good idea with decent special effects for the 1950's. It seemed like I saw this twice a year as a kid on Sir Graves Ghastley. The storyline and movie still stand up today. It's worth watching and even renting. The story, acting and effects are very entertaining and worthwhile. You won't be disappointed

I always try to catch this movie when I can. When you run out of lizards and spiders and ants and octopus tentacles, is there another horror that you can unleash on the world. Yes, it's black rock crystals from outer space. At least I think they are black since the movie is in black and white. They grow fast, rise to an enormous height, and then fall over, crushing everything in their path. This sounds so stupid, yet the movie isn't all that bad. There is the obligatory scientist, the police officer, the young woman, and the small town in the path. What can they do? Can they outwit these rocks? As is usually the case, there is something that these things are vulnerable to. Now, can we deliver the goods and stop them. I have so much affection for these B science fiction movies that I just can't help myself. One thing about this one is that it has never been copied. Maybe it's time for Peter Jackson to do the new Monolith Monsters.