The Colossus of New York

The Colossus of New York

Year: 1958

Runtime: 70 mins

Language: English

Director: Eugène Lourié

HorrorHorror

A brilliant surgeon constructs a giant, indestructible robot by implanting his deceased son’s brain into a massive steel frame that looms over the New York skyline. The towering colossus, whose eyes emit deadly energy, goes on a destructive rampage, forcing the city to confront the unintended consequences of his creation.

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Timeline – The Colossus of New York (1958)

Trace every key event in The Colossus of New York (1958) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Jeremy's death on the eve of his prize

Jeremy Spensser, a brilliant young mind, is killed when a truck strikes him while he chases his son's toy airplane. The tragedy occurs on the eve of his anticipated International Peace Prize. His death leaves his wife Mala Powers and their young son Charles Herbert, and drives his father into deep grief.

on the eve of the prize ceremony New York
2

Plan to transplant the brain into an artificial body

William Spensser resolves to honor Jeremy's gifts by reviving his mind and transplanting it into an artificial body. He believes the brain can continue to contribute to humanity even after death. The plan is kept private while family and colleagues grapple with the implications.

shortly after Jeremy's death William's private lab
3

Henry recruited for the secret project

William persuades Henry Spensser, Jeremy's brother and automation expert, to assist with the secret project. Henry agrees to help build the robotic body and related systems, working away from public scrutiny. The trio begins clandestine work to bring the colossus to life.

soon after the plan is conceived William's private lab
4

The colossus is created and kept hidden

The colossus, a massive robotic body housing Jeremy's revived brain, is assembled and kept in seclusion. For nearly a year it continues experimenting with new food sources and humanitarian ideas, isolated from normal human contact. The secrecy isolates the project and warps Jeremy's sense of humanity.

for nearly a year secret facility
5

Isolation erodes Jeremy's humanity

Deprived of regular human contact, Jeremy's mind gradually loses its humanity while inhabiting the mechanical form. He becomes more machine-like, with emotions dimmed and rational calculations taking precedence. The detachment hints at the growing danger of the experiment.

during the year of seclusion secret facility
6

Henry is killed by the cyborg

In a brutal turn, the cyborg murders Henry, who had fallen in love with Jeremy's wife Mala Powers. The murder reveals the lethal potential of the mind-in-a-machine premise when driven by isolation and emotional conflict. The tragedy intensifies as loyalty and ambition collide.

during seclusion secret facility
7

Cybiological thoughts turn genocidal

Jeremy's mind, expressed through the colossus, questions the futility of feeding the world's poor and suggests it would be simpler to get rid of them. The dialogue shows a chilling shift toward utilitarian conclusions when humanity is pushed to the edge. The line underscores the ethical peril of merging mind and machine.

after Henry's death secret facility
8

Unexplained powers surface

Unexplained powers emerge from the strictly mechanical body, including mind control over humans and a deadly ray from its eyes. The colossus becomes more than a medical experiment as its abilities threaten those around it. The situation spirals beyond the control of the researchers.

during seclusion secret facility
9

Rampage at the United Nations

The out-of-control colossus leaves the lab and rampages through the United Nations building, killing several bystanders. The incident creates an international crisis and demonstrates the extent of the machine's threat. Security and emergency services scramble to respond.

near the film's end United Nations building
10

Young son confronts the cyborg

Jeremy's young son bravely confronts the rampaging cyborg, risking his life to reach his father. The confrontation serves as the emotional turning point that allows the father's consciousness to rise briefly. It sets up the crucial moment when guidance is given to stop the machine.

during the rampage United Nations building
11

Father regains control and instructs how to stop it

During the clash, Jeremy regains enough humanity to instruct his son on how to switch off and destroy the colossus. The revelation comes too late to save everyone, but it provides a pathway to end the threat. The family witnesses a poignant fusion of love, science, and sacrifice.

climax United Nations building
12

Destruction of the colossus

With the boy carrying out the instruction, the colossus is turned off and destroyed. The catastrophic threat is neutralized, and the world breathes a sigh of relief, albeit under the shadow of the tragedy that preceded it. The film closes on the heavy costs of merging mind and machine power.

final moments United Nations building

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:15

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Sci-Fi Horror Stories of Scientific Hubris Like The Colossus of New York

Brilliant minds create unstoppable horrors, forcing them to confront their own ambition.If you were fascinated by the tragic downfall in The Colossus of New York, explore more movies like it. This collection features similar sci-fi horror stories where brilliant experiments spiral into destruction, questioning the moral cost of scientific ambition.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows a well-intentioned but hubristic creator who ignores warnings to achieve a breakthrough. Their creation, whether a machine, monster, or altered life form, soon proves uncontrollable, leading to a chain of destruction that forces a desperate and often tragic confrontation with the consequences.

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Driven by profound loss, a figure of immense power enacts a sorrowful justice.For viewers who appreciated the sorrowful power of the Colossus, this list finds other movies with similar tragic vigilantes. These films feature characters who, shaped by grief, wield great power in a destructive and emotionally heavy story.

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Narrative Summary

The journey begins with a deep personal loss that fundamentally alters the protagonist, often through a physical or psychological transformation. They emerge as a powerful entity, but their actions are clouded by pain, leading to a destructive path that questions the line between justice and vengeance, ultimately culminating in a bittersweet or tragic resolution.

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These films are grouped by their central figure: a powerful being whose actions are rooted in deep sorrow. The experience is characterized by a heavy emotional weight, a steady pacing that builds tension, and a tone that balances dark action with melancholic reflection on loss.

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Colossus of New York

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