The Strange World of Planet X

The Strange World of Planet X

Year: 1958

Runtime: 75 mins

Language: English

Director: Gilbert Gunn

HorrorScience FictionMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypseSci-fi horror creatures and aliensImaginative space odysseys and alien encounters

A man and an alien join forces to confront a hidden menace threatening the universe. Near a quiet English village, a scientific team experiments with magnetic fields whose intensifying effects appear linked to UFO sightings, a series of murders, a massive insect egg, and a mysterious visitor possessing extraordinary scientific knowledge.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Strange World of Planet X (1958)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Strange World of Planet X (1958). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

South of England, isolated laboratory near a small village

An isolated laboratory sits in the south of England near a small village. The facility conducts dangerous experiments with massive magnetic fields, demanding enormous power and specialized equipment. Its secrecy and remoteness amplify the tension as accidents and strange atmospheric effects ripple through the surrounding countryside.

🔬 Isolated laboratory 🏞️ Rural village ⚡ Magnetic field experiments

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:27

Main Characters – The Strange World of Planet X (1958)

Meet the key characters of The Strange World of Planet X (1958), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dr. Laird (Alec Mango)

A brilliant yet reckless physicist who pushes an experimental program with magnetic fields to the edge of safety. He seeks a breakthrough regardless of the mounting risks, and his obsession unsettles colleagues. His insistence on continuing the project foreshadows a breakdown that endangers everyone nearby.

🔬 Scientist ⚡ Ambitious 🧪 Reckless

Gil Graham (Forrest Tucker)

An American scientist assisting Dr. Laird, he brings practical insight and a collaborative spirit to the dangerous experiments. He helps monitor power demands and interpret results, while urging caution as anomalies emerge. His presence matters as the situation escalates beyond a laboratory affair.

🧭 Scientist 🌐 Pragmatic 🥽 Practical

Michele Dupont (Gaby André)

A resourceful American computer expert who helps to solve the power problem and interpret data. She is perceptive about the broader dangers, showing courage when threats arise. Her technical skill proves crucial in understanding the project’s risks.

💾 Computer expert 🧠 Intelligent 🛡️ Brave

Brigadier Cartwright (Wyndham Goldie)

A high-ranking military officer who oversees the investigation and responses to the project. He is disciplined, pragmatic, and quick to escalate security when the threat grows. He represents the government's resolve to control the situation.

🪖 Military 🧭 Pragmatic 🗒️ Bureaucratic

Jimmy Murray (Hugh Latimer)

A counter-espionage expert who suspects hidden dangers and suspicious motives around the project. He coordinates security measures and weighs the balance between espionage and scientific necessity. His skepticism helps ground the group as tensions rise.

🕵️ Spy 🧭 Skeptical 🧠 Analytical

Mr. Smith (Martin Benson)

An enigmatic visitor who reveals himself to be an alien emissary from a Planet X. He warns of orbital destabilization if the experiments continue and offers to help stop the danger. His presence blends mystery with crucial intervention at a pivotal moment.

👽 Alien 🧭 Mysterious 🧠 Knowledgeable

Gerard Wilson (Geoffrey Chater)

The Deputy Defence Minister pressing for the project to become a national priority. He uses governmental authority to mobilize resources and security, illustrating the intersection of science, politics, and risk. He remains cautious even as optimism about the project grows.

🏛️ Government 🧭 Cautious 🧠 Calculating

Insp. Burns (Richard Warner)

A seasoned inspector involved in the military's and government's response to the unfolding crisis. He analyzes evidence, coordinates tasks, and maintains order as the situation shifts from experimental risk to potential catastrophe. His role anchors the investigative angle of the story.

🔎 Inspector 🛡️ Investigator 🗣️ Official

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:27

Major Themes – The Strange World of Planet X (1958)

Explore the central themes of The Strange World of Planet X (1958), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔬 Dangerous Science

A physicist's thirst for breakthrough pushes the boundaries of safe experimentation. The plan relies on equipment and power beyond conventional design, inviting unforeseen consequences. The story shows how ambition and hubris can destabilize natural systems, drawing weather anomalies and even mutations into the landscape.

🛸 Alien Contact

An enigmatic alien emissary arrives to warn humanity about the risks. The alien's knowledge contrasts with human secrecy and mistrust, framing a tension between intervention and autonomy. The plot reveals Planet X's perspective on Earth's magnetosphere and the potential orbital destabilization.

🕵️‍♂️ Espionage

Military and security forces seize the project, deploying brigadiers, inspectors, and counter-espionage experts. Spying, suspicion, and bureaucratic momentum collide with scientific risk. The threat expands from espionage to cosmic phenomena, forcing cooperation between scientists and officials.

🕷️ Mutation & Nature

Cosmic radiation and magnetic disturbances drive mutations in local life, from homicidal brain damage to mutated insects and giant monsters. The natural world responds violently to human experiments, challenging control. The brink of apocalypse becomes personal as the mutated creatures threaten the village.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:27

Unlock the Full Story of The Strange World of Planet X

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The Strange World of Planet X Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Strange World of Planet X, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Strange World of Planet X Summary

The Strange World of Planet X Timeline

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The Strange World of Planet X Timeline

More About The Strange World of Planet X

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