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Glenn Langan, Cathy Downs, William Hudson, James Seay, Larry Thor ... see more see more... , Russ Bender , Lyn Osborn , Diana Darrin , William Hughes , Jack Kosslyn , Jean Moorhead , Jimmy Cross , Hank Patterson , Frank Jenks , Scott Peters , Myron Cook , Michael Harris , Dick Nelson , Edmund Cobb , Paul Hahn , June Jocelyn , Jim Backus , Whit Bissell , Joan Blondell , Yvonne Craig , Melvyn Douglas , Preston S. Foster , James Griffith , Jesse Pearson , Andrew Prine , Chuck Roberson , Diane Robin , Jon Mikl Thor , Bill Troy , Alan Hale Jr. , Frank Mitchell , Michael Pate , Jane Jenkins

While overseeing the atomic tests in the Nevada desert, Army colonel Glenn Manning (Glenn Langan) is exposed to extensive amounts of radiation. As a result, Manning grows, and grows, and grows, at the... read more read more... rate of ten feet per day. This sudden height gain adversely affects the poor man's mind, and soon he's as mad as a hatter. Looking for all the world like Mr. Clean in a diaper, the Colossal Man goes on a murderous rampage, laying waste to numerous landmarks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

32% liked it

494 ratings

Critics

38% liked it

8 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 19 min.

Directed by: Bert I. Gordon

Release Date: January 1, 1957

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DVD Release Date: January 6, 1993

Stats: 43 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (43)

  • threefolddado
    July 23, 2008
    threefolddado
    Not so amazing.
  • manishboy
    April 29, 2009
    manishboy
    Beauty and the beast from an 'atomic age' perspective. Excellent 'James Dean' style performance from Glenn Langan.
  • bobgray2000
    June 19, 2007
    bobgray2000
    HE JUST KEEPS GETTING BIGGER!!!

    What is it about the Amazing Colossal Man that I find so amazingly fascinating? Is it the extent of his size? His tale of woe and tragedy? Or maybe just the fact that he keeps getting bigger?

    I personally think that the "Colossal Man" is a... read moren interesting and unique speciman in the world of size-changing movies. Mr. Bert I. has somehow managed to weave together an interesting tragedy that goes slightly above the extent of his B-Grade abilities. However, this tragedy part of the tale is one that's usually scorned by cotemporary audiences primarily because of its politically incorrect subject matter...ie...people are just not interested.

    Of course, lots of people ignore this movie, yet pour forth praise for "Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman." Why? Primarily because 50 Foot Woman has a feminist subtext that resonates with a comtemporary audience. Also because there are a lot of men with odd sexual fetishes...and...well...I'll leave that matter be.

    Unlike "50 Foot Woman," "Colossal Man" is not about the empowerment of an individual as much as it is about the degradation of one. Here's Glen Manning in the prime of his life--successful, handsome. But then THIS occurs and he's actively removed from society. The fear of losing control, of changing so drastically without any preparation...that's a fear that strikes the heart of all human beings. Especially in men, there's this bestial, domineering violent side that they try to contain at all costs. Once that's unleashed...BOOM! You become a uncaged, blind beast! Domestic abuse is always a hot topic!

    Personally, I don't believe that men are as interested in empowerment as much as they are interested in struggle and competition. If they are empowered, then they skip the struggle and forfeit the competition (thus, being ostracized from society). It's that simple! That's why this was called a "Horror Film" when it first came out. It was exploiting this male fear...the fear of losing control over one's self and consequently one's life.

    Anyways, I've preached enough. For many people who watch this film, there's only one implication...he's BIG. Make of that what you will!

View All The Amazing Colossal Man Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rob Humanick
October 26, 2011
Rob Humanick, Suite101.com

While Langan's work as the mentally unraveling colossal man is impressive, there's little else here save for genre bric-a-brac. Full Review

Carol Cling
March 31, 2006
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Campy sci-fi romp with vintage Vegas cachet.

Ken Hanke
July 30, 2002
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Typical Bert I. Gordon badness

Scott Weinberg
July 25, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Goofy ol' giant-guy sci-fi tale.

Dennis Schwartz
January 1, 2000
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

What the film failed to do, was be anything but cynical. Full Review

March 25, 2006
New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Linda Cook
December 22, 2002
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

No review available.

John J. Puccio
August 10, 2002
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

No review available.

David Poland
July 26, 2002
David Poland, Hot Button

No review available.

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

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  • What classic science fiction film contained the following line of dialogue: "What sin could a man commit in a single lifetime to bring this upon himself?"  Answer »
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