NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Film Masters Blu-ray (March 2025): Film Masters have transferred Wyott Ordung's Monster from the Ocean Floor to Blu-ray. It is on a single-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. The film is a quintessential example of 1950s low-budget science fiction filmmaking, shaped by its minimal resources, practical locations, and the era’s aesthetic conventions. It's a bit clunky in 1080P - and probably at the theatre as well. Shot in black-and-white on 35mm film, the movie leverages its coastal setting, practical effects, and utilitarian cinematography to create a moody, if rudimentary, monster horror experience. The overall image is slightly muddy - but we can presume from the best source available. The cinematography, handled by Floyd Crosby - an Oscar winner for Tabu: A Story of the South Seas  - is a surprising strength given the film’s shoestring budget, reported between $12,000 and $39,000. Crosby’s experience brings a professional eye to what could have been a visually sloppy production, making effective use of natural locations and limited resources. There are imperfections - less consistent - but I enjoyed the HD presentation - and the warts added to the charm. 

NOTE: We have added 42 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Film Masters use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Monster from the Ocean Floor has few effects consistent with its budget. What's here is pedestrian. The uncredited score is minimalistic, typical of 1950s B-movies where music was often sourced from stock libraries or composed quickly to fit tight schedules. It consists of simple orchestral arrangements featuring strings, woodwinds, and percussion, designed to evoke suspense, romance and adventure without overwhelming the narrative. There are short cues punctuating key moments. The romantic subplot between Julie (Anne Kimbell) and Steve Dunning (Stuart Wade) is underscored by light, melodic strings, a clichéd but effective touch that signals their burgeoning relationship, though it feels forced given the film’s brevity. Dialogue is fully audible in the lossless transfer. Film Masters offer optional English subtitles for the feature, and for the commentary (sample HERE,) on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Film Masters Blu-ray offers a new commentary by by film historian Tom Weaver (Creature Feature Creators: Conversations with Genre Greats of the 1940s-1970s,) joined by The Weaver Players, which includes archival contributions from Roger Corman himself. I'm a huge fan - he adds parts of education, fun and anecdote (he's conducted nearly 600 interviews with industry figures.) He augments with obscure trivia, and candid assessments of the film’s strengths and weaknesses. He shares, often first-hand, observations about Corman, Wyott Ordung (director and actor as 'Pablo') and William Danch (screenwriter) plus the largely forgotten cast. Weaver injects humor with asides about the film’s quirks - equal parts depth and Blu-ray entertainment value. It's a great addition which needs something more than the film. We get the 1/4 hour documentary “Bob Baker: From Monsters to Marionettes” produced by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures, narrated by film historian Justin Humphreys, exploring the career of Bob Baker, the puppeteer who designed the monster. It covers his work on films like George Pal’s productions, Disney’s Escape from Witch Mountain, The Angry Red Planet, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, with a focus on Monster from the Ocean Floor. There is an archival 9-minute video piece; "Roger Corman: Becoming a B-Movie Maker" where this interview with Corman delves into his early career, with a spotlight on Monster from the Ocean Floor. Corman recounts how he read about the one-man submarine in the Los Angeles Times, negotiated its use with Aerojet General, and assembled a team of first-timers. This featurette provides a personal narrative of his transition from story seller to producer, setting the stage for his B-movie empire, and may include reflections on the film’s $850,000 gross (Variety put this figure at $185,000) against its modest cost. There is also a stills gallery (courtesy of Mike Barnum) with sexy cheesecake from Anne Kimbell and a theatrical trailer (plus a 2024 re-cut trailer.) The package contains a full color inserted booklet with essay by Weaver.

Wyott Ordung's Monster from the Ocean Floor was reportedly shot in six days. It's pretty weak fare and probably doesn't even rise to the "so bad it's good" status. However it's still a fascinating artifact of Corman’s early career and the era’s cinematic trends. The film has minor 1950s Cold War anxieties, particularly the fear of science gone awry. It blends natural horror with technological fallout, a common trope although remains less satisfying. Only 50's sci-fi addicts, like myself, should consider the Film Masters Blu-ray. Even bland and less effective it retains that Corman appeal. Great commentary and extras abound. Enjoy!

Gary Tooze