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

Imprint has transferred John Gilling's The Gamma People to Blu-ray. Presently, this is only part of Imprint's Tales Of Adventure – Collection 5, which has The 27th Day (1957,) The Night The World Exploded (1957,) This Island Earth (1955,) Devil Girl From Mars (1954,) The Gamma People (1956,) and as a bonus, 1962's The Underwater City in standard-definition. This new 1080P transfer of The Gamma People is in the slightly bastardized 1.78:1 aspect ratio (from 1.85:1.) It embraces cultural aesthetics of 1950s genre filmmaking. Shot in black-and-white by cinematographer Ted Moore (From Russia with Love, A Man for All Seasons, Dr. No, Thunderball,) The Gamma People employs an effective style that prioritizes clarity and atmosphere over artistic flourish. While budget constraints limit elaborate camera work, there are occasional tracking shots, such as when Mike and Howard explore the village, that add energy to the comedic sequences. However, the camera remains static during most dialogue-heavy scenes, reflecting the film’s stagey roots although the dictator’s castle is a standout set, with high ceilings, heavy wooden furniture, and shadowy corridors. The 1080P has speckles and a few more prominent damage marks (see sample below.) The eventual HD presentation is inconsistent - kinda blocky looking more like an SD-bump. Possibly the worst of the set but still watchable.

NOTE: We have added 58 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Imprint uses a linear PCM dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Sound effects in The Gamma People are minimal but strategically used to enhance the sci-fi and horror elements, compensating for the film’s sparse visual effects. The most distinctive sound effects are those associated with Lochner’s gamma ray experiments. These include high-pitched whirring, buzzing, and pulsating hums that accompany the glowing machines. The film uses ambient sounds to establish the setting of Gudavia. Village scenes feature faint crowd murmurs, clattering cart wheels, and distant church bells, evoking a quaint but oppressed Eastern European hamlet. The predominantly orchestral score was by Greek / Italian George Melachrino (The Shop at Sly Corner, No Orchids for Miss Blandish, Appointment With Crime, Eight O'Clock Walk.) It is a functional but unremarkable example of 1950s B-movie orchestration.  Melachrino was accomplished on the violin, viola, oboe, clarinet and saxophone. Also in the film, some may recognize, Robert Schumann's Traumerei. Like the image quality the final result is a bit scattered at times with dialogue occasionally appearing like an unmatched sync. Imprint offer optional English subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Imprint Blu-ray's inclusion of 1962's The Underwater City (see captures at bottom) as a bonus adds value for collectors, especially since it’s a rare title not widely available on home media. Its thematic connection to The Gamma People - both are sci-fi B-movies exploring speculative science - makes it a fitting companion, though its SD presentation may disappoint viewers expecting better. The film’s obscurity and low-budget charm appeal to fans of 1960s genre cinema, but its lesser restoration effort positions it as a secondary attraction. Other than that there is just a trailer for The Gamma People.

John Gilling's The Gamma People takes place in Gudavia, a fictional Iron Curtain state, that serves as a thinly veiled allegory for Soviet bloc countries. Boronski’s dictatorial regime, complete with secret police and propaganda, reflects Western fears of communist oppression. The film struggles to balance its tonal shifts between comedy, mystery, and horror. The film’s release as a double feature alongside 1984 (1956) underscores its intended audience: fans of dystopian and sci-fi narratives looking for escapist thrills. The Gamma People is a fascinating, flawed artifact of 1950s science fiction, reflecting the era’s fears of nuclear technology, totalitarian regimes, and unchecked science. John Gilling was a prolific British filmmaker known for his work in genre cinema (The Flesh and the Fiends, Pickup Alley, Cross of the Devil, The Reptile, The Shadow of the Cat, The Plague of the Zombies.) With The Gamma People, Gilling tackled an unusual blend of science fiction, Cold War paranoia, comedy, and gothic horror, co-writing the screenplay with John W. Gossage. The Imprint Films Blu-ray of The Gamma People is a commendable release for an imperfect, niche, 1950s sci-fi B-movie. The weakest addition to the Tales Of Adventure – Collection 5 set but it has its moments of nostalgia. The Underwater City (SD) is a rare inclusion, appealing to genre completists despite its lower-quality transfer. Imprint’s dedication to preserving cult classics make the disc's contents worth a spin or two to devout fans.

Gary Tooze