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

ADDITION: Film Detective Blu-ray (January 2021): Film Detective have transferred Richard E. Cunha's Giant from the Unknown to Blu-ray. It is cited as a "New 4k Restored Version". While not particularity robustly transferred - on a single-layered disc with a modest bitrate - the source must have been in sold shape as the image quality is quite strong. It is very clean with pleasing detail and frequent depth. I expect a higher bitrate would have better supported the print's density and exported richer, deeper black levels. But the 1080P transfer advances on SD and I observed no fatal issues with the HD presentation on my system. I loved my viewing. 

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Film Detective use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (16-bit) in the original English language. It is another advancement in the film's audio and over exuberant score by Albert Glasser (Tormented, The Cyclops, Attack of the Puppet People, Abilene Town, The Spider, I Shot Jesse James, Behind Locked Doors) sounding a bit deeper with more consistent dialogue. Film Detective offer optional English or Spanish subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

NOTE: The subtitles were skewed to the left of the screen - see sample at bottom - not to indicate who was speaking (as we have seen on some Universal titles) but, presumably, an authoring error.

The Film Detective Blu-ray offers two commentaries. The first is by Tom Weaver and he talks about "backyard horror films", Giant of the Unknown's $55,000 budget and how filmmakers economize their projects - the crew all working as extras etc. and he genuinely increased my appreciation - these are the exact type of films I love, anyway. He details cast and crew linking them to other projects, keeping a good pace and we absolutely endorse. The second commentary is by Gary Crutcher who played 'Charlie Brown' in the film. It being his first film, he claims he got the part because he looked a bit like the girl who was supposed to be his sister in the film. He talked about it being shot in Big Bear Lake / Big Bear Valley. It sounds like the commentary may have been recorded in 2015 when Gary was in his 70's or 80s. He also played a spaceship crew member in Curtis Harrington's Queen of Blood and was in 1973's Superchick as well as a few TV series. It was mildly interesting but not as informative or fun as Tom Weaver's commentary. There is also a 1/4 hour interview with Gary Crutcher. Also included is a good 10-minute piece from C. Courtney Joyner entitled The Man With a Badge: Bob Steele in the 50's referencing the actor's many westerns in that era. Lastly, is a trailer and the package has a 10-page collector’s booklet with still gallery and liner notes by Weaver. 

Giant from the Unknown is right up my alley. I adore these campy nostalgic efforts that often stretch every dollar with the 'build' of the monster always being frequently more effective than seeing them. It was all about setting the stage after drawing in the 50's theater audience with the, usually, salacious and descriptive title + posters. Here we get the small town milieu, an unknown 'creature' reeking havoc and the academia brainiacs revealing the truth while conflicting with the townsfolk - formulaic but I never tire of it. Giant from the Unknown is a film I am very happy to own via the Film Detective Blu-ray and the commentaries, video extras and booklet make it a very comforting purchase for my digital library.

Gary Tooze