Behemoth, the Sea Monster (1959)

36% of users liked it
(449 ratings)

A perennial of the "Shock Theatre" TV circuit of the 1950s, The British The Giant Behemoth owes a great deal to the earlier American sci-fier The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. A Cornish fisherman is found covered with what looks like radiation burns. Before he dies, the fisherman utters the word… More A perennial of the "Shock Theatre" TV circuit of the 1950s, The British The Giant Behemoth owes a great deal to the earlier American sci-fier The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. A Cornish fisherman is found covered with what looks like radiation burns. Before he dies, the fisherman utters the word "behemoth," citing a monster alluded to in the Bible. It isn't long before England is besieged by a dinosaur-like monstrosity, evidently the by-product of atomic fallout. Only a high-powered torpedo stands between the Giant Behemoth and the helpless British citizenry. The film's stop-motion animation is pretty good, considering the tight budget; all the title character lacks is the distinctive personality of a King Kong, Godzilla or Gorgo. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Eugène Lourié
Genres: Drama, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Mar 3, 1959 Wide

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Featured Audience Ratings

Luke B

Typical 50's horror monster movie. Using radiation and nuclaer testing as a device rather than a talking point it is a mix between the Godzilla films and King Kong. It tries to cram a lot into 80 minutes with the initial mystery, discovery, attack, plan, big attack and final… More
Typical 50's horror monster movie. Using radiation and nuclaer testing as a device rather than a talking point it is a mix between the Godzilla films and King Kong. It tries to cram a lot into 80 minutes with the initial mystery, discovery, attack, plan, big attack and final confrontation. It certainly has big ambitions and shows brief glimpses of an empty London almost 50 years before 28 Days Later. The effects aren't too distracting or laughable but the constant use of singular shots is. The Brits are so frightfully British but luckily not to the point of stereotypical parody. Needless radiation rays that look like a cheap cartoon and some stupid actions (What's that goo there? May as well stick your hand in it) sometimes lower the credibility of this film but overall it's a pleasurable B movie.
Anthony V

Godzilla rip off does have a few bright spots.