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The Thing That Couldn't Die

  • 1958
  • Approved
  • 1h 9m
IMDb RATING
4.3/10
2.1K
YOUR RATING
Carolyn Kearney, Andra Martin, and William Reynolds in The Thing That Couldn't Die (1958)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer1:54
1 Video
32 Photos
Monster HorrorSupernatural HorrorHorror

A psychically gifted young woman discovers a centuries-old crate buried on her aunt's ranch. Opening it, her family discovers the living head of Gideon Drew, a 16th century devil worshiper w... Read allA psychically gifted young woman discovers a centuries-old crate buried on her aunt's ranch. Opening it, her family discovers the living head of Gideon Drew, a 16th century devil worshiper who was beheaded by Sir Francis Drake.A psychically gifted young woman discovers a centuries-old crate buried on her aunt's ranch. Opening it, her family discovers the living head of Gideon Drew, a 16th century devil worshiper who was beheaded by Sir Francis Drake.

  • Director
    • Will Cowan
  • Writer
    • David Duncan
  • Stars
    • William Reynolds
    • Andra Martin
    • Jeffrey Stone
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.3/10
    2.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Will Cowan
    • Writer
      • David Duncan
    • Stars
      • William Reynolds
      • Andra Martin
      • Jeffrey Stone
    • 57User reviews
    • 20Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:54
    Official Trailer

    Photos32

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    Top cast13

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    William Reynolds
    William Reynolds
    • Gordon Hawthorne
    Andra Martin
    Andra Martin
    • Linda Madison
    Jeffrey Stone
    Jeffrey Stone
    • Hank Huston
    Carolyn Kearney
    Carolyn Kearney
    • Jessica Burns
    Peggy Converse
    • Flavia McIntyre
    Robin Hughes
    Robin Hughes
    • Gideon Drew
    James Anderson
    James Anderson
    • Boyd Abercrombie
    Charles Horvath
    Charles Horvath
    • Mike
    Forrest Lewis
    Forrest Lewis
    • Julian Ash
    George Alexander
    • Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Phil Harvey
    Phil Harvey
    • Trooper Kennedy
    • (uncredited)
    Thomas Browne Henry
    Thomas Browne Henry
    • Galleon Capt. Fletcher
    • (uncredited)
    Stuart Wade
    • Trooper Swanson
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Will Cowan
    • Writer
      • David Duncan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews57

    4.32.1K
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    Featured reviews

    4canarycaia

    It's one of the best memories from my childhood

    Yes,the movie is not a piece of art but the first time I watched it I was 10 years old,my parents were out and I stayed home with my two brothers.It was May 1970(I know that because I found a note about the cycle of horror movies that one network had).It's one of the most vivid memories I have with the guys.We ended all in one bed and covered up to the head! Our very first horror movie! We kept talking about it for years and laughing about the moment.Those were horror movies.Nowadays horror movies are always the same.Or was it better when we were kids enjoying without analyzing the plot and the cast and the dialogs? Most sure it was that.But for me this is a great movie!
    8rbeck-4

    Establishes an aura of discomfort

    I saw this movie when I was 13 years old. From the perspective of a young teen-ager the movie made a lasting impression (along with "The Tingler" as two of the best horror movies I've seen (I'm now 56). The performance of Robin Hughes as the beheaded devil worshipper is compelling and downright scary - particularly when he stares at his quarry to capture them in his spell. The back & white film also establishes the feeling of cruelty of late 1500's justice..brought to the 20th century in the form of this brooding, evil headless character hell-bent to "get even" with humanity. I really want to see this movie again now that I'm an old guy. It has a "feel" that is uncomfortable, scary, musty, steeped in puritanical blindness, and antiquity.
    7GathofBaal

    Entertaining Camp

    Very entertaining. A girl with supernatural gifts feels something "Evil" while witching for water. Despite her warnings, her Aunt digs up an old chest, which turns out to contain the severed noggin of a sorceror. He starts controlling people in a quest for his body. They don't make 'em like this anymore. FX are pretty good, a highly enjoyable film.
    7babeth_jr

    I loved this one as a kid, and still do...

    This 1950's B-flick falls under the "it's so bad that it's good" movie category.

    I watched this picture numerous times as a kid on t.v. and hadn't seen it in years when I lucked out and caught it on American Movie Classics a few years back.

    Time had not changed the cheesiness of the plot, or the terrible acting by most of the lead actors, but who cares? This movie was made in the 1950's, when cheesy horror and sci-fi movies were all the rage.

    The plot revolves around a psychic young woman, Jessica, (portrayed by Carolyn Kearney, who wildly over acts in every scene she's in) who discovers an ancient chest buried on her Aunt's ranch. The chest contains the severed head of Gideon Drew (Robin Hughes), who was put to death several centuries earlier for satanism. Drew wants his head to be reunited with his body, and hey, who can blame him? There are several hilarious scenes of Drew's head being carried all over the ranch by the ranch's imbecile ranch hand Mike, as well as the head being hid in a hat box, etc. Can you stand it? They just don't make movies like this anymore.

    I love everything about this movie, from start to finish! It's not scary, just fun.
    4yardbirdsraveup

    Campy film deserves cult status

    I love this movie. Even though I rated it a "4", that's because the acting, the plot and the budget were all slated to the "B" universe even before this movie was released. But that's OK! It is an entertaining film that has a lot to offer!

    I remember what Leonard Maltin said about "Plan 9 From Outer Space": a film so bad that it's great! Lacking the UFO - alien plot, The Thing the Couldn't Die relies on the supernatural (divination, a buried head looking for it's body, hypnosis, etc) to tell it's story. The acting is stilted, the camera work second class and the settings are limited, but boy! what a movie! This film is available in the bootleg market. If you find a copy, buy it!

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    Related interests

    Bill Skarsgård in It (2017)
    Monster Horror
    Daveigh Chase in The Ring (2002)
    Supernatural Horror
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Co-star Robin Hughes would often perform Shakespearean monologues between shots. His horror makeup would enhance these moments all the more.
    • Goofs
      The characters claim the farm is isolated. However, the openings credits show the farm is clearly on the outskirts of a small town.
    • Quotes

      Jessica Burns: You're all horrible! I hope you all die!

    • Connections
      Featured in Son of Svengoolie: The Thing That Couldn't Die (1981)

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    FAQ12

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 16, 1959 (Mexico)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La cabeza maléfica
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Universal International Pictures (UI)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 9m(69 min)
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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