Watch Encounter with the Unknown

Encounter with the Unknown is a horror anthology film released in 1972, directed by Harry Thomason and produced by his wife, Linda. Each of the three chapters is narrated by Rod Serling, introducing a different set of characters in a different location, each encountering unsettling and terrifying events. The first chapter, "The Cravings," takes place in a small American town where a married couple is terrorized by a sinister entity that feeds on human blood. The husband, played by David Osterhout, gradually succumbs to the creature's influence, becoming a willing slave to its desires. Meanwhile, his wife, played by Gail Smale, tries to resist the monster's advances and find a way to save her husband's soul.

In the second chapter, "The Benediction," a young woman named Janet, played by Michele Conaway, arrives at a Catholic convent in the countryside to take her vows as a nun. However, she soon discovers that the convent is haunted by a malevolent presence that drives the sisters to madness and death. With the help of the sympathetic Mother Superior, played by Virginia Leith, and a skeptical priest, played by Richard Monahan, Janet investigates the origins of the haunting and exposes a dark secret that threatens to destroy the convent.

The third and final chapter, "The Enigma of Rancho Diablo," features a group of scientists who travel to a remote desert laboratory to investigate a bizarre phenomenon that has been affecting the local wildlife. The team is led by Dr. Ashley, played by Mark Christian, a brilliant but overconfident researcher who believes he can solve any problem with science. However, as they delve deeper into the mystery, they encounter an ancient force that defies rational explanation and threatens to consume them all.

Overall, Encounter with the Unknown is a classic example of low-budget horror filmmaking in the early 1970s, with a mix of atmospheric visuals, eerie music, and macabre storytelling. While it may lack the polish and sophistication of higher-budget productions, it offers plenty of scares and thrills for fans of the genre. The performances by the relatively unknown cast are solid, and Serling's iconic voiceovers add a touch of class to the proceedings. Despite some flaws in pacing and plotting, each of the three stories has a distinct and memorable flavor, ranging from gothic romance to creature feature to science fiction horror. In conclusion, Encounter with the Unknown is a must-watch for anyone interested in vintage horror cinema and a great introduction to the work of Harry and Linda Thomason, who went on to produce popular TV shows and movies like Designing Women and The Reivers.

Encounter with the Unknown is a 1972 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.