Encounter with the Unknown (1972): Cast & Plot
Encounter with the Unknown is a 1972 mystery horror film directed by Harry Thomason, starring Rod Serling as Narrator (voice), John Cissne and Fran Franklin. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Harry Thomason
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Centronics International
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Encounter with the Unknown About?
The premise of Encounter with the Unknown without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Three chilling, true‑inspired stories unfold. A prank gone deadly leaves a classmate’s mother vowing death for the three culprits on days 7, 14 and 21, each prediction fulfilled. In Missouri, a mysterious howl rises from a mist‑shrouded earth pit where a boy’s father descends and screams. Later, a senator meets a girl on a bridge, only to discover from her father that she died years earlier.
Encounter with the Unknown Themes & Keywords
· 22 tags- lost pet
- college student
- hole
- voice over narration
- paranormal phenomenon
- flashback
- graveyard
- farmer
- funeral
- ghost
- priest
- cemetery
+10 more Show fewer
- curse
- occult
- accident
- independent film
- based on true story
- psychotronic film
- maniac
- monster
- anthology
- skinny dipping
Encounter with the Unknown Cast & Characters
Rod Serling leads the cast as Narrator (voice), with John Cissne as Johnny Davis and Fran Franklin as Mrs. Davis. Directed by Harry Thomason; 35 actors are credited in all.
- Director Harry Thomason
- Rod Serling as Narrator (voice)
- John Cissne as Johnny Davis
- Fran Franklin as Mrs. Davis
- Tom Haywood as Dave Terrell
Also Starring in Encounter with the Unknown
· 31 more- Gary Brockette Frank Cameron
- John Leslie Randy Powell
- Robert Ginnaven Father Duane
- Michael Harvey Senator
- Bill Thurman Second Man
- Annabelle Weenick Mother
- James N. Harrell Brother Taylor
- Charlie Dell Jonas
- Gene Ross Susan's Father
- David Haney First Man
- Rosie Holotik Susan
- Beverly Dixon Susan's Mother
- Frank Schaefer Barber
- Robert Holton Joe
- Ken Carson Doctor
- Lyle Armstrong Second Priest
Show all 35 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Mike Thompson
- Mary Jane Wilson Mrs. Wilson
- Charles Rumph Student
- Kevin Bieberly Jess
- Bob Glenn Constable
- Syl Schumann Third Man
- Judith Fields Senator's Wife
- August Sehven Paul
- Mitchell Wood
- Rose Hughes
- Phyllis Moore
- Joe Reynolds
- Becky Fain
- Gary White
- Becky Gaines
More from Harry Thomason
More films directed by Harry Thomason, best-rated first: The Hunting of the President, The Last Ride and The Day It Came to Earth.
Encounter with the Unknown Plot Summary
What happens in Encounter with the Unknown from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film presents three seemingly true stories of the supernatural, each weaving a quiet, unsettling thread through ordinary life and leaving a lingering sense that some patterns may be more than coincidence. The framework centers on a researcher, Dr. Jonathan Rankin, and on Rod Serling, who narrates the tales with a calm, eerie cadence that nudges the audience to question what they’re seeing.
Full summary
The whole story of Encounter with the Unknown, scene by scene
Encounter with the Unknown Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Encounter with the Unknown.
How Well Do You Know Encounter with the Unknown?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who provides the main narration for the anthology?
Cars in Encounter with the Unknown
20 cars on screen, including the 1970 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 and the 1970 Cadillac Funeral Coach.
-
1970 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 Minor role -
1970 Cadillac Funeral Coach Minor role -
1932 Chevrolet Confederate Minor role -
1969 Dodge Monaco Minor role
Seen Encounter with the Unknown?
Movies Like Encounter with the Unknown
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Undying Monster, Dead Teenagers and The Unnamable.
Encounter with the Unknown FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Encounter with the Unknown, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Encounter with the Unknown?
Encounter with the Unknown runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Encounter with the Unknown released?
Encounter with the Unknown was released on November 15, 1972.
Who directed Encounter with the Unknown?
Encounter with the Unknown was directed by Harry Thomason.
More films by Harry Thomason Who is in the cast of Encounter with the Unknown?
Encounter with the Unknown stars Rod Serling as Narrator (voice), John Cissne as Johnny Davis and Fran Franklin as Mrs. Davis, among 35 credited actors.
Does Encounter with the Unknown have a post-credit scene?
No. Encounter with the Unknown has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
