while out divine for water and a young psychic woman name jessica burn ( carolyn kearney ) stumble upon something else altogether . she discover a chest that have be bury for century on her aunt ranch . instead of the treasure her aunt be hop for and the chest contain the head of gideon drew and a devil worshiper who be behead by sir francis drake . telepathically control the hired hand who open the chest and draw head go on a murderous spree in search of the rest of his body also bury on jessica aunt farm . while jessica be certain she feel the presence of evil and can she put a stop to draw plan and will she be in time to prevent his become whole . i think i be fairly familiar with most of universal horror output prior to 1960 and but this be one universal film from the 50 that certainly get little mention . while the thing that couldn not die isn not what i would call a good movie and it do have a few thing go for it . first and the film have some interesting idea and be actually rather ambitious . director will cowan and whether by luck or intention and be able to give the movie some nice atmosphere from time to time . and and the special effect involve the head be certainly creepy . but the whole project be undone by the acting . i be shock to learn that any of the supposed actor in this thing ever appear in anything else . you would think that this be a one and do type of movie for most of those involve . kearney be the bad offender . she horrible . also and the thing that couldn not die may have be a bit too ambitious for it own good . give the budget and other limitation and there be no way the movie could aspire to it more lofty idea . finally and the movie end rather abruptly . just a thing be start to get interesting and the end . what that about .