Production Year: 1967 - Horror - Director: Roy Ward Baker - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: James Donald, Andrew Keir, Barbara Shelley, Julian Glover more
Workers renovating the London Underground discover what they at first take to be an unexploded World War II bomb. On closer inspection it turns out to be a great deal more... more
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the origins of humanity is unearthed beneath a London tube station, only the esteemed Professor Bernard Quatermass can save London's suddenly murderous population ...
the origins of humanity is unearthed beneath a London tube station, only the esteemed Professor Bernard Quatermass can save London's suddenly murderous population from itself. One of the most intelligently paranoid science fiction films ever produced, this pessimistic masterpiece functions as a dark flip-side to the relatively optimistic alien-induced evolution theory presented in the later2001: A Space Odyssey. Nigel Kneale's brilliant script (which posits a surprisingly plausible, otherworldly rationale for the existence of the supernatural) was later appropriated by acknowledged fan John Carpenter for his underratedPrince of Darkness. A must-see for horror and science fiction aficionados. This film is also known asFive Million Years to Earth. --Andrew Wright
the origins of humanity is unearthed beneath a London tube station, only the esteemed Professor Bernard Quatermass can save London's suddenly murderous population from itself. One of the most intelligently paranoid science fiction films ever produced, this pessimistic masterpiece functions as a dark flip-side to the relatively optimistic alien-induced evolution theory presented in the later2001:A Space Odyssey. Nigel Kneale's brilliant script (which posits a surprisingly plausible, otherworldly rationale for the existence of the supernatural) was later appropriated by acknowledged fan John Carpenter for his underratedPrince of Darkness. A must-see for horror and science fiction aficionados. This film is also known asFive Million Years to Earth. --Andrew Wright
Production Year: 1980 - Horror - Director: Stanley Kubrick - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
Production Year: 2000 - Horror - Director: Keenen Ivory Wayans - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Carmen Electra, Anna Faris, Kurt Fuller, James Van Der Beek, Keenen Ivory Wayans
A review by ThePolarOne on Quatermass And The Pit (DVD) March 9th, 2006
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Good
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to similar films?
Good
Advantages:
Atmospheric story
Disadvantages:
Dated effects
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
When thinking of films, for most 'Hammer' will mean Horror. But many fondly remember one of their science fiction off shoots in the Quatermass films. Quatermass was originally a British television series in 1953, called The Quatermass Experiment. After it's success a second series was made in 1955, which coincided with the first Quatermass film based on the 1953 series. The second series was also made into a film in 1957, which was then followed by a third TV series called Quatermass and the Pit in 1958. It is the 1967 film version of that which I am reviewing. Confusing? Perhaps, but it illustrates the shows popularity.
While Quatermass is a bit of a legend amongst the British sci-fi community, it isn't a name that rolls off the tongue of your average film goer. Helped less by the fact that the lead actor was changed in nearly every version. When Andrew Keir took on the role for Quatermass and the Pit, nine years had passed since the previous one, and Hammer Films were entering the twilight of their glory days. Although I still think it's a cracking little film.
Written by Nigel Kneale, who created and wrote all the original Quatermass scripts, it starts at the construction site for a new underground rail station in London. As the workers are tunnelling they find the preserved remains of some prehistoric humans. An archaeological team is called in to recover as much remains as possible. Dr Rooney (James Donald) heads the team and thinks that the remarkably well preserved skeletons may be an important missing link in human evolution. However, they also find a very large and very strange metal object buried with them. With the potential of it being an unexploded bomb from World War 2, a military bomb squad are called in to take charge. Considering the sci-fi nature of the film, you would be safe in assuming that there are quite a few surprises to come.
Quatermass is a scientist, involved with his own project regarding space exploration, but becomes accidentally involved in this situation because of the military. It is his natural (almost excessive) curiosity that keeps him involved and he soon finds close companions in Dr Rooney and his assistant Barbara. The story moves at a good pace early on, linking together local folklore and ghost stories with activity around the site over the past centuries. It's good that they choose to focus largely on this historical and supernatural aspect of whatever is buried under London, because when they do talk science it isn't the most convincing stuff I've ever heard. There is one moment involving the recording of hallucinations in someone's brain and playing them back on a projector, which does require absolute suspension of disbelief. Despite that the scene itself is carried off very well.
In fact, a lot Roy Ward Baker's direction is very good. The tension is built up gradually and aided by a script that slowly releases pieces of important information. So I never felt like I knew much more than the central characters, and it kept me interested throughout. He handles the modest special effects budget well, managing to deliver the right atmosphere, even when his monsters are either imaginary or goo covered pieces of rubber. The climax is genuinely creepy and takes the whole story to another level, but the conclusion a little rapid. At least it makes sense though, and the story as a whole is very satisfying in its grandeur.
The cast draws very much from British television, which is no bad thing in this period, and many of the stars have also deservedly enjoyed other film successes. James Donald (The Great Escape) is one of the most recognisable faces and is convincing as the enthusiastic scientist. Barbara Shelley (Village of the Damned) is unfortunately the token female assistant. She looks pretty and does have some good scenes, but is often sidelined as someone in peril or being told what is going on. Julian Glover (For Your Eyes Only) gives a wonderful performance, even if somewhat stereotypical, as bomb expert Colonel Breen. He's stern, controlling, egotistical, and adds an important dynamic of conflict to the central characters. Finally Andrew Keir (Cleopatra) as Quatermass is also very good. I've not seen all the Quatermass productions, so couldn't make a fair comparison between the lead actors, but Keir certainly fills the role well. He comes across as quite a mild mannered man, who seems to thrive on thinking outside of the box. And as hero he seems remarkably human; we see him afraid a number of times.
It would be fair to say that Quatermass resembles Doctor Who in many ways, although it has been said that Nigel Kneale disliked Doctor Who, and so he might not thank me for the comparison. Quatermass and the Pit succeeds in filling its running time with mystery and action without ever feeling too contrived or outstaying its welcome. It has dated in both look and feel, especially when a few monsters do turn up that look like three legged grasshoppers. But don't let that put you off too easily. There is plenty of fun to be had.
Rated: 15 Running Time: 97 mins
More: A fourth television series of Quatermass was made in 1979, and a remake of The Quatermass Experiment was made in 2005 as a TV movie for BBC4.
Trivia: Duncan Lamont plays an important role as a freelance drill operator in this version of Quatermass and The Pit. He also played one of the central roles in the original TV series in 1953.
Advantages: Iconic Classic Disadvantages: Puppetry special effects
Quatermass and the Pit
Directed by Roy Ward Baker
Written by Nigel Kneale Certification: Unrated
Running time: 97 mins
Released 1968 Production Company: Hammer Studios
Music composed by: Tristam Cary Cast:: James Donald: Dr Mathew Roney
Andrew Keir: Professor Bernard Quatermass
Barbara Shelley: Barbara Judd
Julian Glover: Colonel Breen
Introduction
released by Hammer, better known for its Horror Films, Quatermass and The Pit was based on ... ...part of a trilogy, The Quatermass Experiment 1955 and Quatermass2 1957being the other two. The Setting
An urban setting in 1960’s Hobbs End is a rundown town on the outskirts of the city of London, distant enough to be remote but close enough to be a threat to the populace of the city. The Storyline
An Underground Tube Tunnel is being renovated and expanded. Bones are found and the work is stopped. Anthropologists, Dr Mathew Rooney and his assistant ...
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16.05.2004
Hammer time Review ofQuatermass And The Pit (DVD)by
Plissken
...quality science fiction pictures like Quatermass and the Pit, and they are somewhat dubious.
Set in London, it begins when workers extending the underground system uncover a strange object. Suspecting it to be an unexploded bomb, the military are called in. Professor Quatermass also arrives to give his opinion.
As more of the object is uncovered, neanderthal skeletons are also discovered around it. Despite its obvious extra-terrestial qualities, ... ...passing through an interior bulkhead, Quatermass begins to explore the craft's influence on the surrounding area over the centuries.
When the bulkhead is eventually breached, three dead aliens, resembling giant grasshoppers are discovered. Taken away for examination, they quickly disintergrate. Meanwhile, the workman's thoughts are probed, and reveal a scratchy film showing these Martian grasshoppers jumping around, and inducing each other to mass ...
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Advantages: Enjoyably silly plot. Disadvantages: Need to be a lover of the horror/sci-fi genres.
...par for Hammer Horror. Professor Quatermass himself (Andrew Keir) and the very easy-on-the-eye Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) stand out and provide very believable performances. This is impressive in a plot which requires a very healthy dose of "suspension of disbelief".
Even with special effects limited by the age of the filming and an obviously tiny budget this manages to be worth a watch at least once by lovers of the two genres. Give it a go. ...
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Advantages: Probably the best British TV science-fiction series ever Disadvantages: Poor transfer to DVD in places, although given the equipment in use....
...and longer-ranged rockets based on material captured in Germany at the end of WW2. In 1953 it was not known whether it was possible to launch a man into space and return him safely - this feat was still eight years in the future.
Although Kneale did not know it at the time, he was writing the first of a trilogy which would influence writers for generations to come, and still remain as probably the finest three SF stories to emerge anywhere in the world. The three, included on this three-disc DVD set, are "The Quatermass Experiment", "Quatermass II" and "Quatermass and the Pit". Also included is an impressive documentary about Nigel Kneale's SF work during and post-Quatermass, a shorter doc about the making of the 'Demons' in "The Pit", and a recording of a programme showing the director of the three Quatermass series, Rudolph Cartier, in...
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Advantages: Very innovative and very entertaining. Disadvantages: Some poor quality (but that is not surprising)
...to a deserted village and a strange factory that closely resembles the professors own design for a space colony. The professor has to battle against official obstruction and secrecy to find the answer.
Here John Robinson took the part of the professor following the death of Reginald Tate. He does do an adequate job of bringing the professor to life.
Quatermass and the pit: broadcast 22/12/58-26/01/59
Prof. Quatermass Andre Morell
This one is perhaps the best known. The story is that during rebuilding work in London that some archaeological specimens are found. Then something that is thought to be an unexploded wartime bomb. So the military have to be called in. Professor Quatermass is a friend of the lead archaeologist and is invited to come along and see for himself. Things soon start to get interesting and a threat is revealed...
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The Quatermass Collection - The Quatermass Experiment / Quatermass 2 / Quatermass And The Pit (DVD)
Release details
DVD Region: DVD
Studio(s): WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date: 11/10/2004
No of Discs: 1
Catalogue No: D 039233
Barcode: 7321900392334
Screenwriter: Nigel Kneale
Languages
Main Language: English
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Listed on Ciao since : 19/02/2001
DVD Description
Workers renovating the London Underground discover what they at first take to be an unexploded World War II bomb. On closer inspection it turns out to be a great deal more mysterious - a spaceship, millions of years old, bearing the fossilized bodies of dead aliens. Professor Quatermass (Andre Morrell), unconventional science expert, is brought in to bring to light this disturbing discovery, which turns out to have unforeseen effects on the local populace. This disc contains all 6 episodes from the BBC televison series first aired in 1957.
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23.09.2006
