Quatermass And The Pit (DVD) > Reviews

Advantages: Atmospheric story
Disadvantages: Dated effects

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 ... Read review

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 ... Read review

Advantages: Scary Cheap-o horror, surprisingly intelligent.
Disadvantages: The effects aren't exactly Industrial Light & Magic

...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, ... Read review

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. ... Read review