Back in the 50s and 60s Hammer Studios in England churned out a lot of quality horror and science fiction series and films. Among these were the Peter Cushing Frankenstein and Dracula films, a raft of other cave man, science fiction and horror films (they did Raquel Welch's One Million Years BC) and what was in some ways their finest achievement - the Quatermass tv series and films.
The Quatermass serials and films are a sort of cross between science fiction and horror. Different actors portray the lead character Bernard Quatermass and to me they all did well. Quatermass is a scientist heading up the British Rocket Group and in each of the serials and films he faces forces that ultimately threaten the future of humanity.
Okay, now to the film in question.
Quatermass and the Pit is also known in the US as Five Million Years to Earth. The plot in basic terms involves the investigation into what is originally thought to be an unexploded bomb in London and how things proceed to a catastrophic situation by the end. It is tense, well directed, VERY well acted and what I really appreciated was its intelligence. It seems brit science fiction always manages to dial up the intelligence quotient without losing its dramatic merits and this is no exception.
Andrew Kier was tremendous as Quatermass and Julian Glover did a great, slightly understated turn as Colonel Breen - Quatermass antagonist in the film.
Sadly the only place I can find it online is on YouTube - if you like classic science fiction at all give it a try:
The Quatermass serials and films are a sort of cross between science fiction and horror. Different actors portray the lead character Bernard Quatermass and to me they all did well. Quatermass is a scientist heading up the British Rocket Group and in each of the serials and films he faces forces that ultimately threaten the future of humanity.
Okay, now to the film in question.
Quatermass and the Pit is also known in the US as Five Million Years to Earth. The plot in basic terms involves the investigation into what is originally thought to be an unexploded bomb in London and how things proceed to a catastrophic situation by the end. It is tense, well directed, VERY well acted and what I really appreciated was its intelligence. It seems brit science fiction always manages to dial up the intelligence quotient without losing its dramatic merits and this is no exception.
Andrew Kier was tremendous as Quatermass and Julian Glover did a great, slightly understated turn as Colonel Breen - Quatermass antagonist in the film.
Sadly the only place I can find it online is on YouTube - if you like classic science fiction at all give it a try:
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