Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

If you enjoy science fiction and movies made in the 1950's and 1960's, then you have probably seen Quatermass & The Pit / Quatermass 2. These two movies have been released as part of the Hammer Collection; two DVDs packaged together.


The Backstory

This section is for those not familiar with the character of Professor Quatermass. Nigel Kneale created the character for BBC television. Quatermass has not only appeared in television serials, and radio, but has also been featured in many movies from the 1950's to the 1970's.

Quatermass is a brilliant British scientist connected with an experimental rocket group. He is brusque and determined, fighting against all whom he thinks corrupt or misguided. All of the adventures that I’ve seen have involved Quatermass battling alien foes.


The 2-Disc Set

It’s interesting to note that Disc One (Quatermass & the Pit) is plain silver with no decoration, not even a title. The second disc (Quatermass 2) has a color illustration across the entire surface. Both DVDs are packaged in a plastic keep case. Two card inserts came in the case, one for each movie. The front of the card is designed like a small movie poster, while the back of the card lists the Chapter Selections on the DVD. (Quatermass & The Pit has 10 Chapter Selections, while Quatermass 2 has 19 Chapter Selections.)

Disc One (double-sided): Quatermass & The Pit

* Widescreen (1.85:1)
* Dolby Surround Sound 5.1
* Audio Commentary with director Roy Ward Baker and writer Nigel Kneale
* US & UK Theatrical Trailers
* 60-second and 20-second TV Spots (commercials)
* “World of Hammer” special

Disc Two: Quatermass 2

* Full-Frame
* Mono Sound
* Audio Commentary with director Val Guest and writer Nigel Kneale
* “U.S. Enemy from Space” Theatrical Trailer
* “World of Hammer” special


Quatermass & The Pit (1967) – 98 minutes – Color

The Plot

Anthropologist, Dr. Roney, is working in a London subway excavation with his assistant, Barbara Judd. Workers unearth a human skeleton and then more remains. When a metal object is also uncovered, it is assumed it might be a leftover bomb from the war, and the military are summoned. Only this is no ordinary metal object. As more of it is unburied, it is apparent that the missile is actually a spacecraft.

Gaining entrance to the craft, the remains of aliens are discovered. The aliens resemble locust-type creatures. Soon strange occurrences plague the work site, and the people around the spaceship begin to experience a psychic connection with something generating from the ship. The phenomena increases in power until it affects a large portion of people in the city. With mayhem threatening from this unearthed alien technology, Professor Quatermass must believe the impossible. The space ship is alive ... and it is gaining control of the human race.

My Thoughts

When I first saw this movie as a teenager, it haunted me. The actors are superb, and the storyline eerie. The DVD movie is in color and has excellent resolution and sound. If the movie were made today, I’m sure that the insect-like aliens would look more sophisticated. However, the special effects done in the 1960's can stand on their own even by today’s standards. This movie also goes under the name: Five Million Years to Earth (which was the title when I first saw it).

Andrew Keir is a terrific Professor Quatermass. His performance is strong, striking the right balance between a brilliant scientist with glimpses of a humane and thoughtful man behind his brusque exterior. Dr. Roney, played by James Donald, is almost stereotypical as an anthropologist immersed in his work with no outside life. His beautiful assistant is portrayed by Barbara Shelley, who is soft-spoken with intelligence and insight. The antagonist in the movie (besides the alien intelligence) is Colonel Breen, played by Julian Glover. He does an excellent job as an inflexible military officer who has a narrow focus, refusing to believe in anything improbable. Another character that is haunting is the worker Sladden, portrayed by Duncan Lamont, who is taken over by alien influence. His performance pulls me into the film and makes the alien culture believable.

I always enjoy watching this movie. It is wonderfully plotted, crafted and acted. The sound effects are great, too. This is an intelligent science fiction movie that builds suspense with each menacing discovery. The ending is well done, and always leaves me thinking about humanity and possibilities.

The Cast

James Donald – Dr. Roney
Andrew Keir – Professor Quatermass
Barbara Shelley – Barbara Judd
Julian Glover – Colonel Breen
Duncan Lamont – Sladden
Bryan Marshall – Captain Potter
Peter Copley – Howell
Edwin Richfield – Minister
Grant Taylor – Police Sergeant Ellis
Maurice Good – Sergeant Cleghorn
Robert Morris – Watson
Sheila Steafel – Journalist
Hugh Futcher – Sapper West
Hugh Morton – Elderly Journalist
Thomas Heathcote – Vicar
Noel Howlett – Abbey Librarian

Directed by Roy Ward Baker
Produced by Anthony Nelson Keys
Original Story & Screenplay by Nigel Kneale


Quatermass 2 (1957) – 85 minutes – Black & White

The Plot

An array of small meteors are falling to the earth, only they aren’t meteors. Professor Quatermass discovers a government installation that looks identical to an interplanetary base he designed but was never built. As he determines what the base is, and who stole his design plans, one of Quatermass’s men is exposed to a meteor and is contaminated by an alien organism. Quatermass’ investigation reveals that the earth is undergoing an alien invasion. He finagles his way into the alien base and tries to learn more about the menace only to witness more treachery and disaster.

Quatermass has a difficult time convincing anyone of the danger and realizes that humans in influential positions are being taken over by aliens. When Quatermass stops at a local tavern to convince villagers of the danger, another meteor attack occurs. This mobilizes the town’s people into action and catapults Quatermass into an attack against the aliens.

My Thoughts

Brian Donlevy bludgeons his way through the script. No matter how I try, I cannot picture him as Professor Quatermass, despite this being the second movie where Donlevy plays the professor. It’s frustrating to watch Donlevy in this role because he is so filled with urgency and force of personality that he does not include any qualities that make him a likeable hero.

With Brian Donlevy onscreen, he overpowers the other members of the cast. He tends to yell over the other actors to assert his character. This abrasive attitude is overdone. Comparing the performances of Donlevy to Andrew Keir, who played Quatermass in “Quatermass & The Pit” ... Donlevy looks like he is overacting the part. I would much rather see Keir playing Quatermass in this film.

One thing I enjoy in watching older science fiction movies are the special effects. Today we would call the effects in this film “cheesy” or “cheap”. It’s almost like watching a live-action cartoon when the alien menace is revealed in its true form. I don’t find the alien believable. I don’t want to say more in case you haven’t seen the film.

The alien base was filmed at the Shell Oil Refinery in England. This is a great backdrop to the film. The oil refinery almost acts as a character with all its rigging and looming buildings. Giant mysterious domes complete the threat.

I really want to like this movie as part of the Quatermass collection of films; however, Donlevy distracts me from the plot. It’s hard for me to get past his battering-ram portrayal of Professor Quatermass. However, I will watch this movie again because I like the Quatermass series.

The Cast

Brian Donlevy – Professor Quatermass
John Longdon – Lomax
Sydney James – Jimmy Hall
Bryan Forbes – Marsh
William Franklyn – Brand
Vera Day – Sheila
Charles Lloyd Pack – Dawson
Tom Chatto – Broadhead
John Van Eyssen – The P.R.O.
Percy Herbert – Gorman
Michael Ripper – Ernie
John Rae – McLeod
Marianne Stone – Secretary

Directed by Val Guest
Executive Producer – Michael Carreras
Produced by Anthony Hinds
Screenplay by Nigel Kneale


The Extras

Quatermass & The Pit – commentary offers insight into the movie and the Quatermass mythology. I always enjoy knowing the behind-the-scenes insider knowledge about films. I wish the sound was better. Sometimes the writer, Nigel Kneale, is hard to hear, while director Roy Ward Baker’s voice is much louder.

The Quatermass & The Pit – trailers & commercials are typical of what you would expect to see for short movie blurbs. There are four in total, and they pretty well duplicate each other.

Quatermass 2 – commentary has better sound quality than the other commentary; however, there are areas where the sound is low. The director and writer discuss the origins of Quatermass and our world history that helped shape the events influencing the movie. There is also discussion of the movie-making process and the cast (particularly Brian Donlevy).

The Quatermass 2 – trailer is in black-and-white like the movie. I like this trailer better than the trailers for “Quatermass & The Pit”. This trailer has the title “Enemy from Space,” an alternate title.

Oliver Reed narrates The World of Hammer – Sci-Fi. This is a retrospective of Hammer’s films. It is heavily laden with film clips with brief overlays of narration about the movies. This special gives little information about Hammer Productions and not much detail about the individual films. At the end of the half hour presentation, a list of movies with their release dates scrolls across the screen. I found this extra disappointing. There was so much information it could have included and did not. The two movie commentaries were more insightful. Note that this same “World of Hammer” feature appears on both DVDs.


Purchasing

This movie retails for $24.98. I had a store coupon and did not have to pay full price.


Summary

I am glad that Quatermass & The Pit / Quatermass 2 is part of my DVD library. My favorite film of the two is “Quatermass & The Pit”. I especially enjoy the portrayal of Quatermass by Andrew Keir. These are two movies that fans of 1950's and 1960's science fiction will enjoy.

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Please read my other reviews:

The Mummy: The Legacy Collection (5 mummy movies)

Topper & Topper Returns (Double Bill)

The Private Navy of Sgt. O’Farrell

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LiteOn LVW-5005 DVD Player/Recorder

TV Guide (new larger format)


Copyright 2006 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD