Quatermass and the Pit (DVD)
Science Fiction Thriller -- The Hammer Collection
Written by Nigel Kneale, Directed by Roy Ward Baker
Starring James Donald, Andrew Keir, Barbara Shelley
Publisher: Hammer Film Limited / Anchor Bay, $29.99
Quatermass and the Pit, or Five Million Years to Earth as it was called in its US release, is a classic Sci-Fi Thriller that was released back in 1967 by Hammer Films. Even after all those years, it still holds its own place in the world of Sci-Fi movies.
The movie is based around a subway excavation site in London where workers uncover prehistoric skeletons. These are quickly discovered to be millions of years old, and the site is temporarily taken over by anthropologists. This is short-lived though, as a strange device is uncovered and the military quickly take over, thinking that the thing is a bomb from World War II.
Professor Quatermass, played by the wonderful Andre Keir, is a space expert who gets involved with Dr. Roney (James Donald) and Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) as they slowly find out the truth behind the strange “missile” that has been buried for millions of years.
Not wanting to spoil the story for those who may not have seen this movie, suffice it to say that things go very wrong once the military take over and try the cut into the “bomb,” as they think the strange device is. Things quickly become more unsettling and exciting as the story changes from one of discovery to just plain trying to survive.
The only thing I can complain about in this movie is a slight problem with the ending, in which one of the actors climbs onto a construction rig to operate it. It’s silly because he climbs up and out onto the edge of it, where there is obviously no control cabin. It’s like climbing into the trunk of your car to start it! Other than this one strange bit, which is part of a rather cool special effect scene (quite good for 1967), the movie is just a treat to watch. I remember seeing this movie on TV as a kid and being scared out of my wits. As an adult, I still find the movie to be creepy (especially when watched at night) and in my eyes a very good sci-fi thriller.
If you’re at all into old classic sci-fi movies, you owe it to yourself to at least check this movie out (if you can find it at a good rental store). Myself, I bought it on DVD as soon as I found it was available. It is one of the prides of my collection!
(review (c) January 2003 / David Flemming)