Quatermass and the Pit Rating: Release Date: 20 October, 1998 Retail Price: $29.98 Sorry, this product is not currently available. Cast: James Donald Andrew Keir James Taylor Robert Taylor Complete Cast (10 total)

Quatermass and the Pit Reviews

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Memorable and effective Hammer sci-fi
Nigel Kneale's sci-fi drama started off back in the fifties as a black-and-white TV play starring Andre Morell as Professor Quatermass, before Hammer decided to remake it with studio stalwart Andrew Keir in the title role. Although critics appear on the whole to regard the Morell film as the definitive version, this 1968 retelling is an impressive effort.

I sympathize with David Pirie, who criticized Roy Ward Baker for the "limitless number of close-ups in an attempt to convey tension". Certainly the close-ups are a little overdone, and Tristram Cary's otherwise brilliant score is a little too obvious too early on, yet still Quatermass and the Pit is a gripping, tense thriller with considerable suspense and atmosphere.

A strong supporting cast includes James Donald, Barbara Shelley and Julian Glover.

totally ahead of it's time
watching this movie it is almost unbelievable to think that it predates the whole x files/ufo conspiracy /alien interventionist/von daniken debates by around 30 years. the controversial theory that mankind's development may have been facilitated by extraterrestrials using genetic engineering and selective breeding is given a surprising supernatural twist, and if you can see past the rudimentary special effects you will be rewarded with an extremely engrossing and challenging sci-fi scenario.i first saw this film on a late night creature feature on t.v. in '79 and it really hooked me.in fact, i will go right out on a limb here and declare this film,in my opinion, one of the most important science fiction films of the 20th century,specifically because of the issues it addresses. many people, myself included, have often wondered whether it may have been likely that humans were given 'evolutionary nursemaids' in the formative years of our prehistoric past, possibly not always for completely altruistic purposes.....

More Customer Reviews (15 total)

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