Quatermass and the Pit (1967)

A mysterious artifact is unearthed in London, and famous scientist Bernard Quatermass is called into to divine its origins and explain its strange effects on people.

Director:

Roy Ward Baker

Writers:

Nigel Kneale (original story), Nigel Kneale (screenplay)

Stars:

James Donald, Andrew Keir, Barbara Shelley

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Donald	...	Doctor Roney
Andrew Keir	...	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

Storyline

While digging a new subway line in London, a construction crew discovers first: a skeleton, then what they think is an old World War II German missile. Upon closer examination the "missile" appears to be not of this earth! This movie examines the age old question of how we came to be on this planet. It is surprisingly scary.

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Plot Keywords:

lovecraftian | dream recorder | dream recording | psychotronic film | kaiju | 

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Taglines:

All Earth Stands Helpless! Spawned in the depths of outer space -- a monster so horrible, so vicious, so incredible -- even when you see it you won't believe it could be! (U.S. poster)

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Dr. Roney is picking at the eyeball of the dead Martian creature in his laboratory the pupils of the compound eye are a rectangular slot shape rather then round like a human eye. This is reminiscent of a goat's eye, a creature that has for centuries been associated with witchcraft and sorcery.

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Goofs

Just before the workman begins his attempt to drill into the buried ship, as Quatermass joins him some gloves magically appear on his hands.

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Quotes

Professor Bernard Quatermass: These shapes, suggests some sort of... apparatus... instruments...
Col. Breen: Your imagination is running wild
Professor Bernard Quatermass: Isn't yours?
Col. Breen: What?

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Alternate Versions

The 2011 UK DVD and Blu-ray release has some of the credits in the opening titles reworked to remove the "Associated Britsh-Pathe Limited presents" credit and accordingly the titles appearing from "A Hammer Film Production" to the title of the film appear in a different synchronized order and accordingly have been extended to appear longer on the print by a few seconds so that the title of the film still appears at the same music clash points as intended.

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Connections

Featured in Screenwipe: Review of the Year (2006)

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Soundtracks

Martians?
(uncredited)
Written and Performed by Tristram Cary

User Reviews

Classic British Sci-Fi movie with an excellent Andrew Keir as Quatermass

The picture concerns about the strange deeds into a London underground . There find a Martian aircraft which probes the humanity is created by a superior civilization . Then arrive Quatermass (Andrew Keir) , an official army (Julian Glover) and two obstinate scientists (James Donald and Barbara Shelley) , all of them discover fantastic events . The plot is developed for continuous discovery , leading a spooky and astounding finale.

The movie is an outstanding adaptation from a TV serial exhibited in BBC (1958-59) written by Nigel Kneagle . As protagonist turns up Andrew Keir substituting to Brian Donlevy starring in ¨The Quatermass experiment¨ and ¨Quatermass II¨ , both of them directed by Val Guest , besides John Mills starred the final chapter titled the ¨Conclusion Quatermass¨ directed by Piers Haggard . This 1967 film is one of the greatest British science fiction films and the best of Quatermass trilogy . The great climax film is , of course , the final confrontation between the starring and the weird entity . In the picture appears the usual Hammer technicians and artistic team as cameraman Arthur Grant creating a riveting and colorful cinematography , Bernard Robinson making an awesome production design and ordinary musical conductor Philip Martell . The film is well produced by Anthony Nelson and magnificently directed by Roy Ward Baker . The flick will appeal to science fiction movie enthusiasts and Hammer fans . Rating : Above average and well worth watching .

Details

Official Sites:

Hammer [UK]

Country:

UK Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 February 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Five Million Years to Earth

Filming Locations:

St Nicholas Church, Chiswick, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

GBP275,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1