Quatermass and the Pit (AKA Five Million Years to Earth)
Dir: Roy Ward Baker
1967
****
Quatermass and the Pit, or Five Million Years to Earth as it was know in the US, is by far my favorite of the Quatermass series. I don't think the legendary production company Hammer have made a greater sci-fi film before or since, Quatermass and the Pit being one of the most intelligent and surprising sci-fi films ever made. It quite cleverly covers a cross-section of genres, going from mystery, thriller, ghost story to Alien invasion quite convincingly. The special effects were great for 1967 but it would be great to see a modern remake as the story would benefit from today's advanced visuals. However, there is nothing wrong with the pace, mood or direction. Some of the performances are overcooked but most of the time they're impressive. It's influence on modern sci-fi and horror is obvious, from Dr. Who to Star Trek, Quatermass can be seen everywhere. The direction from the great Roy Ward Baker (who replaced the great Val Guest) is sublime, Andrew Keir did a great job in replacing Brian Donlevy as Quatermass but for me it was James Donald as Doctor Roney who I believe stole the show. It would be another twenty-two years before Julian Glover would star in another brilliant face-melting scene (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade), his character of Colonel Breen was a little hammy but the portrayal of his demise is easily one of the best bits of the film.