Quatermass (1956)

As the millennium draws to a close, civilization is on the verge of collapse. Gangs rule the streets. Books are burned for fuel. And a monstrous force from outer space is destroying the world's youth. Planet Earth is in dire need of a hero. Enter the world's greatest rocket scientist--Professor Bernard Quatermass. Fresh out of retirement, the aging Quatermass is as brilliant and plucky as ever. While London crumbles under anarchy, the professor uses his powerful intellect to marshal assistance from American and Russian quarters and combat what could be the planet's final enemy. Along the way, he hopes to be reunited with his missing 16-year-old granddaughter. One of sci-fi's most original creations, inspiring favorites like The X-Files, this classic 1970s production of QUATERMASS stars Academy Award®-winner Sir John Mills (Ryan's Daughter, Gandhi) and features all four episodes, plus the rarely-seen theatrical version, on DVD for the first time ever. DVD Features: THE QUATERMASS CONCLUSION--The Rare, Feature-Length Theatrical Version; "Enduring Mystery of Stonehenge" episode from THE HISTORY CHANNEL®'s award-winning series In Search of History; Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Hmmm!

A little disappointing. The earlier versions of Quatermass had a strong supporting cast which, I think, carried Donlevy from one emotional outburst to another very well and made the films work. In this case, Mills, while more thoughtful in his mannerisms, lacks the emotional drive needed and doesn't have the benefit of a particularly strong supporting cast and good direction that the others had. Still, the film is worth watching. I cannot guarantee you will find it particularly satisfying however. August 16, 2008

Quatermass the Legendary '70's sci-fi classic

This is one of the best science fiction films I've seen so far. Personally, I find it fascinating, as it is about a cult where the young generation of that day is drawn to cirtain spots on the Earth, where they are compelled to call to a transporter, which is a large beam of bright light that then comes down and takes them up to another planet somewhere far out in space. Those who are not part of the cult, but are caught up in the beam are destroyed rather than taken to this planet. It's a great science fiction adventure! May 27, 2007

Only for the diehard archivist

This was a ghastly, tedious, nihilistic embarrassment. Leaden pace, spotty bad acting, questionable character motivations in many parts. And you have to ask yourself why on earth the (annoying) Planet People would have followed that non-charismatic complete butthead of a leader. Certainly the nadir for the Quatermass series. Perhaps the director does not speak science fiction, but some language alien to it. February 4, 2007

False Advertising

Buyer beware. The flash page intices you with the prospect of receiving The Quatermass Experiment (The Creeping Unknown), 1956 - in addition to the 1979 TV version, Quatermass. Forget about it. Shameful false advertising. Amazon: take down the false advertising. Have you no shame. September 8, 2006

Saved by the smell

I haven't seen the original BBC series, or the Hammer "Quatermass" films, but this Thames mini-series will have me searching for them. This reminded me a little of Max Headroom -- well-written story-driven science fiction; it's the story that kept me watching four hours straight -- the special effects are hobby store cheap.

All of the world's youth are becoming "Planet People." They're making pilgrimages to places like Stonehenge where they expect to be transported to another planet. They sing songs and chant things, like "Soon" and "Planet."

The scientists in the story think the Planet People are mad, until some get beamed up, or vaporized, at Ringstone Round. The Planet People feel validated. The scientists are irritated -- they suspect the Planet People are being harvested.

Quatermass is trying to find his granddaughter and get her rehabilitated before she gets beamed up, or vaporized.

Come to think of it, the whole show is kind of like "Footloose," told through the parents' eyes -- if the parents were scientists instead of religious fundamentalists, and it took place in the future. This time, though, in the end, it's not love, but the bomb that brings everyone together. August 8, 2006

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