Hammer's decision to return to the formula of their Quatermass films of the 1950s was a good one, resulting in this exciting, intriguing and intellectually stimulating film, which is a classic example of the science fiction and horror genres intertwining wonderfully. The story of aliens being discovered in a pit and opening up latent psychic energies within their ancestors (i.e. us) is an excellent one, much more thought out and far-reaching than other typical sci-fi fodder. No doubt this is due to Nigel Kneale's involvement in the film. While I thoroughly enjoyed the Blob-style aliens of the 1950s films in the series, this one tries something new and original and it really works.
Andrew Keir takes over the role of Professor Quatermass from Brian Donlevy here, and does a good impression of a kindly, middle aged scientist. I admit I wasn't taken with him at first but his bluff character quickly grows on you. Barbara Shelley is once again impressive in her role as the screaming heroine, and at least she isn't as drippy as some of her counterparts in other Hammer films. She's as attractive as ever and has an intriguing role. James Donald is on hand as a dedicated scientist and is a very likable actor, while Julian Glover perhaps deserves the greatest award for being one of the most slimy and plain stupid army officers that I've ever seen.
QUATERMASS AND THE PIT is an example of Hammer at its finest. The early scenes with the alien aircraft in the pit are very good and the film holds the attention throughout. The scientific jargon used is realistic and considerably adds to the film. I would say that the beginning and ending of the film are brilliant but that halfway through the film does become very leisurely paced, only a minor niggle though. There's a level of suspense and eerie atmosphere that is sustained up until the devastating climax.
My one criticism would be the special effects, which are not up to Hammer's usual calibre, due no doubt to the low budget. While adequate, they could have been so much more. The decaying insects are good but I hated the glowing space ship, the effects were really sub par here. As for the 'flashback' of the alien wars...well, it's basically a bunch of miniature creatures on a stick being waved up and down... you'd see better on Blue Peter. As for the giant devil in the sky at the end, it was pretty mediocre. Good enough to make you think "that looks cool" but bad enough to make you think "that could have been a lot better". However, lots of action, suspense, and typical science fiction elements help to make this cross-genre film a lot better than it might have been. Once again, Hammer deliver the goods!
Andrew Keir takes over the role of Professor Quatermass from Brian Donlevy here, and does a good impression of a kindly, middle aged scientist. I admit I wasn't taken with him at first but his bluff character quickly grows on you. Barbara Shelley is once again impressive in her role as the screaming heroine, and at least she isn't as drippy as some of her counterparts in other Hammer films. She's as attractive as ever and has an intriguing role. James Donald is on hand as a dedicated scientist and is a very likable actor, while Julian Glover perhaps deserves the greatest award for being one of the most slimy and plain stupid army officers that I've ever seen.
QUATERMASS AND THE PIT is an example of Hammer at its finest. The early scenes with the alien aircraft in the pit are very good and the film holds the attention throughout. The scientific jargon used is realistic and considerably adds to the film. I would say that the beginning and ending of the film are brilliant but that halfway through the film does become very leisurely paced, only a minor niggle though. There's a level of suspense and eerie atmosphere that is sustained up until the devastating climax.
My one criticism would be the special effects, which are not up to Hammer's usual calibre, due no doubt to the low budget. While adequate, they could have been so much more. The decaying insects are good but I hated the glowing space ship, the effects were really sub par here. As for the 'flashback' of the alien wars...well, it's basically a bunch of miniature creatures on a stick being waved up and down... you'd see better on Blue Peter. As for the giant devil in the sky at the end, it was pretty mediocre. Good enough to make you think "that looks cool" but bad enough to make you think "that could have been a lot better". However, lots of action, suspense, and typical science fiction elements help to make this cross-genre film a lot better than it might have been. Once again, Hammer deliver the goods!