Quatermass Xperiment [VHS]
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VHS Movie Reviews of Quatermass Xperiment [VHS]
Movie Review: Who was really the monster?
Summary: 4 Stars
In this early black and white effort from Hammer, we see a spaceship on its return to Earth. Three men had left on the voyage, but only one is inside when the rocket lands. One man, and a strange, fungus-like residue that may be the remains of the other astronauts.
As the poor survivor starts to mutate, we watch lead scientist Brian Donleavy coldly and remorselessly attempt to solve the problem. Perhaps, considering it was the Cold War, we expected characters to be as hard hearted as Quatermass. On watching the movie now, however, you'll find yourself asking the question "Who was really the monster?". Was it the poor mutating astronaut, or Quatermass?
Donleavy's last line can still send a chill down your back.
Movie Review: Sorry to say It's Not the Pits,
Summary: 1 Stars
I first saw Quartermass and the Pit many years ago and have re-watched it several times since, enjoying it thoroughly. I was unaware that it was part of a series, so when I discovered the Quartermass Xperiment I was excited and expecting another great sci-fi. However I was disappointed. Shot on a very low budget, the Xperiment does not compare with it's successor the Pit. Donlevey's charactor shows no intelligence, scietific or otherwise. Through out the movie I found myself constantly asking time and again, why is his charactor doing this or why isn't he doing that - he's supposed to be a sceintist. Which I guess is what my disappointment with the movie boild down to - the "science" is missing from the "fiction". Additionally, I felt that the plot was thin. Purpose and motive were missing through out. I love and have been collecting movies for over 25 years and have more than 3000 on VHS and DVD in my personal collection. Sadly I can't find anything worth recommending about this one. If you want Quartermass don't Xperiment, get in the Pit.Movie Review: An Amazing Hammer Film
Summary: 5 Stars
"The Quatermass Xperiment" (1955 - 82 minutes), suspense movie of scientific fiction written by Nigel Kneale, Richard Landau and Val Guest and directed by Val Guest, is derived from the television series "Quatermass Xperiment". With six episodes of 30 minutes, it was broadcasted in 1953 and immediately established. This film, photographed in black & white, preserved the quality of the original series and became the first international success of the Hammer Film, the creative English independent producer. The plot tells the story of professor Bernard Quatermass, the man who sent into space the first manned British rocket, and his investigations about the disappearance of two astronauts in its return. Victor Carroon, the only surviving astronaut, was affected by an enigmatic alien organism that caused mysterious alterations in his body, and was slowly possessed by the powerful extraterrestrial force. Transformed into a gigantic hybrid vegetal/animal monster, Carroon was used as a nasty way of Earth invasion and was finally electrocuted in the Abbey of Westminster during a live television transmission.
It's interesting to note that due to the success of this film and the two subsequent productions ["X-The Unknown" and "Quatermass II - Enemy from Space"], the Hammer received the necessary impulse and subsidies to produce the terror movies that made it world-wide famous. Don't miss the opportunity to watch this amazing movie.
Movie Review: The Quatermass Experiment aka THE CREEPING UNKNOWN
Summary: 4 Stars
Fans of Doctor Who, Blake 7, and later BBC ventures will love this older U.K. science fiction. Unfortunately the British were not very good about recording their television programs, or keeping the tapes afterwards, and thus we will not be seeing the televised original for this story. The original live six-part 1953 TV production went some 200 minutes. The Quatermass author, Nigel Kneale, was not too happy about the new version's reduction to 82 minutes. Most who saw the TV version thought that it was superior to the movie. Kneale wrote a number of TV programs that were eventually adapted to film. However, he will always remain famous for Quatermass. The movies would parallel a series of TV productions: Quatermass II (1955) and Quatermass and the Pit (1958-9). Kneale would conclude the series with Quatermass/The Quatermass Conclusion (1979).
The UK theatrical remake of The Quatermass Experiment (1955) was directed by Val Guest and the screenplay was written by Val Guest and Richard Landau. The part of Professor Bernard Quatermass was played by Brian Donlevy. Donlevy was chosen because it was thought an American in the role would give the film more box office appeal in the U.S. However, in hindsight, it was a little like giving the role of Doctor Who to an obvious Texan or person from the Bronx. Sometimes accents are important. Donlevy did a professional job, although a few cast members complained that he had a drinking problem.
The experimental rocket Q1 crashes in England. Quatermass, the somewhat reckless creator of the ship races to the site. Only one of the three astronauts is found alive, Victor Carroon (played by Richard Wordsworth). The other men have vanished.
This mystery drives the first part of the film. Later it becomes clear that Carroon is not only sick but dangerous. Something has come back with him, something that absorbs the flesh of living creatures and appropriates it into itself. The second half of this film is a somewhat typical man turned into monster drama.
It grows and goes on a rampage of destruction. Can it be caught? How will they stop it?
This early Hammer Film, and their first international success, was filmed in black-and-white. While the film has been released as one of MGM's Midnight Movies, it is only available on VHS. This is quite unfortunate given the fact that the later films are available on DVD. However, the transfer to video is excellent.
Would you believe that this film was given a British "X" rating certificate? There are no sexual situations, no romance, and no nudity. The language is fairly tame. Even the supposedly horrific scenes of mayhem from the monster are a mild PG by today's standards.
While it lacks some of the intensity of the later films, it is a good story. I would recommend it for fans of science fiction, British or not.
Movie Review: Good Story & Solid Acting
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a well written story about a space flight gone wrong. It is well acted, the special effects are excellent for their day, and the main character in the story (Quartermass)is a strong and almost hartless man who is driven to achieve his goals no matter what the cost.The supporting characters are good as well, but the mainstay of the movie is the strong story line which flows from event to event almost flawlessly.
An excellent effort for all science fiction fans - especially those who enjoy the older B&W versions of the future of science and space travel.