The Quatermass Experiment
by Val Guest
Our Price: $173.99
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Brian Donlevy, Gordon Jackson, Jack Warner, Margia Dean, Thora HirdDirector: Val Guest
Cinematographer: Walter J. Harvey
Writer: Val Guest
Editor: James Needs
Producer: Anthony Hinds
Producer: Robert L. Lippert
Writer: Nigel Kneale
Writer: Richard H. Landau
DVD: Region Code 2
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: PAL
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 78 minutes
Audience Rating: Unrated
Movie Reviews of The Quatermass Experiment
Movie Review: A Successful Xperiment
Summary: 4 Stars
Although generally regarded as Hammer's first foray into the realm of science-fiction, two previous films THE FOUR SIDED TRIANGLE and SPACEWAYS had suggested with their overall ineptitude that genre films were perhaps something Hammer should steer clear of. But in re-making a BBC TV serial for the big screen Hammer had an ace up their sleeve and an audience ready made for the big screen adventures of Prof. Bernard Quatermass. Despite the terrible miscasting of Brian Donlevy as Quatermass, the film succeeds admirably. It still feels odd to watch a Hammer film in Black and White, but this adds to the documentary like quality that veteran director Val Guest was seeking (to aid this attempt at verisimilitude, we also have newspaper headlines and on a few occasions some hand-held camera work - very rare for 1955). With its dedication to actual scientific concepts and well written and researched source material by Nigel Kneale (a writer who is criminally under-rated) THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT retains a topical feel. In Quatermass' constant clashes with authority, Kneale threads in a number of critiques about modern society and its absurd predilection for red tape and bureaucracy. Despite these and other things, when reduced to its basic narrative, this film is an exploration of possession and feeds into the same paranoid fears that Don Siegel exposed so well with INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. Gothic elements abound also, with the eerie isolated location that opens the film and the idea of double or multiple identities. Sadly Kneale over-emphasises Britain's importance in the world and the idea of the United Kingdom being the first country to send manned rockets into space is rather quaint and somewhat amusing. Donlevy's boorish and arrogant Quatermass is balanced well with the genuinely moving and upsetting performance by Richard Wordsworth as the invaded astronaut Caroon. For pure atmosphere and tension this remains a high watermark for Hammer, only bettered perhaps by the sequel QUATERMASS 2.
Similar DVD Movies
Roger Corman's Cult Classics Triple Feature (Attack of the Crab Monsters / War of the Satellites / Not of This Earth)VIS; Release date: 2011-01-18; DVD
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops:
The Creeping FleshSony; Release date: 2004-06-08; DVD
Best price: $8.95
Price in other shops:
The Crawling Eye (Widescreen European Edition)Image Entertainment; Release date: 2001-12-04; DVD
Best price: $2.11
Price in other shops:
KronosImage Entertainment; Release date: 2000-08-22; DVD
Best price: $5.11
Price in other shops:
X The UnknownRelease date: 2008-11-24; DVD
Best price: $19.97
Quatermass & The PitRelease date: 1998-10-21; DVD
Best price: $150.00
Curse of the Demon / Night of the DemonANDREWS,DANA; Release date: 2002-08-13; DVD
Best price: $8.60
Price in other shops:
Quatermass and The Pit - The Classic 1958-59 BBC Television Version Starring Andre MorellRelease date: 2010-02-16; DVD
Best price: $15.99
QuatermassA and E Home Video; Release date: 2005-04-26; DVD
Best price: $12.96
Price in other shops:
Quatermass 2Release date: 2008-12-05; DVD
Best price: $17.99
Price in other shops: