Review of 'Quatermass and the Pit'

When constructing a new tube line workers find bodies buried in the London clay. Digging further they discover what is first thought to be a second world war bomb but turns out to be a spacecraft that has an odd effect on those that come in contact with it. As the military headed by obstinate Colonel Breen (Julian Glover) steps in to take over from palaeontologist Dr Matthew Roney (James Donald), he calls on his friend Professor Bernard Quatermass (Andrew Keir) of the British Rocket Group to see what he can do to protect this important find. This is met with limited extent as the true power of the artefact they have found is revealed…

This is a surprisingly good film from Hammer Pictures that does not quite live up to the advertising for the film but offers more of an intellectual story with a disturbing puzzle for Quatermass to solve. As is common with the Quatermass series explanations quickly go to the supernatural/alien though perhaps too quickly. The acting and effects look surprisingly good. Interesting to see an older view of London which is portrayed very realistically with what looks like a healthy filming budget.

Though perhaps not a massively shocking ending and a fairly thin plot the Pit is a bit of a slow burner and is quite entertaining.

Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2022-07-02

Directed by: Roy Ward Baker

Studio: Hammer Films

Year: 1967

Length: 97 minutes

Genre: Science Fiction

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062168/