Home
search
more | tips
SHOP QUATERMASS...
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Amazon.fr
IMDb > Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
Quatermass and the Pit
[Add to My Movies]
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglinestrailers and videospostersphoto gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Quatermass and the Pit (1967)

advertisement
Register or login to rate this title
User Rating: 7.4/10 (1,943 votes)
Photos (see all 13 | slideshow) Videos

Overview

Director:
Roy Ward Baker
Writer:
Nigel Kneale (original story and screenplay)
Release Date:
16 February 1968 (USA) more view trailer
Genre:
Sci-Fi | Horror more
Tagline:
All Earth Stands Helpless! Spawned in the depths of outer space -- a monster so horrible, so vicious, so incredible -- even when you see it you won't believe it could be! (U.S. poster) more
Plot:
An ancient Martian spaceship is unearthed in London, and proves to have powerful psychic effects on the people around. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
Brilliant Sci-Fi horror that will mesmerise and get you thinking! more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
James Donald ... Dr. Mathew Roney
Andrew Keir ... Prof. Bernard Quatermass
Barbara Shelley ... Barbara Judd
Julian Glover ... Colonel Breen
Duncan Lamont ... Sladden
Bryan Marshall ... Captain Potter
Peter Copley ... Howell
Edwin Richfield ... Minister
Grant Taylor ... Police Sergeant Ellis
Maurice Good ... Sergeant Cleghorn
Robert Morris ... Jerry Watson
Sheila Steafel ... Journalist
Hugh Futcher ... Sapper West
Hugh Morton ... Elderly Journalist
Thomas Heathcote ... Vicar
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Five Million Years to Earth (USA)
The Mind Benders
more
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound Recording)
Filming Locations:
London, England, UK more
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 12% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Noel Howlett played the role of the vicar in the original BBC TV serial. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: A pattern of seven circles with hexagonal symmetry is twice described as a pentacle. more
Quotes:
Sladden: [Preparing his drill] I did steel armour plating within six inches thick. Swish - just like that. Oh, it was legal. A bloke got shut in a strong room. But I got him out. It was a secret job like this one.
Col. Breen: Then I'm glad you don't talk about it.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Torchwood: End of Days (#1.13)" (2007) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
14 out of 17 people found the following comment useful:-
Brilliant Sci-Fi horror that will mesmerise and get you thinking!, 29 November 2004
9/10
Author: The_Void from Beverley Hills, England

Quatermass and the Pit is one of the finest of Hammer's vast and largely very fine oeuvre. Strangely, however, when you hear people speak of Hammer horror, this film rarely gets a mention, and that's a great injustice as it easily ranks up there with the best of them. The plot follows a group of construction workers that discover a plot of skeletons while extending London's subway station. This immediately attracts the attention of local scientists Mathew Roney and Barbara Judd, and later the man of the title; Dr Quatermass, who end up facing opposition from both the army and the press while trying to investigate the find. Where did the skeletons come from? How did they get there? And what's the meaning behind that bomb in the tunnel? All these questions and more are answered in Quatermass and the Pit.

As you might expect, the film is very camp. The effects are truly ridiculous and very easy to laugh at; but they add to the fun and charm of the movie. The reason why Hammer Horror films succeed is that, despite being unpleasant at times, it's obvious that they were made with a lot of heart, and the good nature that went into making them always shines through. Unlike many horror (or Sci-Fi) films, however, this one actually bothers to pose some interesting questions and really gets you thinking. The normal idea behind alien based Sci-Fi is completely turned on it's head, and it makes for both an enjoyable and interesting, not to mention original movie. It's quite ingenious, in fact; much more so than many recent 'thought-provoking' movies. There is also quite a lot of the trademark British humour in the film, which is always nice to see. It's obvious that the film is meant to be tongue in cheek anyway, but it's always nice to have a few moments of laughter in there. Quatermass and the Pit is directed by Hammer Horror supremo Roy Ward Baker. When people think of Hammer directors, it's often Terrence Fisher that comes out on top; but Baker is by far my favourite. He's delivered the lovely Asylum, the ingenious Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde, not to mention The Vampire Lovers; and now this. And that's only the ones that I've seen!

Overall, this is an incredible movie. It's generous mix of horror, Sci-Fi and fantasy is truly refreshing and it makes for an interesting and enjoyable ride. I loved every minute of this film, and it easily ranks as one of the best Hammer Horror's that I've seen. Make sure you don't skip this one.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Quatermass and the Pit (1967)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Opening old wounds, but.. EvilCensor
LEAPING LEAPING EVERYWHERE! waya475
The Devil??? will7370
Been looking for this movie forever thorfinn_skullsplitter
What Version ? falseelysium
Re-release? Kiasan
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
The War of the Worlds Stargate 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer Transformers The Quatermass Xperiment
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Sci-Fi section IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.