Anoraks Assemble

Quatermass and the Pit is a 1967 Hammer film which is based on the 1958 BBC drama of the same name.

Written by Nigel Kneale, the plot revolves around building work taking place to extend part of the London Underground, and the discovery of what appears to be human remains. Nearby lies a metallic object which the military think is an unexploded bomb left over from the Blitz.

But could it be something else?

What then follows is a glorious mixture of ghosts, psychic ability and, most shockingly, Martian invasion, all tied up beautifully in Kneale’s evocative tale.

Quatermass eventually surmises that humans are descended from Martians, which culminates in quite shocking scenes when Londoners go on the rampage, attacking those they perceive as being “different”.

If this sounds like an allegory to racial tension then it is a correct assumption. Nigel Kneale admitted he was influenced by emerging racial tensions of the period, and the Notting Hill race riots in 1955.

Once again, science-fiction is the perfect vehicle for holding up a mirror and reflecting society’s failings.

The casting is uniformly excellent. Andrew Keir is wonderful as Quatermass, a great improvement, in my opinion, on Brian Donlevy, who I was never a massive fan of. James Donald and horror legend Barbara Shelley both provide excellent support, and Julian Glover is suitably boo hiss, as bad guy Colonel Breen.

I bloody love this film so much. It is my favourite Hammer film and one of my all-time favourite films full stop. And I believe it cements Nigel Kneale’s reputation as one of the greatest writers of all time.