The Quatermass Collection: The Quatermass Experiment / Quatermass 2 / Quatermass & the Pit [DVD]

These are the television series that gripped a generation - or would have if we'd all had a telly. Millions watched, tormented by the need to know what happened next. There were no other TV stations to distract or compete. There was only the BBC and they only had one station and were, themselves still learning how to make good programmes for the small screen. Then Nigel Kneal (writer) and Rudolph Cartier (producer) came along and showed how it could be done: how to get a lot of image onto the small television screens of the 1950s, how to get an audience hooked and eager to tune in again for the next episode, how to tap into an audience's imagination and set it a-going.

These DVDs were delivered only a couple of days ago and I've watched them all twice so far. It's very rare that I will watch a modern film through twice within a few days. What makes this old Quatermass series so compelling? It's not just nostalgia (though that plays a part). I believe it's the way they force you to use your imagination. Fans of the modern films that employ all sorts of computer generated tricks and have access to enormous budgets may not appreciate this. After all, it's all in black and white and the special effects, although ingenious, might seem crude by today's standards. The acting, at least from the main characters is pretty good - if a bit melodramatic. The picture and sound quality of 'Quatermass II' and 'Quatermass and the Pit' are fairly good, but only two episodes of the first series, 'The Quatermass Experiment' still exist and some of the images are showing their age (and you may find that you're glad of the subtitle facility when watching those two episodes first time). It was a good idea to include the scripts of the missing episodes, but they are photocopied from old type-written documents, about 40 pages each missing episode - you'd need to be a very determined fan to attempt to decipher them.

Despite the disadvantages, these three Quatermass series still make a wonderful viewing experience. The limitations of the technology actually help by requiring the audience to use their imagination. The human imagination is exponentially more powerful than any CGI special effects. In the time before brilliant special effects, the filmmakers colluded with the viewers to ratchet up the fear and tension using the viewers' imagination as the seed bed to grow suspense, excitement, awe. I enjoy modern films and the special effects impress me, but once the film maker has shown me everything, leaving my imagination more or less redundant, there's no reason to watch the film again very soon. But shows like these, that don't reveal everything, make it possible for you to form your own image of the monster/scene/action, and thereby engaged you at a deeper level, so the programmes can grip you again and again as your imagination reawakens the old monster and adds to it. That's how the Quatermass series works for me. They feed the parts of my mind that the clever, modern films don't reach.

I recommend these series to all whose imagination is in good working order.

This marvellous box set brings together all of the existing episodes of the BBCs deservedly lauded 50s phenomenon. The two existing parts of "The Quatermass Experiment" (1953) allow us a rare glimpse of how a BBC drama of the period of British TV's first explosion in ownership was staged. This serial gripped the viewers and it's easy to see why as it's totally unlike anything else aired up to this point. Reginald Tate makes a comelling Quatermass and it's a shame that the rest was never recorded for posterity. All three serials were broadcast live, with filmed inserts used where necessary.

Quatermass II (1955) takes advantage of a further two years of technological development in TV and is a more accomplished production than the first, with ambitious and effective location filming and pioneering visual effects work from Jack Kine and Bernard Wilkie. Quatermass himself is less memorable, played this time by John Robinson, who was drafted in at short notice after the sad death of Reginald Tate during the serial's pre-production. There are strong turns from Hugh Griffith and future Master, Roger Delgado. The story is an exceptionally strong one, with Quatermass dealing with aliens who have already landed and begun to infiltrate humanity - a clasic 50s scenario.

The last of the three serials is also the best. "Quatermass and the Pit" certainly does not disappoint both in terms of story and production, which for the time was lavish and extremely imaginative. Quatermass is this time played by Andre Morell, who could have been made for the part, and he is given excellent support by Cec Linder, Anthony Bushell, John Stratton and Christine Finn.

All of these stories, particularly the last, benefit greatly from a superb restoration job undertaken as a labour of love by the BBC's Dr. Who Restoration Team. The films have been lovingly cleaned, sound significantly sharpened and the film prints of "The Pit" have also been put through the VidFIRE process, which restores their original appearance as live video transmissions. The film sequences are of particular note, with many being sourced from the original 35mm prints.

This DVD set is a must for fans of the science fiction genre and of classic tv drama in general and if you have any interest in eother of these you won't be disappointed. Last, but not least, the discs are accompanied by an exhaustively researched booklet courtesy of walking TV encylopedia Andrew Pixley. This covers anything you'd want to know about the three serials.

At last, BBC have finally released on DVD good old Quatermass in its entirety. Er, well at least the first two episodes of Quatermass Experiment are there anyway. I dont think any member of the public have seen these before, so they are more than welcome. Moreover, Quatermass II and Quatermass and The Pit are shown in full glorious black and white, all six episodes uncut with cliffhangers and end credits. First things first. The Quatermass Experiment, a pioneering broadcast for its time was probably not actually seen by many viewers in 1953, since few homes actually had television. Still, worth seeing because BBC were the masters at drama in those days on limited budgets. At the time, it was a taste of things to come. I woner how many people who were around at that time actually thought that in their lifetime they would be able to receive 500 channels which is possible nowadays.
Quatermass II is my personal favourite. It was a drama for its time. The Communist Witch Hunt was at its height; secrecy abounded in Whitehall, Government projects were springing up with hardly anyone noticing. A Food processing Plant has been developed amidst great secrecy which Quatermass stumbles across accidentally. Turns out that something rather nasty is being developed instead. It becomes a race against time before that something nasty conquers the Earth. The drama over six episodes never lets up once. A great cast led by John Robinson as Quatermass ably supported by Hugh Griffith and Monica Grey moved the action along to its brilliant climax which was an achievement for its time. The sound is very good, picture is soft focus which does enhance the menacing atmosphere however. Alright, some of the model shots are plainly obvious, but the locations are great. The best episode for me is The Frenzy. The shot of the dome exploding with clouds of poison gas drifting across the Plant is very haunting even today. The final scenes on the asteroid are wonderfully done. A classic indeed.
Quatermass and The Pit is probably the best remembered by those in their 50s and older. Released in an edited version on video during 1987, this new version has all the edited sequences restored. Something unusual has been discovered on a building site in Knightsbridge. Quatermass investigates along with ice cold small minded Colonel Breen, and then all hell breaks loose. The thrilling climax is a joy to watch. As for the new version, new soundtracks have been added, and the picture overall has been digitally remastered to give a much cleaner look. The missing scenes certainly enhance the action, and makes wonderful viewing not only for those who recall the original transmission during the winter of 1958-1959, but also a new generation of sci-fi fans. Some may find it a bit too talky and thoughtful. But one cannot deny that certain scenes stay in the mind. The sapper who saw a ghost walk through the wall, the visit to the haunted house, the drill operator fleeing from a visual nightmare of ancient Mars which is one of the highlights of the series, and of course, the final scenes of Hob hovering above a blazing London turning it into a Martian Colony after 5 million years.
The BBC Restoration Team must be congratulated for such a great effort in producing this very fine box set. And to make it even better, a booklet has been provided with lots of information which many Television and Film Buffs will find absorbing indeed.
A great buy.