Reviews (2)

Do Research Before Paying 150.00 For This!!!!!
I've found info on-line stating that Quatermass and the pit / Quatermass 2 is coming back in print on July 27th 2004. Can't say for sure if this info is correct. But you might what to look around before you get taken advantage of.

Finally! Hammer Horror Classics Available...Two for One!!!!
I have been waiting for the re-release of these movies, especially the final movie in the trilogy, Quatermass and the Pit, for a long time. I saw both of these as second billed movies way, way back when I was young......Quatermass 2(called "Enemy From Space" in the U.S.A.), when I was really young, and Quatermass and the Pit (called Five Million Miles to Earth...) when I was a teen. Both movies are super creepy, in the old fashioned sense........not a lot of fantastic special effects, but enough to keep the stories moving along. The effects are certainly powerful though, and really well done considering.........they are a tribute to the incredible talent at work making these films, and they are great examples of Hammer Films at their best. Both are good, well written, original stories, with the emphasis on acting and great directing. It is great storytelling.....and unfortunately some of the last of the great films to come out of Hammer Studios. Standout acting from all involved, and that is the key to believing these stories.......pretty fantastic stories, played straight all the way through. Professor Quatermass is such a great character, with a long history in British film and TV..... and Brian Donlevy in Quatermass 2 and Andrew Kier in Quatermass and the Pit are standouts. Anchor Bay does such a good job with these old film releases.....if you are a Sci-Fi nut, this is certainly a double bill you would be proud to have in your collection. Great job, and thank you Anchor Bay!! Finally!!!
ENJOY!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

"He died in a pub."
In the British comedy, "The Smallest Show on Earth" Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna are teamed together as newlyweds Matt and Jill Spencer. Matt receives news that he's inherited a cinema from his uncle Simon, so the Spencers head off to Sloughborough (the home of a pungent glue factory) to claim the inheritance. The Bijou cinema is a dilapidated place known locally as the fleapit. The Bijou cannot rival Sloughborough's only other cinema--the palatial Grand--in fact the owner of the Grand wants to buy the Bijou and tear it down in order to build a parking lot.

Along with the Bijou, the Spencers also inherit the Bijou's staff--there's old Tom--the janitor and doorman--Mrs. Fazazkalee (Margaret Rutherford), and Percy Quill--the projectionist (Peter Sellers). At first the Spencers hope to sell the Bijou, but when Hardcastle, the owner of the Grand, tries to drive a hard bargain, the Spencers decide to open the Bijou once again.

"The Smallest Show on Earth" is a charming film. The superior cast really makes the film sparkle. Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers were a successful screen team and starred together in "Born Free". Peter Sellers is at his quirky best in the role as the projectionist, and the three elderly Bijou employees enjoy a lively rivalry that they abandon to save the Bijou. Sid James appears in a tiny role, and Leslie Phillips plays local solicitor, Mr. Carter. The Bijou cinema really steals the film. When the Spencers see the cinema, Matt says "my uncle actually charged people to go in there?" Viewers are supposed to see the Bijou as a terrible dump, but the beauty of the crumbling old cinema cannot be diminished. The best scenes occur as films play in the Bijou, and the audiences participate in some quite unique and rather alarming ways. If you are a fan of early British comedy, you will enjoy this film. The quality of the film was excellent--displacedhuman.

A sweet era recalled in humor.
'THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH' may not have been exactly that since there were certainly smaller, but it was a case of a fictional small "electric theatre" (the British way of differentiating a movie theatre from a legitimate theatre or 'music hall,' as they designated their version of the American vaudeville). This delightful British film is as heart warming and sometimes hilarious as the other reviewers here describe, but it is the wonderful interaction between the story, the sets, and the actors that balance the film and make it a classic. This 19th century 'kinema' was styled in the manner of the traditional British 'music hall' of live performers, but held the earliest of projection equipment (hence the double entendre about projectionist Peter Sellers' 'equipment.') Such asides will be over the heads of the kiddies, but the pleasant pacing and careful dialogue of the actors will please the adults for whom this comedy is intended.

The story of a young couple inheriting a cinema and finding that it is not quite the money-maker they imagined would have been prosaic were it not for the clever settings and the three fossils who maintained the old "Bijou" (French for 'jewel'). If it were ever a jewel, it had lost its luster as the years passed and patrons flocked to the newer nearby movie palace, the 'Grand.' Desperate to keep their jobs, the 'fossils' (veteran scene-stealers: Peter Sellers, Margaret Rutherford, and Bernard Miles) took pains to refresh the old place to please new owner Bill Travers, a too seldom used actor of mild presence but uniquely suited to this role. The character of the Bijou's "commissioner" (doorman, janitor, and boiler keeper) Miles in the end tries too hard and creates the only jarring note in the film, which is otherwise tender and memorable. The device of having latter day elevated trains roar past the cinema was inspired and created some memorable scenes, as when the building sways to the slow start up of the train, or when Bill Travers' character is almost rattled off the ladder as he attempts to relight the old roof sign. There are many wonderful sight gags and other fine bits that one will long remember.

For those who also like old theatres, it may be of interest to know that the exterior of the Bijou was actually a set created at the meeting of two existing elevated train bridges on Christchurch Ave. at the Kilburn LT station in London. The interior was a also a set, but so well done that you would swear that you were in a real 19th century 'opera house.' The design is thought to be derived from the real Palace of Varieties at Camberwell. The movie palace with the pipe organ - the Grand -- was actually the Gaumont Palace (later the Odeon, now Apollo) in Hammersmith, London. And the use of the fictional name of "Sloughborough" for the town is another little joke since it means 'low place or mire.' These details can be confirmed in the journal of the British "Cinema Theatre Association's" magazine "PICTURE HOUSE," No. 19, Winter 93-94, pages 37 and 38, (where there are photos in this and the previous issue) furnished to this reviewer courtesy of Mr. Brian J. Hall of England.

One reviewer said that the only flaw was that the story was too short and I must concur in that, and that is the only real flaw I can find in the film as well. There is a difficulty, however, in appreciating the quality of the film from the most common versions of the VHS-NTSC format videos now available. Amazon lists two ASIN numbers of versions made by the same French Canadian firm, Madacy, which produced them in EP speed, rather than the usual SP speed that allows for quality. Since Amazon never indicates the speed of a tape, I cannot tell if their third variation produced by 'VCI Classics (American Prudential)' is also in this slow speed of poor quality. Not only is the image poor, but the sound is downright difficult to understand! Amazon's sister company, The Internet Movie Data Base (www.IMDB.com), now lists two CD versions about to be released, and we can but hope that they were made from restored masters and are the pleasure that the original film is.

P.S.: Two years before the movie "Majestic" (starring Jim Carrey) debuted, the director wrote on the THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S web site that he was searching for information about historic theatres for his forthcoming unnamed movie. This reviewer responded with information and said that the description of it he gave sounded something like "The Smallest Show on Earth." He responded that he was amazed that anyone remembered the 1956 British film, but that it was an inspiration for his movie. Look closely at the lobby in "Majestic" and you will see it clearly resembles that in the 'Bijou,' even if the facades were much different. These films turned out very differently, but at least the architecture rewards lovers of theatres.

lesson in what acting is all about
THE SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH, the Bijou movie house, is well worth watching for its'lesson in what acting is all about. The enigmatic title is the only puzzlement of the movie. Otherwise, you get entertainment the British plain acting way that only the British seem to know how to do it. "Smallest" is a simple, delightful plot of what might go wrong with the best laid plans of inheritance when the legatees need to put an over-the-hill movie house back in business to compete with an up-to-date rival. You are tenderly entertained, then, by the actors Rutherford, Sellers, and Bernard Miles who were former employees and a threesome tossed into the plot as part of the inheritance. Margaret Rutherford was the deceased's "courtesan" ticket-seller bookkeeper who found a way to keep the old theater operating by taking in, as admission ticket "money," chickens, eggs, and such bookkeeping entries. She also is wise to the dipsy sot up there in the projection booth, Peter Sellers. Despite his penchant for booze he manages to make the ancient projectionist equipment function; equipment manufactured and carried over from Tudor times I would guess. Sellers did not cotton well to Margaret Rutherford. His major complaint was her bad behavior, suggesting thus that the new owner ought to not sack her, but could " . . . say something rude and nasty to her." Bernard Miles,urban relative of the village idiot, janitor and doorman aspired to continue working, but only if he could have a u-nee-form; one like the doorman in the competing movie house [with white gloves tucked under the left shouler epaulette, you see]. A good story also includes something inanimate object that actually plays a role. In this production, that "actor" is the thundering Britrail locomotive driven train that rattles the Bijou movie house, projection equipment and moviegoers, hilariously shaken--not stirred. The Bijou itself is a vestigial of Britain's lust for theater complete with organ that played musical strains for the silent movies, and a section in the back where young couples learned some of the facts of life. Theaters like this, originally opera houses and music halls, still exist in the Notting Hill section of London. Besides all of this location nostalgia, the characters are funny . . . gove'ner.

Good movie but beware the inferior print
The one-star rating refers to this particular version. The film itself is a pleasant British comedy about a young couple's adventures with an ancient movie theater and its ancient staff. However, this is an extended-play tape of a bootleg-quality print with inferior picture and sound, and fans of the film will definitely be disappointed by the video presentation.

Smallest Show on Earch well titled
Marginally affecting in a gentle 50's way, but ultimately can't overcome the torpid pacing. A bit too gentle for my tastes. Virginia McKenna is, as always, worth the watching ... Read more

Description

From legendary filmmaker Carol Reed (The Third Man, Odd Man Out, Oliver!) comes this charming fantasy about the power of childhood imagination. Joe is a young boy who lives in a poor section in London. He becomes convinced that through the mythical powers of a unicorn, he can grant the wishes of his mother and friends. Joe searches endlessly and finally discovers his unicorn—which turns out to be just a goat with a misshapen horn. Or is it? A Kid For Two Farthings is a touching film about the power of make believe.
... Read more

Reviews (1)

Classic Carry On's
Carry On Jack (1963) was the series first historical epics and is easily the most forgetable. Its not so much that its a bad film, but whats lacking in this is the true spirit of the Carry On's, probably as there are so many of the regulars missing - theres no Sid James, Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor, Hattie Jaques or Kenneth Connor. Only Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey are the main regulars to be featured in this, though Jim Dale has a cameo role in this who starred in many of the 1960's Carry On's. Bernard Cribbins, who to be fair, blends in with the cast as though he'd always been a regular, plays Albert Poop-Decker, an unlucky man, who after years of struggle, finally wins his commission only to have his identity, rank and uniform stolen from him by Sally (Juliet Mills) who he soon falls in love with. The historical accuracy is impressive with the sets and the costumes but this Carry On film misses its mark slightly though Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey are on fine form throughout. An adequate comedy.

However the real reason to get this DVD (which compensates for the patchy Carry On Jack) is the inclusion of one of the series best and most fondly remembered entries in the series - Carry On Cleo (1964). When the great epic disaster Cleopatra starring Elizabeth Taylor was abandoned from filming at Pinewood Studios, the Carry On team took full advantage of the lavish sets and extravagent costumes, making it all look and seem more expensive than usual. The hopeless Hengist Pod (Kenneth Connor) comes up with the idea of a square wheel to stop carts from rolling downhill - amusing stuff! However he and his neighbour (Jim Dale) are soon captured by invading Romans and are rapidly sold off as slaves. Julius Caesar (a superb comic turn from Kenneth Williams, taking lines such as "oooo I do feel queer" and "Infamy, infamy, they've all got it in for me" to new heights) has caught the flu from Britains damp climate and is unaware that his best general, Mark Antony (Sid James) has joined up with Cleopatra (played beautifully by Amanda Barrie), Queen of Egypt, to overthrow him.
Carry On Cleo is consistently amusing with Kenneth Williams and Sid James putting in one of their finest roles in the series. Charles Hawtrey also crops up hilariously being as overly camp as ever, in the role of Seneca whilst Joan Sims plays Calpurnia, which she plays to perfection as the tempramental, nagging, vase-throwing wife of Julius Caesar and this type of characterisation eratically became something of her trademark in the series. One of the very best in the series and was certainly the finest film they'd made up to this point. Classic British comedy at its very best! ... Read more

Amazon.com

And now for something completely bawdy. Carry on are two words to gladden the hearts of British comedy fans. Thirty-one Carry On films were produced between 1958-1992, and in 1975, Carry On Laughing brought the Carry On mojo to television, albeit for a scant 13 episodes. Each is a randy historical romp or farcical parody. You don't have to be familiar with the films to enjoy this series' extremely guilty pleasures. There are ribald double entendres, shameless mugging, awful puns, and even worse jokes. In one "monarchic moment," one loyal subject tells his Queen, "I will serve you humbly." She responds, "Good, I haven't had humbly in ages." Jokes like that are enough to really make you rue Britannia, but Kenneth Connor, Sid James, Joan Sims, Barbara Windsor, Jack Douglas, Peter Butterworth, and David Lodge make it all sound like Shakespeare. The episodes takes potshots at Upstairs, Downstairs, the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, and other historical and mythical figures. The episode "Under the Round Table" will not make anyone forget Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which came out the same year (oddly enough, both make hay with the horse/coconut thing). Carry On Laughing is more akin to Benny Hill than Beyond the Fringe, but for fans of the films, it is a dandy footnote to the Carry On canon. --Donald Liebenson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

something missing
This is a major disappointment as most of the beloved Carry On gang are missing. Sid James appears five times, Hattie Jacques only once and Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey not at all. Laughs are scarce and it's easy to see why this series was short lived.

pretty good
This is a set of twelve half hour British television episodes. They satirize several periods of English history and the Lord Peter Wimsey novels. To get the most fun from the program you will need to know the details of the historical and fictional situations that are satirized.

The cast also appeared in the highly successful Carry On movie series some of which can be purchased here at Amazon.com. ... Read more

Description

In 1939, novelist Pietro di Donato wrote an incendiary novel called Christ in Concrete, a bestseller and Book of the Month selection about Italian-American immigrants working the construction trade in New York at the onset of the Great Depression. This work of hard-edged social criticism, filled with closely observed naturalist detail and gifted poetry, was turned into an extraordinary motion picture in 1949 by blacklisted filmmaker Edward Dmytryk. Part neorealist, part melodrama, part film noir, it won top awards at festival across Europe but was all but banned in the United States. Also known as Give Us This Day and Salt to the Devil, Christ in Concrete was suppressed, lost, and almost forgotten, but it remained Dmytryk's personal favorite and became a holy grail to dedicated film fans. Now with the participation of the di Donato family, this vital film is back in this deluxe DVD edition! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A King in New York
A King in New York, Charlie Chaplin's penultimate film--featuring his final starring performance--was made in 1957 but wasn't officially released in America until the '70s, when it, surprisingly enough, won an Oscar for Chaplin's score. What took so long? Thanks to his politics and unorthodox personal life, Chaplin was pretty roundly hated by the late '50s, but had the movie been better, someone might've brought it stateside sooner. Chaplin plays King Shahdov of Estrovia, on the lam when revolution grips his homeland. In New York, despite the occasional indignity, he's treated as royalty until he takes a stand against the commie-hunters, a plotline that hit way too close to home at the time (Chaplin, remember, was ahead of everyone in attacking Hitler when he made The Great Dictator). There's one inspired bit, as Shahdov orders dinner over the din of a supper club, but overall, the satire is strident, and Chaplin's takes on such things as technology and pop music make him look decidedly like an old fogey. --David Kronke

A Woman of Paris
At the height of his popularity, Charlie Chaplin chose to make a straight dramatic feature--without himself in a starring role. The plot of A Woman of Paris is perhaps not new:after a tragic misunderstanding, a small-town girl (former Chaplin paramour and longtime co-star Edna Purviance) goes to Paris and becomes the mistress of a rich playboy (Adolphe Menjou). But if the outline is familiar melodrama, the film still looks remarkable for its measured, adult attitude toward its characters; they are not black or white, but complicated, sophisticated shades of gray. Menjou, in particular, is a charming and thoroughly delightful cad. The film's matter-of-fact spirit on the subject of how adults conduct their sexual lives is also impressive. Critics loved the picture, but audiences did not, and Chaplin soon returned to comedy. He can be glimpsed, disguised, in a one-scene walk-through as a clumsy train porter. --Robert Horton ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A Chaplin Comedy-Drama
I have the honor of owning this film. Chaplin as King Shavow may be serious, but like in all his films, their is a little humor in him. His son Michael's preformace as Rupurt is unforgetable. his speech to the Atomic Commission is closely silmiar to Chaplin's specch in Monsuier Verdoux in 1947. To think it wasn't released until 1975. two years before his death

Great film, and an okish film,
This Part of the Chaplin DVD collection, is worthwile. It has two films. "A Woman of Paris" and "A King in New York". The earliest movie is the reason why you will want this, while the later movie is only ok, its more for die-hard fans of Chaplin(which I admit, I am). So as for my reviews of the two movies.....

"A Woman of Paris", released in 1923, is a film which Chaplin does not appear in. Unless of course you include the cameo appearance, lasting maybe 2 seconds. A lot of people dislike this movie, because when they see a Chaplin movie, they want to actually SEE him. Either way, it does not bother me. I think Chaplin was the greatest of all film makers, and I dont really care whether you see him, or you dont. I enjoy his work as simply a director. This is a truly underrated masterpiece (yes, masterpiece), which has some fine acting. The two stars are Edna Purviance and Adolphe Menjou. The film was ideally supposed to launch Edna Purviance's career as a serious actress, but it didnt do much for her, since nobody really went to see this movie upon its release. Although I believe the critics loved it. Its actually somewhat of a favourite among Chaplin's films, and he was just so brilliant behind the camera. At whatever he did, he was great. If you only want to see Chaplin films with him in, then this one is not for you. This one for me would get 5 stars.

Now for "A King in New York" from 1957. I do not rate this film highly. Its one that some will enjoy, and some wont enjoy. I did enjoy it, but after seeing Chaplins other work, you cant help but notice how much more poor this is compared to others. A really bad idea would be to watch "City Light's" and then right after, watch this. You will REALLY see the difference in his work through the years. I dont particularly think much to some of Chaplins talking pictures, although I loved "Monsieur Verdoux". As for this film itself, I guess the highlights come from Chaplins son, Michael. Hes maybe the funniest thing in this movie. His fast talking, cleverness about things that should only really be concerning adults is the thing that makes the comedy in this one. Chaplin IS funny in this one also, but his silent film days are completely lost here. I guess in some ways, this is a film Chaplin fans should see, and if you are completists (like moi) then you will want to own. Only 3 stars for this one.

The DVDs are decent. Like the others in the Chaplin Collection, these include the usual featurettes, and what ever else you get on them. "A Woman of Paris" has a decent little extra, a film called "Camille" which Chaplin is in, along with a load of other top named people, like Ethel Barrymore, Paul Robeson etc. This is not a masterpiece film, its just an interesting extra to the DVD. The prints on both "A Woman of Paris" and "A King in New Yourk" and great, and this is a good way to see them.

Uneven, but still a fine satire from Chaplin
"A King in New York" is a flawed film, but reflects the insanity of the 1950's Communist witch-hunts.

It's an odd film, though. It's a parody of 1950's America MADE in the 1950's. A lot of the gags (especially the CinemaScope parody) are great, though.

I think the main problem with the film has to do with it being a little bit long-winded in parts and too much plot fortification. Most of Chaplin's films only needed a tiny bit of a plot to be great. Overall, watch with an open mind and enjoy the very accurate parodies on the 50's.

Chaplin Fans -- Stay Away
This is a sad excuse for a comedy from a once-great filmmaker. Fans of Charlie Chaplin can only be saddened and depressed by this lugubrious waste of time. Chaplin vents his spleen at the U.S. (justifiably so), but his satire is ineffective and the slapstick just doesn't work.

There is a second film on this DVD, but "A Woman of Paris," while a wonderful film, is not a Chaplin comedy (he only makes a brief cameo appearance and if you don't know it's him you'll miss him completely), and needs to be seen on a big screen to do it justice. So I can't honestly recommend this DVD for most people. This is only for rabid Chaplin completists who must have everything he ever made. For the rest of us, go out and buy "City Lights" or "Modern Times" instead, and see Chaplin at his best and in his prime.

Chaplin was way ahead of his time in film and America
What I find amazing is that even in the year 2001 people are so brain-washed by our corporate media that they can complain about Chaplin's bashing the McArthy era. This embarassing chapter in America's history (up there with slavery, the "Jim Crow" south, and Japanese internment camps of WW2) was responsible for thousands of Hollywood job losses, the imprisonment of the great writer Ring Lardner, the expatriation of Chaplin, Paul Robeson, et al.

And all of this for a ridiculous "witch hunt" by some sanctimonious & hypocritical power-hungry politicians; with trumped up hearings gathered together faster than you can say "Monica." Well eventually it ended up backfiring on the anti-commie crowd of course, although I guess sure helped Ronald Reagan to be president of the Screen Actors Guild, then CA, and the White House weren't far behind (easy when you sell out enough I guess).

But gee, since Chaplin was up against these zealots (who are the real "anti-American" ones if people actually knew their history), I suppose we should be able to forgive Chaplin for not being so subtle in "A King in New York!" ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Excellent Paranoid Science Fiction from Hammer
One of Hammer's relatively few sci-fi thrillers, and a sequel to the Quatermass Xperiment, this film is a minor classic of cold chilling paranoia. Adapted by Nigel Kneale from his classic BBC serial, this film has a basic premise similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but taken into very different directions. Not to give too much away, but the joy of this film is not in watching the alien plot to take over earth unfold, it's in watching Professor Quatermass uncover the already widespread conspiracy. Photographed in beautifully stark monochrome with a great pseudodocumentary approach, Quatermass 2 is a great example of the sort of sci-fi/horror hybrid that became popular later with films like Alien and, along with the other two films in the series and the sadly unavailable The Damned, one of Hammer's best attempts at science fiction.

If ever a Movie deserved a Remake...This is it!
Quatermass 2 (pronounced like equator and not quarter) is utterly flawless. This DVD B/W film is superbly vibrant and crisp. The dialogue however seems to drown on occassion while conversely the accent music will send you seeking a lower setting on the volume control. This was one of the scariest movies I can remember from my youth when it was titled "Enemy from Space", and believe it or not, it still maintains some of its punch.

The movie starts with Quatermass avoiding a car accident with a young couple, one of which is delirious with a strange V-shaped blister on his face. Quatermass, averting the accident, lends his assistance. In trying to ascertain the delirium of the man, the women tells Quatermass they heard "falling" sounds. She gives him a medium size rock she says her friend was investigating when it exploded in his face. The name of a town where the blister was received is mentioned.

Quatermass is a rocket scientist with a government grant-supported research facility to build a rocket to colonize other planets. Unfortunately he has chosen nuclear propulsion to power the untested rocket. The idea of a mishap during launch or recovery has caused the government to withdraw support of his project.

Upon his return to his facility, Quatermass notices that his radar dish is pointed abnormally low to the ground. Quatermass indignantly chastises his top two scientists for the low radar dish and gives them the broken rock from the accident for classification. The scientist do not get to explain that have been tracking a continuous cascade of objects to the earth about 90 mile away. Quatermass, realizing his anger is over his concerned for the lack of funding for the project apologizes and moans over a 3D model of a colonization facility envisioned for the moon. The fellow scientist are informed of the lack of future funding as Quatermass leaves to confer with his nuclear engineers at the nearby launch pad.

The next day, when Quatermass returns, another scientist questions him about the rock. He tells him he cannot classify it and that it is cylindrical in shape both inside and out. When asked where he got it from, they are informed of Quatermass' near accident. When the name of the town is mentioned the scientists realize that this is the approximate landing location of the tracked falling objects. They check a map and Quatermass and one of the scientist travel to the area the next day.

Upon arrival at the area the road forks into two directions. The fork to the map-indicated town is government-posted as NO ENTRY so they take the other fork which leads to an abrupt end of the concrete roadway. Getting out of the car, Quatermass warns his young assistant not to walk beyond the concrete for fear of government placed security mines. They get back into the car and to go back to the other fork. As they leave the scene, in the distance, armed uniformed personnel wearing gas masks emerge from the surrounding foilage.

Disregarding the government postings, they take the other fork. On a high ridge, Quatermass gasps. His assistant peers through Quatermass' window and says "Oh no!". In the distance is a fully functional replica of their 3D moon colonization facility, two miles square, surrounded by security fencing with three overpowering pressurized domes about 200 feet high. They get out seeing ruins they surmise must be the missing town. They also discover small rocks like the one given Quatermass scattered all over the hillside. Some of the "rocks" are old, some recent and all broken except one buried in the ground. The assistant digs it up as Quatermass protests to "leave it alone".....In the distance the loud echo of a siren begins

Its not my intention to narrate the complete story but as you can see, the plot compounds marvelously. The backgrounds are time-neutral, even the characters suits are even back in style. Vehicles are vintage and could be considered old, but current. Scenes (in London particularly) are somewhat devoid of anachronisms so much that if this film were colorized you could almost imagine a CG team cleaning up those period giveaways and updating this original film. But what the hey, this is truly a classic and if ever a movie deserved a remake, this is it. You could say, this is not rocket science.

This is Hammer?
I couldn't even get past the first half hour of this movie before turning it off ... deeply disapponted. It looks like bad 50's American sci-fi, it's hard to believe that this is a Hammer film. Buy this film if you like "The day the Earth Stood Still" or other cheese like that.

Overrated
I got this video after reading the various viewer responses and found it tedious. Britain has provided us with some terrific Sci-fi movies despite low budgets, but this one has all the tension of an uncooked sausage and generally looks pretty silly - the costumes are dated, the characters cliched, and the "monster" is too silly for words. I place this film right down there with the worst of American 50's black lagoons!

As dull as it gets
I love old movies--gothic, sci. fi.--you name it. But I was very disappointed in this one. I could just go on and on, but suffice it to say that except for the crisp b&w filmography this movie has no (zero) redeeming qualities about it whatsoever. It's not even "funny bad." I wish I could give zero stars, but one is as low as it is allowed to go. How sad. ... Read more