Film 43/52: The Quatermass Xperiment (1955)

Once again we surprisingly found ourselves with a number of 'Q' options to choose from, and this time out I decided to finally check out the acclaimed Hammer film, The Quatermass Xperiment (renamed The Creeping Unknown in the US).

The film features Brian Donlevy in the title role of Professor Quatermass, who arrives at the scene of a rocket crash in a field outside London to check on the crew of the mission to space he was responsible for. Now, I'm not sure what the first film was to feature a rocket ship stuck in the surface of a planet after a crash landing, but by 1955, I'm wondering if this is one of the last. The visual is one of very few things about the film that seems silly to a modern audience (they sure made rockets hardier in those days!), second only to the classic missing bodies that leave their empty clothes behind. 

Two of the three astronauts have disappeared (clothes notwithstanding), and the third, Victor Carroon (Richard Wordsworth), who slowly begins to mutate while under evaluation. Quatermass determines that some creature from outer space is responsible, but Carroon's wife, not realizing this, helps him escape from the hospital only to have him run off without her. As he continues to mutate, he leaves a trail of corpses in his path (not to mention a trail of slime!). Quatermass realizes that it's only time before this new creature releases spores and takes over the Earth, so it must be found and stopped!

The final confrontation in Westminster Abbey, and the final form the creature takes, is pretty darn cool. I won't spoil it by posting a picture here, as a still wouldn't do it justice, and a GIF would spoil the surprise. Had I realized that the film was more of a monster movie than a cerebral science-fiction film (and such an amazing, original looking monster in its final scenes), I would have showcased it on the big screen ages ago. Growing up, I had only seen stills that featured an odd-looking Victor Carroon, which doesn't set you up for what's ultimately in store for the viewer.

Donlevy's Quatermass is a gruff but fascinating character. Created by writer Nigel Kneale (originally for a series of British television serials subsequently adapted to films), and brought to life here by Hammer producer Anthony Hinds and director Val (The Day the Earth Caught Fire) Guest. Watch for Gordon Jackson (MacDonald from The Great Escape) who turns up as a BBC producer! I had seen the two Hammer sequels, the Invasion of the Body Snatchers-like Quatermass II, and Quatermass and the Pit (where Andrew Kier takes over the title role), but somehow managed to pass this one by for far too long. 

I'm now looking forward to revisiting those films, and also picking up an import DVD of the original television serials for comparison. Definitely one of the highlights of our 52 Pick-Up series!


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