Quatermass and the Final Journey
Nigel Kneale, founding father of British television science-fiction and legendary Hammer Films screenwriter, passed away last Sunday at age 84. Kneale was best known for his character, Professor Bernard Quatermass, fearless alien fighter, protecting the earth from scourges like these über-creepy Martian grasshoppers discovered in a spaceship buried below the London Underground, in the Hammer classic, Quatermass and the Pit (AKA: 5 Million Years to Earth). Rest in Peace, Mr. Kneale, and thank you for all the sleepless nights your films gave me as a kid.
[via Things Magazine]
Comments
Love that old stuff.
Today's stuff is way to perfect with all that CGI. I think it's good (for kids) to see that there are wires and rubber puppets.
The horror is in the mind anyway.
Posted by: orangeguru | November 4, 2006 12:34 PM
The horror is in the mind anyway.
In "Quatermass and the Pit" that's definitely true.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | November 4, 2006 4:39 PM
That movie digs deeper than any sci-fi movie has a right to.
I think I'm about due for another viewing.
Did you ever read Greil Marcus' delirious description of it in "Lipstick Traces"? It's all Greil Marcus-y, but amusing (and a little inaccurate).
Posted by: M.Ace | November 5, 2006 1:38 PM
Indeed...on both counts. Kneale was way ahead of his time.
Missed the Marcus description. I'm having fun imagining the Lester Bangs review though.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | November 5, 2006 2:02 PM
I love Kneale, and "Quatermass and the Pit" is easily one of my favorite movies. Who wouldn't love evil Martian grasshoppers?
Posted by: Stacia | November 6, 2006 12:39 AM