THE QUATERMASS XPERIMENT (1955) *1/2 Alien life forms reproducing in Westminster Abbey? Shocking! Cautionary tale that astronauts returning from outer space might form a genetic affinity with cactus, play with dolls, visit the zoo after hours, and cause nice little old wino ladies to experience gin goblins. Understated approach to sci-fi deserves points for originality and courage, and is at least equally contrary to historical Hammer dictates. Genre afficianados will note that it took Hollywood's finest only three years to write The Blob after this. Val Guest shoots it smartly, despite what he's sometimes shooting. It's not pretty, watered down from the novel it's not terribly challenging or philosophical, it's almost never funny (Thora Hird is the happy exception), but neither does it fail to impress with a sense of inexorable insatiability with regard to the truths that remain hidden within it.
back to Brilliant Observations on 1776 Films home
go back home, or send me email
no more reviews! I want to buy your novel!