Classic Movies - Quatermass and the Pit

Also know as Five Million Years to Earth, this 1967 sci-fi horror is undeniably a fantastic cult movie that is reminiscent of Lovecraftian tales; secret origins of man, mysteries of space and the unexplained. So why have only just watched it recently? I wish I was this much of a cinephile when I was younger. This movie has something that I have found lacking in some of the more recent sci-fi horrors, that something is good writing and an actual unnerving tension. So, if you want a break from the new movies that are spiritual repeats of the older goodies. Watch Quatermass and the Pit. (I'm thinking I should watch both Quatermass Experiment movies later on)

The basic plot, without divulging spoilers for a movie that is 50 this year. Here we go. During the time that the London government were digging an extension for the well know underground, a team of 'excavators' discover human remains in the walls; human remains that look a little less current-day human. This calls for a paleontologist! Dr Matthew Roney (James Donald), with science and theory, he works out that these fossils are from a group of apemen that are over five million years old. These are more ancient that any other discovery in modern history, however, through more digging Dr Roney's associates find a metallic object and presume that is may just be an un-exploded bomb.

The bomb disposal team digs further to discover the 'bomb' is bigger than they first thought. They call the aid of Colonel Breen (Julian Glover) followed by an already dismayed Professor Quatermass (Andrew Keir). The Professor annoyed due to a prior conversation with the Colonel where he learned that his plans for colonizing the moon have been taken over by the military. Breen is called for assistance with the bomb and Quatermass is quick to follow. Breen believes it to be a V Weapon (German long range missiles during WW2) and Quatermass disagrees. A new skeleton is found in an inner chamber. Both Quatermass and Roney realize that this object must be as old as the apeman remains, Quatermass leads himself to believe that it is of alien origin but Roney is still certain the remains are terrestrial.

Interesting, right? Of course, if you want to know I advise you find the movie, sit down and watch it.