Quatermass And The Pit Blu

   One thing that Hammer's Quatermass and the Pit (U.S. 5 Million Years to Earth 1967) cannot be accused of is not having enough ideas to flesh out its plot. A heady mix of gothic horror, sci fi , martians and the occult, with the whole moving along at at breathless pace. A superb example of England's Hammer studio at the height of their powers during their "second wind" of the mid to late sixties. With a great cast cast including Andrew Keir , Barbara Shelly (who were both earlier in Dracula Prince of Darkness - also to be released on blu-ray in a short while), James Donald (The Great Escape) and Julian Glover (Indiana Jones & The Last crusade).

   Recently released on blu-ray in England by Studio Canal, this looks beautiful.  The almost luminous greens of the martian "locusts" and the simmering purples of the sealed chamber of the spacecraft are something to behold. Along with beautiful grain and flesh tones this is a great disc and sure excuse to get a region free player (as its B locked). Included is the commentsary with screenwriter Nigel Kneale and director Roy Ward Baker  held over from the old Anchor bay DVD plus interviews with Julian Glover, Mark Gatiss, Judith Kerr, Kim Newman, Marcus Hearn and Joe Dante. Last but certainly not least the gorgeous Barbara Shelly in hi def is definite plus.

Here's a neat shot of Barbara the set