For some backstory on Professor Bernard Quatermass, read about Quatermass and the Pit (#222). This is the first of two films starring Brian Donlevy as Quatermass, and the two are so close in quality the sequel is only ten places away. Like Village of the Damned, this is a swiftly told, very British, supernatural mystery. Like a good episode of Doctor Who, the script keeps moving between moments of suspense, philosophy and adventure, hampered by a budget that doesn’t allow for payoffs that match the amount of intrigue in the build-up.
Brian Donlevy is often mentioned as being wrong for Quatermass. He’s better here than in the sequel, where he completely disconnected. Unable to shake off his typical jerk persona, it’s interesting to have the lead be such a bullheaded American. (And he’s always right, which makes him angrily smug as well.) At least he can act. The female lead is horrible, and oblivious to her husband’s obvious zombie-like behavior.
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