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A SEMINAL BBC SCI-FI TRILOGY
by Nigel Kneale
dvd review Nigel Kneale's trilogy (which spanned the length of the 1950s). set an early benchmark for television science fiction. Just about every show since owes some debt to the mind of Kneale - the X-Files even wanted him to write for them (although he declined). Readers of these pages will probably be better aquainted with the Hammer film adaptations that of the BBC broadcasts from which they originate. Quatermass and the Pit has been available on home video (and a dvd release of the same transfer) for many years, in a compilation version. The rest of the trilogy has been unavailable for the domestic viewer (bar some shoddy bootlegs), and remained virtually unseen since the first broadcast. Kneale's remarkable gift for foresight meant that his scripts tuned in to the threats of the time before they were even topical. Much of his work remains relevant today, hence the constant borrowing by other writers. His is a world where the supernatural and scientific go hand-in-hand, where the British are at the forefront of space exploration and research, where the aliens live amongst us and the government can't be trusted. Watching the drama unfold, Kneale could be writing for us today. The eagerly-anticipated collection is simply a wonderful essential purchase. The transfers are probably the best they will ever be, painstakingly cleaned up both visually and aurally. A decent set of extras provide further background and information, enhancing the viewing and persuading this reviewer to make purchases of the rest of the Kneale material available on dvd. The Quatermass Experiment Only the first two episodes of this six-parter remain in the archives. The results of the early telerecording were deemed too poor and expensive for the rest of the serial to be recorded in this way. The drama was being broadcast live, and recording was in its infancy - the coronation had only been a few months prior to this. Whilst the poor results are evident in the dvd, one aches at the decision. The drama builds quickly, and in a tragic move, must end as the story gets going. With Hammer's film version of 1955 for comparison, we can only wonder how the television version looked, in particular the fabled showdown at Westminster. It was essential viewing, building its ratings steadily. It changed perceptions, as nearly three quarters of the audience of the last episode had been following the serial constantly - missing only one or two episodes. This was a drama which built a reputation. Reginald Tate is simply splendid in the role of Professor Quatermass. He has a remarkable credibiltiy, and authority. The entire piece is a marvel - the performances are remarkably competant (don't forget - this was live), and the direction is good. The scripts are a little wordy and stagey by neccesity, but Kneale injects real dramatic tension into the concept, breaking free from the perceptions of television scriptwriters of the day, who saw television only as radio with pictures. Duncan Lamont is the tragic space traveller returning solo after a mission went wrong - his mind and body changed and sharing a peculiar fusion of his and his friends. The two episodes that remain are not enough to evaluate his performance, and it is for this reason that Richard Wordsworth's version of the tortured character in the Hammer version remains in the mind. The early recording gives off a strange glow, eerie in itself and no doubt adding to the feel. The cameras have a fixed focus and very narrow depth of field, totally unlike anything I've ever come across before. The movements are all carefully choreographed in order to stay within the limited field, and yet with the cutting between cameras, there is a very fluid feel to the entire production, contrary to the actualities of the cramped limited studio space used. Whilst the first two episodes are all that remain visually, those unfamiliar with the story can read copies of the scripts for the missing episodes as a pdf file also contained on the dvd (and of course for comparison there is always DD Video's release of the Hammer adaptation). Quatermass II Whilst Reginald Tate had proved popular in the first serial, he died just a few weeks prior to location filming on the second serial. His absence was felt by everyone involved, but John Robinson stept in at short notice. Of all the actors to have played the Professor so far, Robinson is probably my least favorite. I find him cold and too self-absorbed. Kneale himself has always voiced his dislike of Hammer's choice of Brian Donlevy for the first two cinematic adaptations, but Donlevy is so brash he manages to carry it off - perhaps because he is American, and we're slightly prejudiced against them anyway. And yet Quatermass II is the best looking of the trilogy, helped in large part by the location filming at the Shell refinery. The industrial architecture, pipes and strange storage tankers are allowed to be just that, but with a secret hidden behind the web of metal. Viewers of the Hammer version of the story will recognise the locations, as they are identical. It appears that Val Guest took more than a little inspiration with his version, from this original, as many shots are virtually replicated, and several sets bear an uncanny similarity to the television version. The luxury of location filming gives a very identifiable sense of reality to proceedings. These are places we recognise, and can only speculate as to what goes on inside the structures. The secret military presence and soldiers and officials infected by an alien presence is a sci-fi cliché today, a staple of most X-Files seasons. The secret nature of the complex finds its modern equivalent in Memworth Hill and the rumours which abound about the secret government complex. These television episodes allow for some addititional scenes of drama and real horror. The Quatermass Experiment contains a subplot about the wife of Victor Caroon having an affair with another member of the Rocket Group. Quatermass II for example has a sequence with a family on the beach near the base, who fall victim to the heavy-handed attitudes. Another joy of the tv versions is the variety in casting, with Quatermass II featuring nice support in individual episodes from Wilfred Brambell (Steptoe and Son) as a tramp. The actor also appeared in Experiment, but the episode was never recorded. Roger Delgado also takes on the role of the newspaper reporter (Sid James took the role in the film), in episode four - long before becoming a familiar face on UK tv as the Master in Doctor Who. Quatermass II provokes questions and suspicions. We can no longer trust our goverment, as they collude, and keep secrets. The heroes are quashed, and the man on the street - the humble worker - is merely a tool, ready to be exploited. The only let down is the somewhat weak final episode which sees Quatermass off into space to combat the alien force - an idea dropped from Hammer's version. Quatermass and the Pit Before James Bond and Doctor Who started to regenerate their lead actors, Quatermass beat them too it, and no-one seemed to bat an eye-lid, as Andre Morell becomes the fourth actor to take on the mantle of the good Professor. Morell gives the air of a comic-book scientist. His slightly accentuated voice, great moustache and bow tie, an air of authority and perhaps a hint of eccentricity. He is perfect for the role, for much the same reasons that he was perfect casting for Doctor Watson in Hammer's The Hound of the Baskervilles. The actor had proved his worth in Nigel Kneale's famed adaptation of 1984 for the BBC. Kneale continues his government bashing, suggesting not so much a cover-up this time, but that the military and government ministers are led by idiots. Building work in Kensington leads to the discovery of some ancient bones, the archaeological study of which uncovers what may be an unexploded bomb. Quatermass is brought in for advice, and to see if he can move the military along, as his own Rocket Group is taken over by the armed forces. Shifting the action from our exploration of space, we instead concentrate on the exploration of our bit of space by aliens, and the influence upon mankind. Kneale demands that we rethink our perception of evolution, and our place in the chain of intelligence. Its something else when we are presented with the suggestion that insect-like creatures are responsible for our development. There are nice plays between the different groups working on the site, the builders annoyed at the time taken up by an archaeological study when they are forced to bring them in, and the archaeologists at the military for having to call them in when they find the "bomb", and of course the residents at having to be moved away by everyone. Kneale's script isn't just exciting science fiction, but a great social study. Its easy to forget that, looking at the dvds now, these were live dramas (Quatermass II features frequent line fluffs which betray the fact a little, but then in life, speech is often imperfect). Whilst the amount of location work increased with each story, providing a wealth or pre-recorded film inserts, the cast still had to do most of the work on the night. Quatermass and the Pit though contains so much film work at times, that I wonder why they didn't just shoot the whole thing in advance of broadcast. transfer Quatermass Experiment suffers the most, the resolution not being particular high. The darkness of the old lighting, and assorted technical problems, all the result of the original recording. The technology used in the original recording is entirely to blame for the faults here. Quatermass II is also a little blurry, but much cleaned up, and restored. Some technical problems are still in evidence. The start of episode five contains some of the worst material, very blurred, and looking like a low quality film copy. This is unfortunate particularly as Episode 5 is the most visually interesting of the trilogy, making full use of the Shell location, and stunning interior set work. Quatermass and the Pit is the gem of the bunch (in terms of picture quality). It has the look of a thing of beauty. The source material has been lovingly cleaned and repaired. Most of the location work looks simply stunning, and the story has also been given the refined Vid-Fire treatment, a technique which restores the look of video tape to those sequences, allowing the story to look much the same as it did on its first broadcast. This is infinitely better than the old video copy that was available. There is no contest. The Restoration Team are to be congratulated on anoteher splendid job. It is a pity that there was not room (or money available) on the disc for a restoration featurette, which I feel would help many viewers appreciate just how much work was involved. extras Scripts for the missing episodes of The Quatermass Experiment, available for PC users as a PDF file. This is the only way, sadly to find out how the tv version went. The Kneale Tapes, an excellent 2003 documentary. Approx 40 minutes, 16x9 widescreen (anamorphic enhanced). Providing a contemporary overview of Kneale's career, including interviews with Kneale, his biographer, Kim Newman, Mark Gatiss and Jeremy Dyson amongst others. Several make a point of mentioning the prophetic nature of Kneale's work. A running thread becomes the influence of Kneale's upbringing on The Isle of Man, in his work - isolation, three-legged aliens etc. Its a fair balanced overview, well produced by BBC4 for their TimeShift series. Cartier and Kneale in Coversation is a short piece (10 mins approx, fullscreen) comprised of archive interview footage of Kneale and producer/director Rudolph Cartier shot in the early 1990s for The Late Show. The segment is of particular interest as its the last interview Cartier gave before his death. Making Demons is another short 7 minute piece (fullscreen) shot for The Late Show. Special effects men Kine and Wilke are interviewed on their work on the series. The segment gives some technical details. The Kneale Tapes also features Kneale and his wife talking about construction of the monster in The Quatermass Experiment. Photo Gallery A fine gallery of behind the scenes images from the serials. Quatermass and the Pit Omnibus opening and closing For the nerds and enthusiasts, the short opening and closing titles for the two parts of the special omnibus version of the story. The opening titles for parts one and two are present, as well as the closing credit for part one. Viewing Notes A massive 48 page booklet by television historian Andrew Pixley, that quickly becomes an indespensible guide to the production of all three serials and the Quatermass legacy. Filled with interesting facts and figures, and rare photos. Easter Egg (highlight following text to read details): Found on the first disc, a short couple of minutes in the form of a comedy trailer featuring excerpts from Quatermass II. The trailer was screened as part of the comedy documentary The Staggering Stories of Ferdinand De Bargos in 1991. This is essential purchasing for the enthusiast. Hammer fans, and science fiction fans shouldn't be without it. A truly special look back to the origins of modern television drama and science fiction. A simply brilliant restoration. RJES |
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DISC: Feature length: 459
mins SPECIAL FEATURES: see left for full details |
Kult UK 20th March 2005
revised 7th April 2005
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Avalard Productions / Kult UK 2002-2005 |
