Quatermass is back. He stumbles upon strange happenings in the new town of Winnerdon Flats - strange showers of meteorites which infect anyone who touches them with a strange fungus. He links events with the nearby chemical plant, which seems to be based upon similar plans to his own for a moonbase. The conspiracy deepens, with government ministers involved, and the plant housing a breding alien lifeform, readying itself for taking over the earth...
Quatermass 2 was the first official sequel to Quatermass Xperiment, having aired on BBCtv two years previously. Brian Donlevy returned to the role, again under the direction of Val Guest. Nigel Kneale was once more unhappy with the choice of the lead, deeming him brutish and drunk. The sequel though, is again well paced, and with a sinister fear of threat from the outside forces. There is an Orwellian feel to the new town, watched over closely by the aliens. The distrust stretches to government officials and previously safe allies. John Van Eyssen (soon to come to the fore as Jonathan Harker in Dracula) menaces throughout, his charm too precise to be genuine. Sid James pops up in amusing support, and Michael Ripper can be seen amongst the familiar Hammer names, before becoming typecast as the barman in period pieces. Guest's direction is more finely tuned here, and the production gives a sharper gleam. The excellent use of location work adds to the realism - and the threat from beyond is brought right under our noses, perhaps also suggestive of the Cold War fears rising. Its a gutsy film with some excellent show pieces, again giving the American sci-fi B-movie trend a run for its money. DD's Region 2 disc replicates the trailer and commentary from the old Anchor Bay disc. The commnetary I care little for, suffering from evident splicing between the two men on either side of the Atlantic. The contrary view-points are interesting, and such juxtapositions of opinion are rare. Perhaps I'm too harsh. In addition the filmed interview is a nice new addition, but really more could be covered. Jonathan Rigby and Marcus Hearn's viewing notes are a delight as ever. transfer Design extras Viewing Notes Booklet Splendidly researched 24 page booklet covering all aspects of the production. There should be more of this kind of thing out there. Director Commentary Commentary from writer Nigel Kneale and director Val Guest. Interesting. The same as the one on the American Anchor Bay dvd. Is a cut and paste job, but generally flows quite well. Val Guest Interview ( 8 mins 50 secs). Newly shot video interview between Marcus Hearn and Val Guest. Suffers a little from covering the same material as the commentary. Poorly lit, and looking very ropey and evidence of video-based nature. Quality of picture and sound is sub-standard, but a nice extra all the same. Fullscreen. Subtitles None. Trailers SUMMARY RJES |
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DISC: Feature length: 81
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