Rocket scientist Professor Quatermass tracks a strange meteor shower to the remote English village of Winnerden Flats. There he find a secret government project lab which appears to be collecting the meteors, but refuses any admittance. What does it all mean ?
This rip-roaring sequel to The Quatermass Xperiment is an ominous, breathless, science-fiction/horror minor classic, primarily due to the top-notch script by Nigel Kneale and Guest, which has been copied many times, particularly by Dr Who. The clandestine aura of the invasion and the who/where-exactly-are-they nature of the aliens is tremendously suspenseful, chilling and even absurd (they have government funding !). Donlevy is one-note in the lead but conveys well his hero's frustration at the conspiracy and disbelief all around him, James is excellent in a rare serious part as the Fleet Street hack (his death is a profoundly shocking moment), and noted director Forbes (Whistle Down The Wind, The Stepford Wives) is interesting as a scientist-turned-zombie. The movie's other trump card is the ultra-creepy setting for the aliens' base; an endless maze of enormous vats, miles of steel piping, scaffolding, control rooms and conduits (it was filmed at the gargantuan Shellhaven Refinery on the north bank of the Thames Estuary); an eerie place which adds immeasurably to the sinister atmosphere. The pace is furious, racing through the premise and the initial investigation then carefully blending in elements of authoritarian coverups, political comment, small town drama, military action and full-blown monster movie. It's an excellent mix of intriguing and intelligent storyline and agreeable adventure, with the next revelation, chase or scare never far away, just the way good cinema should be. One of the great Hammer films, retitled Enemy From Space for the US release, and followed by the equally brilliant Quatermass And The Pit ten years later.
This rip-roaring sequel to The Quatermass Xperiment is an ominous, breathless, science-fiction/horror minor classic, primarily due to the top-notch script by Nigel Kneale and Guest, which has been copied many times, particularly by Dr Who. The clandestine aura of the invasion and the who/where-exactly-are-they nature of the aliens is tremendously suspenseful, chilling and even absurd (they have government funding !). Donlevy is one-note in the lead but conveys well his hero's frustration at the conspiracy and disbelief all around him, James is excellent in a rare serious part as the Fleet Street hack (his death is a profoundly shocking moment), and noted director Forbes (Whistle Down The Wind, The Stepford Wives) is interesting as a scientist-turned-zombie. The movie's other trump card is the ultra-creepy setting for the aliens' base; an endless maze of enormous vats, miles of steel piping, scaffolding, control rooms and conduits (it was filmed at the gargantuan Shellhaven Refinery on the north bank of the Thames Estuary); an eerie place which adds immeasurably to the sinister atmosphere. The pace is furious, racing through the premise and the initial investigation then carefully blending in elements of authoritarian coverups, political comment, small town drama, military action and full-blown monster movie. It's an excellent mix of intriguing and intelligent storyline and agreeable adventure, with the next revelation, chase or scare never far away, just the way good cinema should be. One of the great Hammer films, retitled Enemy From Space for the US release, and followed by the equally brilliant Quatermass And The Pit ten years later.