The Quatermass Experiment (2005)

DD Home Entertainment, 97 minutes, PG

DVD L12.99 (US $24.00)

On April 4, 2005, BBC 4 broadcast a live production of the original Quatermass serial. Nigel Kneale was involved in rewriting the script to pare the original 3-hour serial to this 97-minute production. The result is a more faithful reproduction of Kneale’s original series than the Hammer films. The on-air bobbles have been edited for the DVD release and I feel it is too bad that the BBC did not include those scenes as out takes. There is also a sort of greenish tinge to the whole film for some strange reason.

This is a welcome addition to my collection. Since this rebroadcast/reproduction follows the TV series script (unlike the Hammer films) it represents a more faithful retelling of the series including the action which took place in the missing episodes. I finally learned what happened between Carroon’s wife and Dr Briscoe and the series finale, though taking place in Tate Modern museum instead of Westminster Abbey, is much more satisfying than the “shoot ‘em up” ending of the Hammer film. If this had come in the mail before the Donlevy films I might never have bothered watching them. Running approximately the same length as the Donlevy film, this adaptation shows that it is possible to streamline the series without losing the meat or turning it into a mindless monster chase.

Jason Flemyng (Hyde in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) is a good casting choice for Professor Quatermass and there is also the added pleasure of watching David Tennant in a non-Doctor Who role as Dr Gordon Briscoe. It would be nice to see the BBC redo the other two Quatermass serials with Flemyng in the Quatermass role.

The DVD includes a 47-minute documentary Bring Something Back: The Making of The Quatermass Experiment that is mostly the actors and crew talking about the making of with very little additional info though there are a few funny and interesting anecdotes included. Highly recommended. - Stephanie L Bannon