1955·Science Fiction·1h 22m
7.0
★
The first manned spacecraft, fired from an English launchpad, is lost from radar before roaring back to Earth and crashing in a farmer's field. The rocket is found to contain only one of the three men who took off in it; and he is unable to talk but appears to be undergoing a torturous physical and mental metamorphosis.
Directed by Val Guest
london, england
transformation
alien life-form
rocket
rocket crash
escaped patient
man hunt
hospital
black and white
metamorphosis
alien monster
space exploration
slimy monster
alien organism
westminster abbey
cactus
serious
death of astronaut
rocket scientist
bold
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Cast
Brian Donlevy
Prof. Bernard Quatermass
Richard Wordsworth
Victor Carroon
David King-Wood
Dr. Gordon Briscoe
Jack Warner
Inspector Lomax
Margia Dean
Judith Carroon
Maurice Kaufmann
Marsh
Harold Lang
Christie
Lionel Jeffries
Blake
Thora Hird
Rosie Wrigley
Sam Kydd
Police Sergeant Questioning Rosie
Jane Asher
Little Girl (uncredited)
Toke Townley
The Chemist (uncredited)
Crew
Val Guest
Director
Val Guest
Screenplay
Nigel Kneale
Teleplay
Popular Reviews
24 reviews
Sky
6.0★ · 04/13/26
It’s taking everything in me not to rate this a full 5 stars for the practical effects alone… the film itself by nature isn’t all that engaging but every ounce of dreariness is accounted for by those hand-crafted props & art. Death to CGI !!
It’s taking everything in me not to rate this a full 5 stars for the practical effects alone… the film itself by nature isn’t all that engaging but every ounce of dreariness is accounted for by those hand-crafted props & art. Death to CGI !!
dparasol
8.0★ · 12/01/25
This one's been in the backlog for years, although you'd think I would have watched it at some point. I've occasionally seen people discuss this as a fascinating counterpart to HP Lovecraft, and there really is a deep affinity with the base concepts of Lovecraftian horror in this film. There's also a lot to set it apart, but obviously the affinities interest me more.
I love Quatermass himself, and second to him ends up being Inspector Lomax, who trades a barb or two with Quatermass early on but proves useful to the ongoing investigation.
"Quatermass, eh? This is what's known as penetrating into enemy territory!"
alt. quote: "I've only just heard, sir. Might've been here sooner. Is there anything I can do?" "Yes, Marsh. Going to need some help." "Help, sir? What are you going to do?" "Going to start again."
I love Quatermass himself, and second to him ends up being Inspector Lomax, who trades a barb or two with Quatermass early on but proves useful to the ongoing investigation.
"Quatermass, eh? This is what's known as penetrating into enemy territory!"
alt. quote: "I've only just heard, sir. Might've been here sooner. Is there anything I can do?" "Yes, Marsh. Going to need some help." "Help, sir? What are you going to do?" "Going to start again."
This one's been in the backlog for years, although you'd think I would have watched it at some point. I've occasionally seen people discuss this as a fascinating counterpart to HP Lovecraft, and there really is a deep affinity with the base concepts of Lovecraftian horror in this film. There's also a lot to set it apart, but obviously the affinities interest me more.
I love Quatermass himself, and second to him ends up being Inspector Lomax, who trades a barb or two with Quatermass early on but proves useful to the ongoing investigation.
"Quatermass, eh? This is what's known as penetrating into enemy territory!"
alt. quote: "I've only just heard, sir. Might've been here sooner. Is there anything I can do?" "Yes, Marsh. Going to need some help." "Help, sir? What are you going to do?" "Going to start again."
I love Quatermass himself, and second to him ends up being Inspector Lomax, who trades a barb or two with Quatermass early on but proves useful to the ongoing investigation.
"Quatermass, eh? This is what's known as penetrating into enemy territory!"
alt. quote: "I've only just heard, sir. Might've been here sooner. Is there anything I can do?" "Yes, Marsh. Going to need some help." "Help, sir? What are you going to do?" "Going to start again."
Erik Olsson
6.0★ · 10/26/25
A lot dryer than I expected for such a breakthrough film for Hammer. Definitely some wonderfully creepy and occasionally yucky moments, but everything else is pretty dull.
A lot dryer than I expected for such a breakthrough film for Hammer. Definitely some wonderfully creepy and occasionally yucky moments, but everything else is pretty dull.
Markus Boschman
9.0★ · 08/05/25
The origins of Body Horror.
As my teacher said “go back to the origins of the things you love”. So I did. When you do some research this is what comes up.
It definitely is partially body horror
It’s definitely more sci-fi than anything and it’s not very scary, but it is a good time. And shows a very cool transformation of body horror
This movie explores deep emotional things with a mute character. It is very well done
As my teacher said “go back to the origins of the things you love”. So I did. When you do some research this is what comes up.
It definitely is partially body horror
It’s definitely more sci-fi than anything and it’s not very scary, but it is a good time. And shows a very cool transformation of body horror
This movie explores deep emotional things with a mute character. It is very well done
The origins of Body Horror.
As my teacher said “go back to the origins of the things you love”. So I did. When you do some research this is what comes up.
It definitely is partially body horror
It’s definitely more sci-fi than anything and it’s not very scary, but it is a good time. And shows a very cool transformation of body horror
This movie explores deep emotional things with a mute character. It is very well done
As my teacher said “go back to the origins of the things you love”. So I did. When you do some research this is what comes up.
It definitely is partially body horror
It’s definitely more sci-fi than anything and it’s not very scary, but it is a good time. And shows a very cool transformation of body horror
This movie explores deep emotional things with a mute character. It is very well done
Koudelka
5.0★ · 07/19/25
This didn't really stand the test of time.
This didn't really stand the test of time.