I come to the BBC TV serial of QUATERMASS AND THE PIT as a long-term fan of Hammer's film version of 1968. Inevitably I find myself preferring the Hammer version, which cuts out some of the slowness of the story while at the same time keeping all of the great ingredients that make this a classic. This six-episode miniseries features the great Andre Morell as the titular professor, called in to help investigate a mysterious spacecraft found buried beneath the London streets. This looks a bit like an early DR WHO adventure on the BBC budget, but it's a surprisingly well-paced and effects-packed adventure, and Nigel Kneale's intelligent scripting means it delights the brain as well as the senses. Another asset is the cast, from main players like Cec Linder to those on lower rungs, like Michael Ripper and Harold Goodwin.

I binge watched this, having heard of it, but never having seen any of the series previously. I may be wrong, but I imagine this was made on a show string, it proves that a lot can be made, from very, very little. Sure the production values were a little ropey, and at times the acting is a little flat, but there is something fairly magical about it. The story is incredible, the characters are huge and interesting. It's the originality of the series that makes it so deserving of such a high score, I can imagine kids back in the fifties were terrified. It begs the question, how much did it influence Doctor Who.

Not much here to add to what has been said so well in the previous reviews. Quartermass and the Pit really is that good!

It is a mini-series that looks absolutely great for the time, its expensive budget evident, and the atmospheric photography, imaginative sets and pretty spectacular special effects still hold up today. The pre-filmed material merges with the live material without jarring at all. The music score has a genuine eeriness and very memorable, unforgettable at its best (like with the main theme). Quartermass and the Pit is so intelligently scripted and beautifully paced, with so many quotes that makes one think and with much to say.

The story, as well as having some ahead-of-their-time themes, is fascinating and still resonates strongly, even those who considers their knowledge of science sketchy will find much that is interesting and captivating about it. The direction is adept, the characters are very engaging and easy to root for (Quartermass and Breen are particularly well-written) and the acting is more than excellent. Particularly good are Andre Morrell, whose interpretation of the titular character is definitive, Anthony Bushell, who manages to bring depth to a somewhat unsympathetic character instead of being cartoonish or one-dimensional, and Cec Linder's very likable Roney. Can't go wrong with the likes of Michael Ripper either.

In summary, Quartermass and the Pit really is science fiction television at its finest. 10/10 Bethany Cox