The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Quatermass and the pit 1967 is a film which I've watched many times. Why? Because it's the type which you don't get bored with! No need to mention film plot as many user reviews do. It has quite a tad going for it too. The casting is indeed re principle characters fine. A thought provoking sci-fi horror which is memorable. In my opinion this one would come in top TEN re Hammer films! Yes I have it on DVD.

Based on the 1950's TV mini-series this Hammer film from 1967 is actually really good, it's the third outing for Quartermass under the Hammer studio banner. While I am reviewing it as "Quartermass and the Pit" it's been re-branded as "Five Million Years to Earth". This is directed by Roy Ward Baker and written by Nigel Kneale and runs for about 97 minutes and is well worth it. While digging to make an extension to an underground station in London human bones are unearthed, initially scientists believe these to be prehistoric bones. As well as bones, what looks like a German WW2 Missile is found. The military take over where the scientists leave off to find out of the missile is a threat. Along with the military experts Professor Bernard Quatermass (Andrew Keir) tags along for a look, he sees the 'missle' for what it really is, something unworldly. Quatermass teams up with Dr Roney (James Donald) and his assistant Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) to get to the bottom of the truth and what he uncovers helps solve the age old mystery of how humans came to being and how we work on a mental level. Of course the military don't believe him or want to so they stand in his way at every turn but their actions might make it too late for the human race to go on living. Can Quartermass and his colleagues save the world? This isn't your usual run of the mill Hammer House production, while it's branded as Horror it's definitely more Sci-Fi. Although dated now this film still has an eerie suspense to it and may even start you thinking about themes raised in the film. There is a brilliant finale and twist as the film climaxes which even by today's standard is risky but helps put the film on a pedestal as a great. I really like this film and have no issues awarding it 7 out of 10 by today's standards. If I'd have been writing reviews in the late 1960's to early 1970's I'd have probably rated this a 9 because I imagine at the time this was a cinematic masterpiece of a story and scared a lot of people. If you enjoy Hammer films then you have to watch this piece of excellence.

"5 Million Years to earth" - AKA "Quatermass and the Pit" (1967)This is the cream of old school Sci-Fi flicks. I gave it a rating of 10. It has flaws, but it is the best Science Fiction movie of it's time. The film has an interesting and original plot that is a clever mix of sci-fi with history, and is very well written. The acting is excellent. It has excellent special effects, considering that it was made nearly 50 years ago, which means the effects occasionally look a bit cheesy to the modern eye. I have heard Duncan Lamont's performance as Sladen unfairly criticized as forced and uneven. They are referring to the scene where Sladen has sought refuge in a church and is being questioned there by Quatermass. Sladen has seen things that have left him teetering on the brink of insanity, and Lamont gives a frightening portrayal of someone so terrified he drifts in and out of reality. The problems with the scene are with the direction and editing, not the acting.I've only seen it on DVD under the title "Quatermass and the Pit". Released in the USA as "5 Million Years to Earth". Until recently, it was rare and expensive on DVD, but is more reasonable now. CAUTION: There are several versions. Make sure to get the 1967 version with James Donald, Andrew Keir, and Barbara Shelley.The 1958 BBC TV series, available on DVD, is much longer but, in my opinion, not better, except in spots. - Paul

An extreme amount of explication goes into this Roy Ward Baker classic at the cost of any real thrills or scares. During the expansion of a tube station, diggers uncover a rocket-ship. Soon professor Andrew Keir and scientist James Donald are on the scene and come to the conclusion that it's the remnants of a martian aircraft that landed millions of years ago. Much of their other theorizing involves martians mating with monkeys and other such horrors. Although this is likely the most cerebral Hammer film, it's also one of the most overrated and while there are plenty of solid ideas thrown around, much of the film is simply boring. Keir is terrific as is most of the cast. Barbara Shelley is great as a fellow scientist and Julian Glover steals the film as the high strung Colonel Breen, one of those by-the-book British military types who turns out to be a bumbling nincompoop. The special effects are fine though sparsely used until the explosive ending. Tristram Cary did the creepy music.