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Quatermass and the Pit
Series: BFI Film Classics
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Summary
Kim Newman's study centres on Roy Ward Baker's 1967 film adaptation, penned by Nigel Kneale for Hammer Films, and traces the Quatermass franchise's beginnings in 1950s BBC serials and earlier cinema. The book explores the film's production, reception, and enduring legacy.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for fans of classic British science fiction, film historians, and readers interested in the cultural impact of landmark sci-fi franchises and their cinematic adaptations.
Kim Newman's fascinating study focuses on Roy Ward Baker's 1967 film, written by Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale for Hammer Films, but also looks at the origins of the Quatermass franchise in 1950s BBC serials and earlier films.
It's great to see a Quatermass film getting the BFI Film Classics treatment in this timely addition to the series' - Sight & Sound 'Kim Newman is one of Britain's finest genre commentators, and his writing here is illuminating ...a shrewd and penetrating introduction to Quatermass for the uninitiated, and a must-have for those who think they already know everything there is to know about Quatermass and his infernal pit.' - Cinema Retro 'A must-have page-turner... A book you will want to pick up and read every time you watch the classic film it is named after.' - Fortean Times
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
While digging an extension to the London Underground Railway, workmen discover an object which might be an ancient Martian spaceship – and Professor Quatermass of the British Rocket Group investigates a mystery which prompts frightening revelations about the origins of humanity itself.
Before 2001: A Space Odyssey and Doctor Who, Quatermass and the Pit was the paramount British science fiction saga in film and television. Kim Newman's fascinating study focuses on Roy Ward Baker's 1967 film, written by Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale for Hammer Films, but also looks at the origins of the Quatermass franchise in 1950s BBC serials and earlier films.
Exploring the production and reception of the film and series, Newman assesses the lasting importance of this landmark franchise.
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Sight & Sound praises the book for bringing the Quatermass film into the esteemed BFI Film Classics series at a fitting time. Cinema Retro commends Kim Newman as a top British genre commentator, describing the writing as both illuminating and a vital introduction for newcomers and longtime fans alike. Fortean Times calls it a "must-have page-turner" that enhances every viewing of the classic film.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781844577910
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 31 October 2014
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: BFI Publishing
Illustration: 20 b/w photos, 30 colour photos
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 8.0mm
Width: 134.0mm
Height: 188.0mm
Weight: 181g
Pages: 112
Collections
About the Author
Kim Newman is a novelist, film critic and broadcaster. He is editor of The BFI Companion to Horror and Science Fiction/Horror: A Sight and Sound Reader, and author of the BFI TV Classic on Doctor Who and the BFI Film Classic on Cat People.
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