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S E A R C H    D V D B e a v e r

Directed by Roy Ward Baker
UK 1967

 

Hobbs End, Knightsbridge, London. Whilst working on a new subway tunnel for the London Underground a group of construction workers uncover a strangely shaped skull amongst the rubble. Nearby is another discovery: a large, mysterious and impenetrable metal object. Initially mistaken for an unexploded bomb the origins of the object and its strange power are far more horrific and terrifying than anybody could have possibly imagined. Is it of this earth? Could it be the ancestral link to mankind’s evolution? Or could it be an ancient link to unleashing ultimate evil? There’s only one man capable of unravelling the clues, his name is Professor Bernard Quatermass, a man of science who thrives on the dark mysteries of the world, a man with answers.

Nigel Kneale's Quatermass TV series spawned a brief film series produced over an eleven-year period; 1967's Quatermass... and the Pit, released in the US as Five Million Years to Earth, was the third and (until 1979's Quatermass Conclusion) last. As in previous chapters in the Kneale saga, the film begins with a baffling scientific discovery. This time it's a bunch of prehistoric skulls, discovered during a subway excavation in the heart of London. Sequestered in a lab, the skulls start to emanate a bizarre force over the populace, resulting in death and destruction. Professor Quatermass (Andrew Keir) concludes that the skulls are the residue of an extraterrestrial invading army -- a theory which (as usual) is scoffed at by the authorities until it's almost too late. Blessed with superb special effects and an expertly sustained tension level, Quatermass and the Pit is easily the best of the short-lived Quatermass series.

Excerpt from Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide located HERE

Posters

Theatrical Release: November 2nd, 1967

Reviews                                                                                                       More Reviews                                                                                       DVD Reviews

 

Comparison:

Optimum / Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray vs. Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

 

 

    

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Optimum - Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray
Runtime 1:37:52.533         1:37:35.850   
Video

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 46,293,785,423 bytes

Feature: 28,482,760,704 bytes

Video Bitrate: 32.95 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,917,096,010 bytes

Feature: 29,264,480,256 bytes

Video Bitrate: 32.00 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate UK Blu-ray:

Bitrate US Blu-ray:

Audio

LPCM Audio English 2304 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2304 kbps / 24-bit
Commentary: LPCM Audio English 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1658 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1658 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
DTS-HD Master Audio English 3371 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 3371 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentaries:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

Subtitles English, None English, None
Features Release Information:
Studio:
Optimum - Studio Canal

 

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 46,293,785,423 bytes

Feature: 28,482,760,704 bytes

Video Bitrate: 32.95 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• New UK exclusive interviews in 1080i with Julian Glover (28:27), Mark Gatiss (19:14), Judith Kerr (17:11), Kim Newman (29:30) and Marcus Hearn (12:24)
• Audio commentary with Nigel Kneale and Roy Ward Baker
• World of Hammer – Sci-Fi Episode (24:35 in 1080i)
• Alternate US Credits (:26 in 1080P) + Alternate Us Trailer (2:32 in 1080P)
• Trailer (2:29 in 1080i)
• Interview with Joe Dante (11:05 in 1080i)
DVD of the Feature


Blu-ray Release Date:
October 10th, 2011
Standard (thick) UK Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

Release Information:
Studio:
Shout! Factory

 

1.66:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray

Disc Size: 47,917,096,010 bytes

Feature: 29,264,480,256 bytes

Video Bitrate: 32.00 Mbps

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:

• NEW Audio Commentary With Film Historian Bruce G. Hallenbeck
• NEW Audio Commentary With Filmmaker Constantine Nasr And Author/Film Historian Steve Haberman
• NEW Interview With Actor Hugh Futcher (6:40)
• NEW Interview With Academy Award-Winning Special Effects Artist Brian Johnson (Alien) (5:10)
• NEW Interview With Clapper Loader Trevor Coop (8:26)
• NEW Interview With Focus Puller Bob Jordan (2:23)
• Interview With Author Judith Kerr (17:56)
• Interview With Actor Julian Glover (30:44)
• Interview With Actor/Writer Mark Gatiss (20:04)
• Interview With Filmmaker Joe Dante (11:32)
• Interview With Author/Film Historian Kim Newman (30:47)
• Interview With author/Hammer Film Historian Marcus Hearn (12:57)
• Audio Commentary With Director Roy Ward Baker And Writer Nigel Kneale
• World of Hammer – Sci-Fi (25:39)
• Theatrical Trailers (5:10)
• TV Spots (1:25)
• Alternate U.S. Credits (0:27)
• Still Gallery (5:48)y


Blu-ray Release Date:
July 30, 2019
Standard Blu-ray Case

Chapters 12

 

 

Comments:

NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Shout! Factory Blu-ray (July 2019): Shout! Factory have transferred the Hammer Studio sci-fi horror gem Quatermass and the Pit to Blu-ray. It looks minutely superior to the very strong UK Blu-ray from 2011. Region 'A'-locked audiences have waited patiently for it to arrive on US shores and the resulting package won't disappoint. The image has the exact same 1.66:1 framing. Colors may warm slightly on the dual-layered transfer with a very high bitrate. In essence the video quality is "as close as dammit is to swearing" but we give a negligible edge to the Shout! Factory. There is fabulous facial detail in close-ups and a perfect balance of consistent texture. Even if it can look green-ish in sequences this is one of the best looking of all of the Hammer flics on digital.

NOTE: 36 more full resolution (1920 X 1080) captures for Patrons are available HERE.

On their Blu-ray, Shout! Factory use a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel mono track (24-bit) track with the option of a robust 5.1 bump. Both in the original English language. The surround has a few surprising separations but its depth is a key component to advancing the film experience with the intense effects and Tristram Cary score. Shout! Factory offer optional English subtitles (bold white font) on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Shout! Factory Blu-ray have all of the same extras as the 2011 BD release but also much more.  Repeated are the old commentary with Director Roy Ward Baker And Writer Nigel Kneale and the 1.5 hour's worth of interviews with Julian Glover, Mark Gatiss, Judith Kerr, Kim Newman, Joe Dante and Marcus Hearn. It also has the World of Hammer episode and Alternate U.S. Credits. New are two more audio commentaries; a first with film historian Bruce G. Hallenbeck (author of Hammer Fantasy & Sci fi: British Cult Cinema) and he knows his stuff with plenty of in-depth detail about the studio and this production. There is a second new audio commentary (making three in total!) with filmmaker Constantine Nasr (author of Roger Corman: Interviews (Conversations with Filmmakers Series) and Author/Film Historian Steve Haberman that is laid back and shows some appreciation for the film and its quintessential Hammer nuances. There are some new, short, interviews with Actor Hugh Futcher, Academy Award-Winning Special Effects Artist Brian Johnson, Clapper Loader Trevor Coop, and Focus Puller Bob Jordan plus Theatrical Trailers, TV Spots and a stills gallery.

Talk about a stacked release! Shout! Factory left no stone unturned in their Blu-ray of Quatermass and the Pit - one of the mainstays of the Brit-horror genre of the 60's. This is such an impressive package from the a/c to the extensive extras. It gets a very strong recommendation!

***

ON THE UK Blu-ray: Outstanding video quality on Optimum's Blu-ray of Quatermass and the Pitt - a pure Hammer gem. The image is extremely impressive with a spotless, crisp presentation that supports depth and excellent color balance. This is another remarkable Hammer film put to Blu-ray with fabulous results - the first was Paranoiac - a Eureka video transfer. What I like about Quatermass is the fine sheen of textured grain - it is so consistent it reminds me of a Blue Underground HD rendering. It's incredible how sharp some of the close-ups are - credit to the source and adept dual-layered rendering with a high bitrate. Really, this is as good as I have seen from this genre and period in HD. I've already shown the 1.66:1 transfer to friends - to demo the high quality. Fab!

The lossless audio comes on the form of a linear PCM 2.0 channel stereo track at 2304 kbps. There isn't a lot going on with effects in the film and the original music by Tristram Cary - who did some 60's Dr. Who stuff - is sparingly used. So depth comes into play in the final scenes but otherwise we have a dialogue-built suspense where the pauses help the minimalist-induced chills. I think it works. Optimum have included optional English subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region 'B'-locked disc.

Stacks of supplements which include over 1.5 hours of new exclusive interviews in 1080i with Julian Glover (28:27), Mark Gatiss (19:14), Judith Kerr (17:11), Kim Newman (29:30) and Marcus Hearn (12:24). There is the pre-existing audio commentary with Nigel Kneale and Roy Ward Baker and World of Hammer – Sci-Fi Episode found on older SD editions. I enjoyed the 11-minutes with Joe Dante - another fan of the genre and we also get the Alternate US Credits, a couple of trailers in HD and the package includes a DVD of the Feature.

If I had been able to see and review this Blu-ray prior to our year-end poll - I would have definitely given Quatermass and the Pitt some deserved 'love'. This is filled with Hammer charm, has a stupendous transfer, and is loaded with good quality extras! For those keen on this type of entertainment - this is an encouraging endorsement!  

Gary Tooze

 


Optimum / Studio Canal - Region 'B'- Blu-ray

 

Shout! Factory -  Region 'A' - Blu-ray


CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

1) Optimum / Studio Canal - Region 'B'- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Shout! Factory -  Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Optimum / Studio Canal - Region 'B'- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Shout! Factory -  Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Optimum / Studio Canal - Region 'B'- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Shout! Factory -  Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


1) Optimum / Studio Canal - Region 'B'- Blu-ray - TOP

2) Shout! Factory -  Region 'A' - Blu-ray BOTTOM

 

 


 

More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE

 

 
Box Cover

 

 

 

    

Bonus Captures:

Distribution Optimum - Studio Canal - Region 'B' - Blu-ray Shout! Factory - Region 'A' - Blu-ray


 

 


 

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