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(aka "The Pit")

 

directed by Rudolph Cartier
UK 1958

 

NOTE: The 1967 Hammer film version of Quatermass and the Pit is on Blu-ray compared HERE.

 

Andre Morell stars as Professor Bernard Quatermass in this landmark television classic. Now available on Blu-Ray for the very first time, in a brand new high-definition remaster from the original film elements. When a strange capsule is unearthed at an archaeological excavation in London, an unexploded bomb is initially suspected. However, with a history of supernatural events in the area going back many centuries and with events at the dig site about to take an unexpectedly alien turn, the origins of the capsule are soon revealed to be far more distant than anyone could have imagined. When the capsule is finally opened, something is unleashed upon the streets of London that nobody can control and mankind's past and future collide with devastating consequences.

Promotion / Books etc.

 

Television Broadcast: December 22nd, 1958

Reviews                                                                        More Reviews                                                            DVD Reviews

 

Review: BBC - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover

 

 

Distribution

BBC
Region 'B' Blu-ray
Runtime

Average episode: 0:35:12.000 X 6 = 3:27:04.000
Video

1080i / 25 fps

Disc Size: 49,484,691,484 bytes

Feature Size: 45,712,809,984 bytes

Average Bitrate: 23.98 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video
Bitrate:

 

BBC Blu-ray

 

Audio

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1875 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1875 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentaries:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 1777 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1777 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Subtitles English (SDH), None
Features Release Information:
Studio: BBC

 

1080i / 25 fps

Disc Size: 49,484,691,484 bytes

Feature Size: 45,712,809,984 bytes

Average Bitrate: 23.98 Mbps

Dual-layered Blu-ray MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Edition Details:
• Brand new commentaries featuring members of the original cast and crew. Presented by Toby Hadoke.
• Alternate title sequences from the BBC Archives (7:46)
• Photo Gallery including images of a number of previously unreleased images from the show’s original production. (6:33)
• Making Demons (7:08)

Includes an 8-page collectors booklet

Blu-ray  Release Date: November 12th, 2018
Standard Blu-ray case inside cardboard slipcase

Chapters: 30

 

 

Comments

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

 

NOTE: The 1967 Hammer film version of Quatermass and the Pit is on Blu-ray compared HERE.

 

ADDITION: BBC - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (December 2018): BBC release of the 1958 TV series "Quatermass and the Pit" on a dual-layered Blu-ray. This was made with both pre-recorded segments in 35 mm - that look stellar - and Kinescope for the live television with a camera mounted in front of a video monitor. As you can see, the disparity is immense and takes some getting used to. It can upset the flow but after an episode you accept this and the riveting story takes over. It is transferred, accurately, in 1080i / 25fps (PAL) as it was broadcast originally. The visuals export texture and I was really into 'The Pit' story despite the difference in image quality. 

We are given a DTS-HD Master 2.0 mono (24-bit) in the English language. The effects are minimal by modern standards but we have a dynamic score by Trevor Duncan (Fire Maidens of Outer Space, Chris Marker's La Jetée). Dialogue is sometimes muddy but audible and, again, in keeping with the original broadcast. There are optional English SDH subtitles on this Region 'B' Blu-ray from BBC.

There are some valuable supplements. Toby Hadoke hosts some commentaries for the episodes and he, easily, has more information on this series than anyone. He does interviews with members of the original cast, some are archival, and crew and points out plenty of production minutia for serious fans of Quatermass. There are also about 8-minutes of alternate title sequences from the BBC Archives, a 7-minute Photo Gallery including images of a number of previously unreleased images from the show’s original production. and a featurette on the effects entitled Making Demons that runs just over 7-minutes. The package includes an 8-page collectors booklet.

 

NOTE: The 1967 Hammer film version of Quatermass and the Pit is on Blu-ray compared HERE.

There are legions of Professor Quatermass fans and André Morell does a stellar job. The image quality is restored as is the best we will get - the Kinescope appearance has the effect of, nostalgically, bringing you back to the early days of this television broadcast. I found this price a bit high but ordered anyway and am very happy with the Blu-ray - almost 3.5-hours of vintage Quatermass, commentaries and extras. British science-fiction + supernatural fans would be very pleased. 

 Gary Tooze

 

BBC - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

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