The Quatermass Experiment (VHS, 2000, Midnite Movies)

For dedicated sci-fi buffs, The Quatermass Xperiment is a great old black and white gem from the 1950's. While the British backdrop injects a desirably damp, dreary atmosphere, special effects are nil by today's standards, although the plot is excellent! The fully developed stage of the alien being is pretty lame and should have been better, although not fully seen until the last several minutes of the movie (thank goodness). The actor portraying the sole surviving astronaut of three who returned from space after a random encounter with a strange alien entity (Richard Wordsworth), forcibly infected by the alien's genes during flight, does an excellent job, coming off as a pretty creepy character (his grim, ghastly appearance and seriously convincing portrayal carried the movie for me). Particularly chilling is a scene in which the infected astronaut is clandestinely taken by car from the hospital by his well meaning wife, soon discovering that her silently ailing husband, whose condition she hoped to aid and improve, is not exactly her husband. I personally perceived Brian Donlevy's character (Professor Bernard Quatermass) as exuding a somewhat insensitive air of self-importance, callously believing progressive science and its resulting discoveries rightfully transcended the welfare of planet Earth's population (suggested by the movie's final moments). Those who especially enjoy nostalgic B-movie sci-fi should not miss this one!

I first saw this film nearly 50 years ago on Friday night's "Shock Theatre" on television. It's atmospheric setting, eerie music and horrifying theme of a transgenic mutation from outer space set upon a feeding frenzy for all organic lifeforms on earth, gave me the chills. For years I tried to find it, and finally did. As a "senior citizen" now, some of the special effects appear a bit hokey and dated, but I'd still rate this one right up there, along with a bowl of popcorn, late on a Friday night!