Our insectoid ancestors: Quatermass and the alien behind the familiar

André Morell as the title character in Quatermass and the Pit (1958-59). He's an older gentleman in a suit with bow-tie, standing in front of a human-sized insectoid creature, which is slightly taller than Morell. The image is in black & white. Text in green, with red borders, says: "Our insectoid ancestors: Quatermass and the alien behind the familiar".
André Morell as the title character in BBC’s Quatermass and the Pit (1958-59)

We review the classic BBC sci-fi Quatermass serials written by Nigel Kneale, and their adaptations. Quatermass was immensely influential on Doctor Who, The X Files, and John Carpenter’s work among other sci-fi and horror. We discuss Quatermass’ themes including humanism, pacifism, paranoia, and the alien behind the familiar.

Hosted by Derek Johnson and Ani White. Edited by Lidia Grigorut and Ani White.

Timecodes:

  • Intro/Recs: 0.55
  • Quatermass series overview: 9.15
  • The Quatermass Experiment (original and remakes): 16.41
  • Quatermass II (ditto): 30.28
  • Musical interlude – Science Fiction Double Feature, performed by Daniel Payne: 46.15
  • Quatermass and the Pit (ditto): 50.30
  • The Quatermass Conclusion: 59.55
  • The Quatermass Memoirs: 15.55

Links to Quatermass entries:

Recs:

Media samples (aside from Quatermass):

Music:

  • Mars, Bringer of War (excerpt from The Planets by Gustav Holst), performed by US Air Force Band, via Free School
  • Where’s My Jetpack – Hotel Free Babylon
  • Science Fiction Double-Feature, song by Richard O’Brien performed by Daniel Payne
  • Theremin tracks: samples from It Came From Outer Space (1953) via jarichards99, Nightingale by Konstantin Kovalski via Theremin Today – Терменвокс, Leon Theremin playing his own instrument via slonikyouth, 18 – theremin by rap2h, Jovian synth 4 (synth imitating theremin) by thatjeffcarter
  • Darksynth tracks: Interdimensional Horror + Infection + Journey Into The Black + Identity* all by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio

*closing track

Public domain sci-fi sound effects by Hanna Barbera.

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