Quatermass (1979)
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Quatermass (1979)
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| Episodes: | 4 |
| Year: | 1979 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Seasons: | 1 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 4 |
| Category: | Dystopian |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Serial |
| Company: | Euston Films for Thames |
| Creator: | Nigel Kneale |
| Run Time (mins): | 60 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | ITV |
| First Aired: | October 24, 1979 |
| Last Aired: | November 14, 1979 |
Summary
Professor Bernard Quatermass emerges from retirement to investigate the disappearance of his granddaughter, an inquiry that leads him into a society teetering on the brink of collapse. During his search, he learns of the destruction of an American–Russian orbital station by unidentified forces. Quatermass subsequently forms an association with astronomer Joe Kapp, with whom he witnesses the annihilation of thousands of so‑called Planet People at the prehistoric stone circle known as Ringstone Round, obliterated by a descending beam of light.
In the aftermath of the Ringstone Round catastrophe, Quatermass receives reports of comparable incidents occurring across the world. He travels to London accompanied by district commissioner Annie Morgan and a young woman, Isabel, who has survived the Ringstone event. Their journey is interrupted when they are separated during an armed confrontation between rival street gangs. At the same time, the destructive beam reappears, striking near Kapp’s residence.
Upon returning home, Kapp discovers that all signs of life have vanished. Quatermass, now sheltering beneath the streets of London, encounters an elderly scientist named Chisholm, whom he believes may hold insights into the expanding crisis. Soon afterwards, the beam descends once more, this time upon a mass gathering of approximately 70,000 young people at Wembley Stadium, resulting in catastrophic loss of life.
As the atmosphere becomes tinged with green, attributed to undigested particles suspended in the air, Quatermass joins forces with the Russian scientist Gurov. Together they assemble a group of elderly volunteers to construct a trap for the extra-terrestrial force. Their plan involves generating an artificial composite of sensory stimuli, sound, heat, and odour, designed to mimic the presence of a vast human crowd, thereby luring the beam toward a concealed nuclear device.
During the final descent of the light, a confrontation erupts with the Planet People, during which Joe Kapp is fatally shot. At the critical moment, Quatermass’s missing granddaughter unexpectedly appears, enabling the professor to complete the plan. Together, they trigger the detonation of the device intended to halt the alien threat.
Cast
Prof. Quatermass JOHN MILLS, Joe Kapp SIMON MACCORKINDALE, Clare Kapp (ep 1-2 only) BARBARA KELLERMAN, Kickalong RALPH ARLISS, Caraway PAUL ROSEBURY, Bee JANE BERTISH, Hettie (eps 1-2,4) REBECCA SAIRE, Marhsall (eps 1-3) TONY SIBBALD, Annie Morgan (eps 2-3) MARGARET TYZACK, Sal (eps 2-4) TOYAH WILCOX, Chisholm (eps 3-4) DONALD ECCLES, Gurov (eps 2-4, plus voice over ep.1) BREWSTER MASON.
See Also: Quatermass Experiment, the, Quatermass II and Quatermass and the Pit
Tags: Dystopian, United Kingdom, 1979, English
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