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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Quatermass And The Pit
    Genre:Science Fiction

    Reviewed In Issue 31 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    James Donald, Andrew Keir, Barbara Shelley, Julian Glover

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 2
    Sound Rating: 3
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
    Internet Links

    Supplementals
    The LaserDisc special features include audio commentary with the director and writer, U.S. and U.K. trailers and TV spots.

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Elite Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): EE7487
    (MPAA Rating): Not Rated
    (Retail Price): $49.98
    (Running Time In Minutes): 98
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): No
    (Theatrical Release): 1967
    (LD Release Date): 4/98
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

    Credits Information
    (Director): Roy Ward Baker
    (Screenplay/Written By): Nigel Kneale
    (Story): Nigel Kneale
    (Music): Tristan Cary
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers): Anthony Nelson-Keys

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.66:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Digital Surround
    (Theatrical Sound): Optical Mono
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital): Yes
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround): No
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    From the legendary Hammer Studios comes Quatermass And The Pit, based on a BBC series by Nigel Kneale. Also known as Five Million Years To Earth, it features Andrew Keir as Professor Bernard Quatermass who is called in to investigate an unusual finding during a London subway station renovation. Workmen had discovered a “nest” of fossilized skeletal remains which led to the discovery of a strange missile thought to be an unexploded WWII weapon—though Professor Quatermass believes differently.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The 1.66:1 LaserDisc is dated in image quality, with a soft appearance that is wanting in resolution and clarity. Colors sometimes appear brownish, with occasionally natural looking fleshtones and deep, solid blacks. Images are generally wanting in sharpness and detail, with mediocre contrast and shadow delineation.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The original theatrical soundtrack was monaural. The matrix PCM and Dolby® Digital 5.1 credited soundtracks have been produced from a new mix of the original optical soundtrack negative and 35mm music and effects magnetic soundtrack. The attempt was to dramatically widen the soundstage perspective, and while that was achieved, the sound generally lacks fullness. Mono dialogue and effects pour out of all three front channels on the discrete version. At times, there is an aggressive surround presence on both versions, and even occasional split surrounds. The film’s climax engages the discrete .1 LFE channel.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz): No
    (Aggressive System Surround): Yes
    (Intense 25Hz Bass): No
    (Deep Bass Challenging): No
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield): No
    (Aggressive Split Surround): No
    (Center Back Surround Imaging): No
    (Directionalized Dialogue): No
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    		 No
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    		 No
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    		 No
    Superb Cinematography:
    		 -
    Reference LaserDisc:
    		 No
    Collector Edition:
    		 No
    DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
    The LaserDisc and DVD are both matted at 1.66:1, and are similar in dated image quality, but the LaserDisc is slightly softer in appearance, and is wanting in resolution and clarity. Colors sometimes appear brownish, with occasionally natural looking fleshtones and deep, solid blacks. Images are generally wanting in sharpness and detail, especially on the LaserDisc, and the DVD appears to be sourced from a composite master due to occasionally apparent NTSC artifacts. Contrast and shadow delineation are mediocre throughout. The original theatrical soundtrack was monaural. The LaserDisc matrix PCM and DVD and LaserDisc Dolby® Digital 5.1 credited soundtracks have been produced from a new mix of the original optical soundtrack negative and 35mm music and effects magnetic soundtrack. The attempt was to dramatically widen the soundstage perspective, and while that was achieved, the sound generally lacks fullness. Mono dialogue and effects pour out of all three front channels on the discrete version. At times, there is an aggressive surround presence on both versions, and even occasional split surrounds. The film’s climax engages the discrete .1 LFE channel.