Army radiation experiments awaken a subterranean monster from a fissure that feeds on energy and proceeds to terrorise a remote Scottish village. An American research scientist at a nearby nuclear plant joins with a British investigator to discover why the victims were radioactively burned and why, shortly thereafter, a series of radiation-related incidents are occurring in an ever-growing straight line away from the fissure.
Practical Effects
Gooey radioactive sludge effects that still genuinely unsettle.
Cinematography
Misty Scottish moors that eat budget and look gorgeous.
Sound
Geiger counter clicks that become unbearably tense.
Director
Leslie Norman
Dean Jagger
Dr. Adam Royston
Leo McKern
Inspector McGill
William Lucas
Peter Elliott
Edward Chapman
John Elliott
John Harvey
Maj. Cartwright
Michael Ripper
Sgt. Harry Grimsdyke
Anthony Newley
LCpl. 'Spider' Webb
Ian MacNaughton
Pvt. Haggis
Peter Hammond
Lt. Bannerman
Kenneth Cope
Pvt. Lansing
Frazer Hines
Ian Osborn
Neil Wilson
Russell
Jameson Clark
Jack Harding
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Hammer Films originally wanted Quatermass creator Nigel Kneale to write this, but he refused—so they hired Jimmy Sangster and accidentally launched Hammer's sci-fi dominance.
This was released months after the first British H-bomb tests, making its 'radiation monster' hit audiences like a documentary they weren't ready for.
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