Quatermass and the Pit

Quatermass and the Pit

Year: 1967

Runtime: 97 mins

Language: English

Director: Roy Ward Baker

Science FictionHorrorMysteryHorror the undead and monster classicsMonsters aliens sci-fi and the apocalypse

World in panic! Cities in flames! A mysterious artifact unearthed below a London subway station proves to have powerful psychic effects on the people around.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Quatermass and the Pit (1967)

Trace every key event in Quatermass and the Pit (1967) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Skull and metallic object unearthed at Hobbs End

During construction of an underground extension, workers uncover a human skull buried in the ground at Hobbs End. Dr. Matthew Roney identifies it as five million years old, older than any previous find. A fragment of a metallic object is uncovered nearby, suggesting an unexploded bomb from the London Blitz.

Afternoon Hobbs End, London
2

Bomb disposal called in; military involvement grows

Believing the object to be a bomb, the team summons the army's bomb disposal unit. Colonel Breen is assigned to the British Experimental Rocket Group, and Professor Bernard Quatermass accompanies him to Hobbs End as military attention increases. He also learns that his Moon colonisation plans are to be taken over by the military, who intend to base missiles in space.

Evening Hobbs End, London
3

Second skull found; alien origin suspected

Another skull is discovered within the chamber of the object, reinforcing that the artifact is five million years old. The object's heat resistance leads Quatermass to suspect an alien origin rather than a mundane bomb. The discovery deepens the mystery surrounding Hobbs End.

Evening Hobbs End
4

Barbara Judd joins the investigation

Roney's assistant Barbara Judd accompanies Quatermass to the site and becomes intrigued by the place. They visit the bombed-out house opposite the station, where legends of hauntings suggest the area is linked to disturbing events. The trio's exploration widens the inquiry beyond science into folklore.

Night Hobbs End / opposite station house
5

Hauntings linked to disturbances across centuries

Quatermass and Barbara uncover historical accounts of hauntings and spectral appearances dating back centuries, which align with the ground disturbances around Hobbs End. The investigations hint that the site may be a doorway or trigger for otherworldly forces. The line between folklore and science begins to blur.

Historical timeline Hobbs End, London
6

Spectral apeman apparition observed

A bomb disposal team member witnesses a spectral apparition of the apeman through the object's wall. An attempt to drill open a sealed chamber with a Borazon drill initially fails, but a small hole is eventually seen. The encounter intensifies the sense that something alien lies within the craft.

Night Hobbs End bomb site
7

Chamber reveals Martian insectoid remains

The hole widens to reveal the corpses of insectoid creatures with horned heads. Their physiology suggests they originated on Mars, reinforcing Quatermass's theory that the ship is of alien origin. The creatures resemble depictions of the Devil, strengthening the mythic link to Hobbs End.

Unspecified Inside the object chamber
8

Findings presented to the press

Researchers present their findings to the press, arguing that the alien craft's occupants came from a dying Mars and used advanced techniques to influence early humans. Quatermass posits a plan of remote colonization by proxy, embedding Martian faculties in human evolution. Public attention grows as the implications sink in.

Day London press conference
9

Skepticism and political pressure mount

Colonel Breen dismisses the alien craft as Nazi propaganda designed to sow fear among Londoners. A government minister pressures to unveil the ship publicly, planning a press conference despite the scientists' warnings. The clash between skepticism and curiosity raises the political stakes.

Day London government offices
10

Sladden's psychic attack; seeks refuge in a church

The drill operator Sladden is overwhelmed by a psychic force emanating from the craft, triggering telekinetic disturbances. He flees and eventually ends up in a church, where he experiences a vision of Martians under alien skies. The episode foreshadows the craft's reach beyond the immediate site.

Night Church, London
11

Quatermass taps into the primeval psyche

At Hobbs End, Quatermass uses a device to tap into the subject's primeval psyche and records Barbara's thoughts on a genocidal purge by Martians. He shares this recording with the minister and other officials, but they dismiss it as unreliable or sensational. The attempt marks a turning point where science clashes with political reluctance.

Day Hobbs End
12

Martian energy escalates; Breen killed

A power line is dropped into the craft, triggering a surge of psychic energy that spreads through London, triggering rampages. A small portion of the population proves immune to the Martian influence. Colonel Breen is drawn toward the ship and killed by the energy, while Quatermass begins to resist the invasion.

Evening London
13

Roney defeats the Martian image and dies

Roney climbs a construction crane and uses it to discharge Martian energy into the earth, blasting the spectral image from the sky. The fire destroys the image and its influence, but Roney dies in the process. The immune minority remains, offering a fragile glimmer of human resilience.

Finale London

Last Updated: October 07, 2025 at 08:14

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