Quatermass II similarities to Moonraker novel
Barbel
ScotlandPosts: 37,856Chief of Staff
In 1955, a year after the MR novel was written, the BBC broadcast "Quatermass II"- a science-fiction serial in six parts written by Nigel Kneale and a sequel to "The Quatermass Experiment". A Hammer film production was released two years later.
Q2 does not have a lengthy gambling prologue, and MR does not have invading aliens, but both have a rocket being built by a team of scientists with government approval in the SE corner of England which ends up being used in a different way than intended while the protagonist gradually uncovers a sinister plot with an apparently benign cover story.
*
The characters are almost completely unalike- there's no Drax figure in Q2 and Quatermass is nothing like 007, although Fleming's minor character Vallance is very similar to Neale's Lomax - and the themes of each story are distinct, but the details are similar enough that watching Q2 is as close as we can get to imagining what a 1950s film of MR would have looked like (B&W, dodgy SFX, and all).
It was directed by Val Guest, of CR67 fame (if that's the right word).
"Don't take me round the world one more time... please."
* This is from the first Quatermass movie.
Q2 does not have a lengthy gambling prologue, and MR does not have invading aliens, but both have a rocket being built by a team of scientists with government approval in the SE corner of England which ends up being used in a different way than intended while the protagonist gradually uncovers a sinister plot with an apparently benign cover story.
*The characters are almost completely unalike- there's no Drax figure in Q2 and Quatermass is nothing like 007, although Fleming's minor character Vallance is very similar to Neale's Lomax - and the themes of each story are distinct, but the details are similar enough that watching Q2 is as close as we can get to imagining what a 1950s film of MR would have looked like (B&W, dodgy SFX, and all).
It was directed by Val Guest, of CR67 fame (if that's the right word).
"Don't take me round the world one more time... please."* This is from the first Quatermass movie.
Comments
Yes, looking forward to seeing them.
Have you ever seen Seven Days to Noon (1950)? I have a feeling that was a possible influence on the MR novel. See here:
http://www.thebondologistblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/ian-flemings-thrilling-inspiration-for.html
Interesting article, thanks- only skimmed it so far, I'll go back and take a longer read now. Yes, I watched that film many years ago but I'll need to take another look.
If you're into that sort of thing*, very much so.
* You might find them very dated (B&W except for the 3rd, creaky effects, low budget, etc), but for their time they're very well done and the subtleties and themes haven't dated.
Interesting point Barbel, I can certainly see the similarities. Quatermass's British Experimental Rocket Group certainly has striking resemblances to Drax's operations in Dover too. -{
Quite right, I should have said written in 1954. Thanks, 002, I've changed that in the first post.
Nice work, SM, I enjoyed reading that. You must complete the other projected articles, they look interesting too.
Thanks very much, Barbel. I really appreciate all feedback. There are a new set of articles coming to the blog soon - currently working on them.
Including the NSF Article?
Indeed, a lot of it was written years ago (2009) and I've added to it since then. I really must get that one finished at some point. There'll probably be very few interested in that one though to be honest. We'll see.
Thanks, AOS. At least I'm assured of one reader then!
I'm not trying to suggest that Q2 and MR are twins, but that if Fleming's novel had been adapted fairly faithfully at the time (and some moves were made in that direction) then some scenes in Q2 resemble what would have been the result.
Another interesting connection there.
It's always been my faviroute as well -{
Any Torchwood fans about. I think the last two series of Torchwood were
very much in the Quatermass vein. Alien world wide conspiracy, not being
able to trust your political leaders ? For me they are carrying on the tradition
of great British Sci-fi, which makes you think as well as entertains.
Sadly it was cancelled after " Miracle day" but I have read rumours of a possible
Return. I do hope so. -{
Observations ( I'm certain already mentioned )
Firstly the Rocket, itself looks as Fleming described the Moonraker
Although I think this was a General 50s/60s design.
The idea of a local factory/ installation which is very secret, yet
Producing a strong loyalty from the locals towards it.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MDB3Tgh61AgFTgc9E6xVhjOEHyU2GixJ/view?usp=sharing