The Quatermass Xperiment

THEY GIGGLE

LAUGHING CONTINUES

DISTANT MECHANICAL ROARING

-What's that?

-Sounds like a jet, doesn't it?

That's no jet! Maggie! Look!

-What is it?

-Down! Get down! Down!

Maggie! Maggie!

Get inside! Get inside!

Inside!

Maggie?

I'm all right, Dad.

-We saw it coming out of the sky! It was glowing ...

-You two stay over there, keep away from the windows!

It's probably a meteor. Isn't it?

-Whatever it is...

-Dad, don't go out there! Please, Dad, don't go out!

-DOG BARKS

Get over there! If the telephone's still on, call the police.

BARKING CONTINUES

HORSE WHINNIES

FIRE ENGINE BELL SOUNDS

MEGAPHONE: 'Will you all please return to your homes.

'You are only hampering operations by crowding the street.

'Please return to your homes.

'Please get back out of the road, onto the pavement, please, come along now, please.

'Please return to your homes.' FIRE ENGINE BELL RINGS

Get back. Get back, keep the lane clear, right back, please.

Right back, right back.

Keep clear, keep clear.

-You'll be all right, they'll take care of you.

-OK, George, let's have a look at you.

Oh, don't you start fussing too, I've got singed, that's all.

It's still too hot to put water on. It could do with another pump.

-It should be them now.

-What's all this about?

-Could be practically anything.

-FIRE ENGINE BELL RINGS

The object was first sighted at about 9.15 this evening.

And its approach was widely observed over the southern counties.

A statement just issued by the Home Office stresses that there is no general danger.

Members of the public, however, are warned to stay away from the area.

I will repeat that...

The Home Office stresses that there's no immediate danger.

Do you realise what you'll have to face if this turns out to be a disaster, Quatermass?

-How much further?

-15 miles, sir.

-Quatermass, I am talking to you.

For the last 20 miles I've been painfully aware of that.

Well then answer, man. What went wrong?

For the first time in the history of the world, man has sent a rocket 1,500 miles into space.

-You can't expect it to be perfect.

-You must have had some idea!

-I'm a scientist, not a fortune teller!

-Well, you had radio contact.

We lost it for over 57 hours, sir. It broke loose and we don't even know how far it's been.

-We had no further contact even when it returned to the orbit.

-You brought it down by your own control.

Well, tell your ministry - Quatermass sent it up and he brought it back.

-Please!

-Couldn't you pick some other time for this?

-I'm sorry, Mrs Carroon.

I happen to be concerned with the Ministry of Defence.

I'm a doctor, and I happen to be concerned with the three men who were in that rocket.

Oakley Green. This is it.

Certainly no secret.

-Sorry, no-one allowed past.

-It's all right, Ministry of Defence.

Oh, yes, sir. All right, open up.

Hey! Sorry, Miss, you must keep back.

Oi, Miss! Hey, just a minute, please! Miss!

Aye aye, chasing the girls again?

You'd think it was a bank holiday, the way they come flocking out.

-I'd like to flock home.

-You stay put my lad, until that thing cools off.

-Or blows up.

-Now, don't start that story going around.

-They've said it's not a bomb.

-Then why can't we put water on it?

-We've had instructions.

They didn't tell us why.

Hey! Hey, just a minute!

Mr Blake, Ministry of Defence!

-Try and get through to him, Marsh.

-Right, Sir.

Give me a temperature reading.

-Why don't you go wait in the car, Judith?

-It's funny.

It looks exactly the same, yet it's been who knows how far?

There isn't a word.

Hello? Hello?

Q1, Q1. This is Marsh.

Hello Carroon, Green, Reichenheim.

You receive me, over?

-Keep trying.

-Mr Blake?

-I'm Quatermass. I'll be in charge form here on, Inspector.

-Fine. What's the next move?

We can't do anything until that cools off.

-How long will that be, Sir?

-Three or four hours at least.

Q1, Q1, this is Marsh. Do you hear me? Do you hear me?

-Over.

-Leave them in there for four hours?

-You'd like me to open it up right now, huh?

-One blast of air in against that heat would incinerate them.

-Some reporters from London would like some facts.

-They'll get some later.

-They'll get some now.

-Shouldn't we find out a few more ourselves first?

-Bring them, Major.

-Q1? Are you hearing me?

This is Marsh calling Q1. Q1, over.

If I ever gave them all the facts you'd find one or two of them difficult to explain.

Don't drag me through the mud, Blake. You might splash you and your committee.

You launched that rocket without waiting for official sanction.

If the world waited for official sanction, it'd be standing still. You took too long, I made my decision.

-To gamble with three men's lives.

-Every experiment is a gamble. They know that.

Did she know that? That woman over there, waiting, hoping and praying?

-Dropped another 100 degrees since we arrived.

-Still got a long way to go.

-Let's hope that insulation lining doesn't crack.

-If it did, those three men in there are dead.

Dead or alive, they'll be heroes. Let me tell you something, Blake.

They'll fire the imagination so that there will be a hundred men begging for the same privilege

-when we launch the second rocket. You can't stop it now.

-You mean I can't stop YOU now?

That's right.

This is Marsh calling Q1.

Marsh calling Q1. Do you hear me? Do you hear me, over?

-Nothing, Sir.

-Quatermass. You know what you've done?

-I launched it and I brought it back.

-That's quite an achievement, I think!

-Those three men in there...

-Quiet!

-What is it, Marsh?

-Something came through.

Pull up, pull up.

There's a tapping. Coming from inside.

By the hull, near the transmitter.

Q1, Q1.

Green, Reichenheim, Carroon.

This is Quatermass, Quatermass. We can hear you, can you hear us?

Over.

Q1, Q1, can you hear me?

You've landed in England. We're here, not 50 yards from you.

Are you all right, over?

Tapping's stopped. We can't wait, we've got to get them out of there now. Bring me the bio-key.

-Set the remote control.

-Are you mad? We can't open that rocket door now!

One of them is alive, in an hour he may not be.

But you said that would incinerate them! You can't!

-Don't tell me what to do!

-Shell temperature is still 300 degrees.

-So we wait till it's absolutely safe and then bring them out? Dead?

-Door control set, Sir.

-Hold it. Where's that fire chief?

-Get an ambulance moved in to stand-by.

-You want me, Sir?

-Yes.

Move in all your men and machinery as close as possible.

We'll open the rocket door from here by remote control.

When the door opens, I want every hose turned full force around that entrance.

-Got it?

-That thing's still as hot as blazes, If you pump water on it...

-Don't argue with me, I know what I'm doing.

-I hope so, Sir.

-Major.

I want this whole field cleared.

-When they come out of the rocket I want absolutely no-one on the field. No-one.

-Don't worry, Sir.

We don't know what condition they'll be in, so get everything out. Oxygen, morphine, glucose...

-Well, now it's up to you.

-Keep your eye on me, I'll give you the signal.

-All set?

-Set, Sir.

-Start it up. Let me know when you're minus ten to pressure.

-Right, Sir.

Minus 10... Nine...

Eight... Seven...

Six... Five...

Four...

Three...

Two...

One...

Zero.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Turn off the water.

-It's Mr Carroon!

-Victor, Victor!

-Get him into the ambulance.

-Darling, darling.

-What about the others?

Green!

Reichenheim!

What happened, sir?

The access chamber to the motors!

Quick, the manual controls.

Where are the others?

Think it'll work?

It's free, sir!

-They're not there.

-What do you mean, they're not there?

-They're not on the rocket, either one of them.

-That's impossible!

-He's right, sir. They've gone.

-The pressure suits!

-Empty.

They're still linked. Helmets are still attached. But they're empty.

-But how could they possibly have got out?

-I'm trying to find out.

-Help bring the camera down.

-Do you think the door opened and they were swept away?

If the door had opened it'd be raised. No, that door has not been opened.

-What is it you're trying to tell me?

-I'm not trying to tell you anything. I'll let the camera do that.

I'm afraid the camera won't tell us anything.

CROWD CHATTER

-Are they all right?

-Something happened, they're not there.

Victor. Where's Green?

Where's Reichenheim? What happened?

-Please, not now.

-Quatermass!

-He's in no condition to talk. He's in a state of shock. He must be treated!

-He's got to talk first.

-He's got to tell me what happened.

-Gordon?

-VICTOR MUMBLES

-What is it, Victor?

What is it?

He said, "Help me."

That's all he said.

"Help me."

-Did you get it?

-Yes, sir.

Good.

SHAVER BUZZES

-It doesn't make me any prettier, but I've got a lunch date with the wife.

-Any special reason?

Her favourite day of the month - pay day. Oh, I'm a big man on pay day.

Yes, sir.

-See the papers?

-Quatermass?

Stirring it up. How dare we take fingerprints from a sick man!

Nothing else I could do! He couldn't talk or answer questions.

Thought we might as well get his prints. You never know.

-No, you never know.

-He's a weird one, all right.

The skin...just like shaking hands with a piece of ice.

Sergeant! That's no way to talk about a public hero!

-KNOCK ON DOOR

-Come in.

-A Mr Quatermass to see you, sir.

-Well, speaking of public heroes.

-All right, wheel him in.

-Yes, sir.

-Quatermass, eh?

This is what's known as penetrating into enemy territory.

-Inspector Lomax?

-I'm Lomax, this is Sergeant Best.

-Seat?

-Inspector, I will not have your men coming into my research centre

and treating Victor Carroon as a criminal. He's a sick man.

-He's been through an ordeal that very few men could survive.

-Two men didn't survive it, did they?

-What exactly do you mean by that?

-I wish you'd sit down.

If I sit and you stand I'm being rude, and I'm longing to sit down.

You see, Mr Quatermass, I'm an old-fashioned sort of chap.

I don't know much about travelling in space. I don't read science fiction, I'm a simple Bible man.

-I have a routine mind and I have to do routine things.

-Such as fingerprinting an unconscious man?

When three men take off in a rocket and only one comes back, in our reckoning that leaves minus two.

So we have to investigate plus one. Whether he's conscious,

unconscious or a gibbering idiot.

Fine. I think I can save you a lot of time, Inspector, with your so-called investigation.

I have here the particulars on all three members of the crew.

Charles Green, Ludwig Reichenheim, Victor Carroon.

You'll find everything there, Inspector.

Medical histories, personal description, academic achievements,

-professional activities, politics, and even fingerprints.

-Why, that's very thoughtful of you.

There's only one investigation likely to serve any good purpose in this situation, Inspector.

That's a scientific one.

I'm sure even you'll agree that between us, I am the best qualified for that. Good day, Inspector.

Well, you might almost say we've been given a rocket.

Yes, sir.

ERRATIC, POUNDING HEARTBEAT

It's unbelievable. It isn't clinically possible that his heart should respond like this.

Pulse, blood pressure, the same, impossibly low.

-He shouldn't be alive, but he is.

-Can't you do something to increase the metabolic rate?

-Tried everything.

-I never knew pressure effects to last this long.

These aren't just pressure effects, it isn't only his face, take a look at his skin.

Anyway, here, on the shoulder. Feel it.

Swollen. Coarsened.

Yes, and that's not all, either. Look at the contours of the face.

You mean the bone structure?

Yes, I could be wrong about a limb, but not about the shape of the bones. There has been a change.

Is he any better?

-He's coming along fine.

-If only he'd say something -

give us a sign that he's thinking, that he knows we're here.

He knows, Judith, he knows we're trying to help him.

-What is happening to him?

-We're trying to find out.

-Shouldn't he be in a hospital?

That's exactly where he should be. Briscoe, I can't take this responsibility any longer,

I haven't got the proper equipment here to do the right tests.

He belongs in a hospital.

I suppose you're right.

I suppose you're both right.

He does belong in a hospital.

But can a hospital do more than you can do?

Would a hospital know what goes on out there in space?

there's a whole new world out there - a wilderness, uncharted.

And he's been there, and come back.

-He's got the map. Unlock his mind for me, Briscoe, and find it, I know you can.

-It isn't just a question of...

I know the strain you've been under, but to stop now when we're on the brink of something tremendous,

the fringe of some great discovery, we can't stop now, Briscoe.

It's our only chance to learn what happened to the others.

-A hospital has the most modern...

-Would they know how to deal with a man exposed to rocket radiation?

-In his bloodstream...

-Or the effects of pressure at 1500 miles up?

-During training, he took seven times the force of gravity without even a headache.

-We know that.

But would a hospital know it?

I'll try another transfusion, see if that will help.

Thanks.

You'll stay with him, won't you, Judith? He needs you.

Victor...

We'll move him into the office, we can make him more comfortable in there. Would you help me, please?

-Of course. Thank you for all you're doing, Gordon.

-Mm? I only wish I could do more.

The solution is elementary, my dear inspector.

Mr Carroon killed the two men, removed their pressure suits,

pushed their bodies into space and linked the suits together again.

-Now, what do you want?

-Two things - I want to return these files - Greene, Reichenheim, Carroon.

-Very interesting.

-Number two?

-I want you to give me your solemn word...

-Inspector, I'm a very busy man.

Look, sir, nobody ever wins a cold war.

One of us had better come over to the other side.

-I'm not proud, I'll come over to yours.

-Solemn word about what?

-That these were Carroon's fingerprints.

-Of course - everybody in the centre gets fingerprinted.

-What are you getting at?

-To be quite honest, I don't quite know, sir.

There's nothing unusual about these.

-These are the fingerprints we took off Carroon last night.

-So?

-Compare them.

-Is this a joke?

-This is no joke, sir.

The man who took those had his training in the fingerprint section.

But these prints aren't even... PHONE RINGS

..human. Yes?

You found what? I'll be right there.

Wherever you're going, I might as well keep you company, mightn't I?

Thank you. That's very nice of you.

Check the safety casing on the wiring. Right there.

-Can you get at it?

-No.

It's right in a crevice. Hand me the sample spoon from my box.

-Any more of that?

-Yes, sir, lots.

On the left. By the rivet frame.

Mind if I have a sample for our people?

Sure, we'll give you a sample.

Briscoe, what do you think it is?

I don't want to think, I want to be sure.

I've been in this thing all night.

-Nice to know that stuff's been around the whole time.

-Lamp.

Have you got the same bright thoughts that I have?

Something happened in here.

Something beyond our understanding at the moment.

-If I only knew where to begin.

-Maybe the film would help.

-Film?

-Yes, the lab should've developed it by now.

-The camera was smashed.

-It was badly damaged, but I managed to get the film out.

-Why didn't you tell me?

-The lab said they didn't know if they could develop it or not.

-They've got to develop it.

-Tell them they've got to develop that film.

-Yes, sir.

-I'll have no delays or excuses.

-Get the best process man in the country, but I've got to have that film.

-Right, sir.

This is one premiere I don't want to miss.

-Well?

-It's harmless, it's organic, it's jelly. End of analogies.

-No definite identification?

-It might conceivably represent the dead remnants of cell tissue.

-What sort of cell tissue?

-Could be animal, could be human.

-Human?

-Could be.

-Do you know what you're saying?

-I know what I'm thinking.

Are you sure it's not some sort of plant cell?

-Positive.

-You're asking me to believe that that is the remains of two human beings?

No. You asked the question, I answered it.

-Does she know?

-No, this is the first sleep she's had in nights.

What about the police analysts, what did they say?

No report through yet.

But I don't doubt it'll be the same.

It's almost beyond human understanding.

Some fantastic, invisible force converted two men...into jelly?

-Is that the slide?

-That's the slide.

I'm about to call it a day, Quatermass.

-Beyond this, I'm a...

-Gordon!

All right, get him up. No, wait a minute.

His hand.

Another change. Get him back to bed.

Look what's happening to his skin in just the last few moments.

I'll go and get him a sedative.

You've done this to him. He'd have been better off if he'd been killed or stayed out there.

-Judith!

-You've destroyed him just like everything else you've touched.

-Destroyed him? I've brought him back, I've saved him.

-For what?

For further experiments? I can help him more than you or anyone.

There's no room for personal feelings in science, Judith.

You should be proud to have a husband who's willing to risk his life for the betterment of the world.

What world? Your world? The world of Quatermass.

I've sent for an ambulance - he's going to the central clinic.

All right, Briscoe, send him to the clinic,

but I want him to have complete isolation. You understand? Complete isolation.

No-one is to see him.

No-one. Until I say so.

We've tried three different grades of stock, developed each one to as high a gamma as possible,

-and still it's made no difference. Look at this, it's grainy and dull...

-All I want is a print.

We don't like any print that isn't up to standard.

-Is there a picture on it?

-There's a picture, but it's dull and grainy...

I don't care how dull and grainy it is, I must have this now.

It could be altitude or an extreme change of temperature, or penetration of cosmic rays.

-I'll tell him that.

-I don't know what the old man will say.

Tell your old man that our old man said if he didn't get this print, he'd dynamite the building.

I can't tell the ministry this, they'll think I've lost my senses.

That's exactly why you must tell them nothing.

Now you see why I must have absolute authority to isolate the room.

But every newspaper has a story on him being admitted to the clinic,

-they'll want to know what's happened to him, and to the others.

-Do you want to tell them?

-Not telling them won't stop the panic.

-So don't start a panic.

-What about the police analysis?

-The same, Mr Blake.

-What's the next move?

-We've agreed to isolation until we know more.

-PHONE RINGS

Yes?

The film is ready.

-See that? It works.

-What works?

-Automatic prism, it cuts in the panel readings.

-Well, is that all?

-Once in the observation zone, the camera is geared to cut out at regularly.

This will be the 0.16 period.

That must be where we lost 'em.

What on earth could have happened?!

Look at that fantastic temperature drop.

Run it again.

He's in surgery. But I'll get word to him as soon as possible.

Yes? What's the name, please?

That's two Ts?

Uh-uh. Yes, I'll see that he gets it.

Yes.

Sorry, Miss, the visiting hours are over.

I just wanted to know how my husband is.

Well, I'll try and find out for you, Miss. What was the name, please?

-Carroon. Victor Carroon.

-Oh.

-He's OK, isn't he?

-Mrs Carroon, I wish I could let you go up,

but we have strict orders...

All I want to know is how is he? Is there any change?

Just a minute.

Hello, Mabel. Alf here. Listen, how is 4B?

I know all about the orders, but I only want you to think out loud.

Thank you, Mabel, thank you.

He's going along about the same, Mrs Carroon, no change, but no worse.

If I could see him, just for a few minutes.

I should be shot at dawn. But don't you worry, he is in good hands.

-They don't leave him alone, do they?

-Oh, not for a moment, Tucker, his night nurse, is with him now,

-and Perkins comes on in about half an hour.

-Could I wait for the night nurse when he comes off duty,

if only to talk to someone who's has been with him? Please.

Tucker comes off in half an hour and nips through the staff entrance.

-Through the door, and it's on the right.

-Thank you.

Wait for him outside, and if they ask me, I never told you nothing.

-There's only the nurse with him. His name's Tucker.

-His name? You mean I've got to flirt with a he?

It's only about half an hour before the relief nurse comes on duty.

-His name is Perkins.

-Money, money, money. Cash before delivery,

-it always gives me more confidence, especially when my investigating is this private.

-Room 4B.

Give me 15 minutes, I'll put him in the lift and send him down, and he's all yours, I never saw you in my...

-Please hurry, he's very sick.

-Don't worry, I'll mother him like a baby.

-You've got to get him.

-Relax, you're shaking the building.

-Evening.

-Hello.

-Evening. I'm from Casualty, Perkins is sick, they sent me to take over his night shift.

-Hi.

I know I'm too honest, but you're not due for another half-hour!

Night shift is night shift, what's a half-an-hour here or there?

-You'll go to heaven for this.

-We should get some fun out of life.

-What's his trouble?

-He doesn't seem to know. He's the star patient.

He just lies and stares, never opens his mouth.

But if it does, press that bell, and quick. Well, happy nightmare.

-Any special instructions?

-They're on the chart. Good night.

-Good night.

News, my friend. Your wife is waiting for you downstairs.

I'm the man who's going to get you out of here. Does that make you happy?

It does? Good. But we don't have too much time, so, up we get.

-Hello.

-Hello.

-What time are you off?

-Ask him whether he's going to...?

-Operating?

-For about three-and-a-half-hours, at least.

-You, too?

-Me, too.

-Chinese restaurant is open till midnight, I'll take you both -

beautiful sweet and sour pork, roast duck, fried shrimps.

You've talked us into it!

There we are. Now, the jacket.

There's a good boy. Can't meet the lady looking sloppy.

It's funny, wives usually employ me to get them away from their husbands.

Oh, you're a sad one.

Well, to each his own.

Hey, steady, steady.

Stay here while Christie goes and gets the lift. Won't be a minute.

All clear. Hey, come on, hurry.

That's the boy. Christie's got you.

What have you got there?

What are you hiding?

What is it?

Victor. Oh, Victor, darling, I've got the car outside.

Please try and be quick.

You can make it, dear.

Everything's going to be all right, Victor.

I'll get you the best treatment, the finest doctors.

I'll get you well and strong, we'll make a new life for ourselves,

away from all of this.

Away from him.

Our life will be our own.

Would you like one?

Victor, I...

Victor...

Your hand... Are you in pain?

Well, this is one case I don't think we'll find listed in forensic medicine.

Looks as though the life was drawn right out of him.

Have the body examined. I'd like the report as soon as possible.

You wouldn't mind if the Home Office pathologist also took a little peep?

-They've picked up Mrs Carroon the other side of town.

-And Carroon?

-No sign of him.

Stupid idiot, trying to take the whole thing into her own hands.

-What did she say?

-She didn't say anything.

Anything about him. She's in a pretty bad state of shock.

-The doctor said she may even go out of her mind.

-Out of her mind about what?

Well, when they found her, she was sitting at the wheel of her car...

and moaning, something about a hand being all grey...

with thorns, like a cactus.

I remember there was a cactus in his room in this pot.

Hello?

Get me Scotland Yard.

'Car 39, car 39, proceed immediately to 34 Main Street

'and investigate report of prowler by resident.

'Maybe Carroon - proceed with caution, car 39...'

'Join river police at Hayes Wharf to search area bounded by...'

TELEPHONE RINGS

'River Patrol 4, River Patrol 4...

'join mobile police at Hayes Wharf to search area bordered

'by Tooley Street, Hayes Lane and Strand Thames.'

'River Patrol 4. Roger. Out.'

This growth on the face - half plant, half...

Look at this!

The whole tissue structure is eaten away. The bone is powder.

Well, that takes care of my supper tonight!

What if there is a form of life in space?

Not on some planet, but just drifting?

Right, nurse.

Not life as we know it.

With intelligence, yes, but pure energy with no organic structure - invisible.

-Invisible?!

-Now, the rocket passed through its path.

It entered the rocket, found living specimens of OUR form of life. Cell organisms - human.

-Green and Reichenheim.

-And Carroon. Exactly.

Now, if, even by accident, it could enter one of those structures,

what a way to invade the Earth!

I'm not over intelligent, but when you...

You saw the film, you know what happened!

Only God knows where and how far that rocket travelled.

-But only two of them died!

-Something got into that rocket!

Took the blood out of the other two and now it's using Carroon!

And it's found other forms of life.

-The cactus.

-You mean Carroon...?

-Is a carrier.

He's now only the shell of a man being transformed.

If the cactus plant was subject to the same mutation, there could be a union between plant and animal.

With the ability to destroy!

-And possess.

-And multiply.

At will.

-Multiply?!

-Yes, but to multiply, first it has to live. And like any living thing, to live...

To live, it must have food.

-I'm sorry, we're closed!

-KNOCKING CONTINUES

All right! Just a minute! Oh, dear...

Look, we only open till...

Hey! Wait a minute!

You can't come into a place like this! Leave those things alone!

What do you think you're doing?!

-HE SOBS

-Are you in pain?

Is it something to do with your arm?

Look, I'll just take a look. I won't hurt it, I promise.

PHONE RINGS

It's all right, love, I'll get it.

HE WHISTLES

Hello? ..Yes, please.

What?! When?

Cordon off the area. Tell Quatermass and Briscoe to meet us there.

Barb?

-Now what?

-I've got to go back.

-But you've only just come in!

They just can't do without me, love!

I don't know why you don't move into the office!

You'd never believe I was there.

-What makes you think I do now?

-Ha ha!

-Have your tea at least.

Haven't got time, love.

The things you do to that poor stomach of yours!

I ought to get you a picnic basket!

What I'm going on is no picnic!

-What about dinner?

-Cook it and keep your fingers crossed!

Bye, love.

-What d'you think he was trying to do?

-I'd like to think kill himself.

-If these were mixed, the normal result would be death in five minutes.

-What?

-What is it?

-I have a bit of a sick feeling it was something to speed up a change going on inside him.

-But Carroon was an engineer! He didn't know anything about chemistry!

-Carroon...didn't know.

-What do you think he was doing here?

-Well...

-We're not certain.

We're not certain about anything with this customer!

Nobody in the street heard anything.

They're all at church or in the local. He must have...

Evans, come in quick, and quiet.

HE PANTS

CHURCH BELLS RING

-There we are!

-SHE HUMS

And there's just the two of us today.

We'll have our own tea-party.

I don't like those other girls anyway. All they do is talk about their new clothes and dolls.

You don't care about those things, do you?

You don't care about new clothes or anything. We're friends.

Now, you sit there and be a good girl while I make the tea.

There's the teapot... there's the cups.

I brought the most delicious cakes and biscuits!

The others never serve anything, but WE do!

Look - aren't they lovely?

-CREAKING

-Don't be frightened. That's only the old rats that live in this old boat.

Now, tea is ready.

Sugar? One?

Two? All right.

Now you may have a cake. This one.

It's filled with jellies.

I like the other one because it's full of chocolate.

Oh! We thought you were rats.

Won't you stay and have tea with us?

We'd very much like you to stay.

You look so tired.

There's plenty, if that's what you're worried about.

And cakes, too.

Go on, Dolly - you ask him.

-IN DOLL'S VOICE

-Please, won't you have tea and cakes with us?

We would like you to stay very much.

And you may have the cake that has all the chocolate inside.

HE WHIMPERS

Yes? What time was this?

Was it an eyewitness?

-I see.

-We're doing fine - he's been positively seen in Liverpool, Margate, Ostend and the Orkneys!

Yes? Yes. The Deptford area?

-What?

-A kid told her mother... Yes?

About two hours ago? Hold it, please.

-A kid got her doll broken by a man down by some derelict boats near Deptford.

-So it had to be Carroon?

Deptford said the description could fit Carroon.

Oh right? Well, that's why there's a police station at Deptford!

Thank you, Deptford. Keep us informed.

Mobile - there's a Deptford alert on Carroon.

Yes, I know it is - so your boys can have another little drive!

Cover derelict boats, warehouses and bomb shelters.

All right, so do it again!

Where is he getting food?

No, no, shut up, Simba - you've had your dinner, it's time to go to bed!

Go on - off you go! Go on, don't stand there bleating at me - off you go to bed.

Goodnight, fellas! Sleep well!

Hello, Joey! You know something?

Could have sworn I saw you having tea in a cafe this afternoon!

Turned out to be a customer, though!

MONKEY SCREECHES

GROWLING

ANIMALS CALL OUT

ANIMALS GROW AGITATED

GROWLING AND SNARLING

This is exactly as the keeper found them when he came on duty.

-Are there others?

-Yes, over here.

We found three more outside the Antelope House.

-Well, what was left of them.

-Look!

-Look at that - complete absorption this time.

-That's what I've been afraid of.

Inspector, get this place closed and everybody out.

Quickly and quietly. No panic, no excitement.

Close the whole place?

Sir, we know what we're doing. Just tell your men to co-operate, please.

I don't understand. What's happening, anyway? What killed these animals?

You'd better say natural causes for now.

-Sorry, ma'am. We're closed this morning.

-But we've come all the way from Epping!

Sorry, ma'am, we're not open this morning.

-And this afternoon?

-I wish I could tell you.

Sorry, folks, zoo closed. I'm very sorry, but we're closed.

-Closed?

-Very sorry.

Quatermass! Inspector!

-What is it?

-It was here.

Look at this.

-It's alive!

-Looks pretty horrible, doesn't it!

-Quick, the sample box!

Well, what manner or shape of thing do we look for now?

You'll know it when you see it. Just send your men out with a prayer that we find it in time.

It's almost too terrifying to think about.

In less than 12 minutes, every animal completely absorbed,

except one. Gone, like quicksand.

But this quicksand knows what it's doing.

-It's trebled its size in an hour.

-Do you know what this means?

This is only a fragment of the main organism.

If the same thing is happening to him at the same rate of speed, if absorbing those mice can do this...

no living thing on Earth stands a chance against it.

How do we fight it? How do we stop it?

Hands off me, young man!

Please remember that I've come here of my own accord!

-Yes.

-I come here to complain about something I saw.

-You keep saying that...

I refuse to divulge it to any common constable

who has nothing else to do all day but to sit on his big flat fleet...

on his big fat fleet...

Now, come on, Rosie, old girl...

Don't you "old girl" me!

I'm young enough to be your mother!

-Although what respectable woman would want to be, I don't know.

-All right, ma'am.

Here! I come in here of my own free will!

I come here of my own vole... violition.

And very glad we are to see you. What can we do for you?

I wish to make a report.

Miss Rosemary...Elizabeth...

Wrigley. What address this week?

I'm temporarily visiting.

-Bow Street?

-With friends.

Salvation Army, Embankment. What did you see this time, Rosie?

It was terrible.

-Shocking.

-I know. It always is. Just tell me what you saw.

It's a bit of a thing if a young woman can't walk the streets of London

without creepy-crawlies running about as they please!

What's the police for if not to protect us from the likes of that?

-Go on, tell me. Tell me, what's the police for?

-Rosie! Rosie,

just tell me what you saw. And we, of the London Metropolitan Police,

will do all in our power to see it doesn't occur again.

My voice went so dry that I couldn't even yell for a copper.

I've still got this awful thirst.

It makes it hard to remember.

And water makes me as sick as a baby.

It'd better be worthwhile, Rosie. ..After you tell me.

I was sitting in a doorway, because I wasn't feeling so well.

The doctor says that too much walking's bad for my legs.

-It's my legs, you see.

-You were sitting in a doorway.

Just for a minute or two. When suddenly I heard a...

-kind of rustling, it was.

-Rustling?

So I looked. There, at the end of the street,

I saw something move.

-Something enormous.

-What moved, Rosie?

I couldn't make out the shape properly. I usually make out the shape of these things.

Think carefully, Rosie.

Was it...? This something, was it walking quickly or slowly?

Walking? It was kind of crawling.

Up on a wall.

It wasn't like any of the things I see on Saturday nights.

I think this time you really saw it.

Get me the Yard. Cancel it! This is priority.

I'm very sorry. You mean this time it's not a hallu...

-it's not a gin goblin?

-No, Rosie. This time it was real.

Really?

It's my legs!

Hello? Scotland Yard?

Yes, Inspector Lomax, please.

Lomax here.

Yes?

Say that again?

Get the commissioner right away.

PHONE RINGS

Hello? Yes.

Yes?

We'll be right there.

Lomax.

He said to find a brick wall 30 feet high.

There's no doubt at all he was here.

Quite recently, too. The trail ends on the wall.

Let me have that case up here.

Get him his case, Sergeant. It's in the car.

Use the car radio. I want a cordon round the entire area. Evacuate all public.

-Check out every movement that's likely to take place inside this radius tonight.

-Yes, sir.

Warn everyone not to touch anything unusual they may find in the streets and gardens.

Warn the children especially.

It's got out?

-Look at the size of it now!

-It's out for food. Those mice.

Here.

Yes. Don't touch it! Look at those sporangias. Spore-producing patches.

If it had completed this reproductive cycle, this room would have be full of tendrils.

How many more of these things are there?

Better phone Lomax. It's not a question of how many, but where?

If it can reproduce at this rate, another 24 hours, a few days...

Get me Scotland Yard quickly.

Suppose it had reached the mice?

Yes...yes, of course.

-The commissioner.

-They're getting him, sir.

-Right.

Get hold of Evans. I want him to get out an anti-panic statement.

-I want it broadcast, televised, and printed in all the nationals.

-Yes, sir.

Yes? I want every man in the metropolitan area.

Immediate search of parks, fields, undergrounds and subways.

It's the Quatermass Experiment. You'll have to take it to top level.

I need troops and the civil defence.

Yes, sir, I'll be right up.

NO SOUND

This is all we need to start the programme with a swing.

-What's he talking about?

-No-one must touch anything unusual they find in the streets.

Don't panic. Inform the nearest police station.

They've been putting it out all day on the radio.

Westminster Abbey? Yes?

Standing by. Opening announcement coming up.

OK. Stand by, cameras.

All right, camera one. Titles are in.

We'll be on you in five seconds.

Four, three, two, one...

On you, camera one! Where are you?

Right, quick. Take over, camera two. On you instead.

-What's that? What's happened?

-Looks like a body.

Kill transmission!

Lime Grove? Fill in, will you? I'll get back as soon as possible.

-Tell Presentation.

-Hello?

What goes on here?

He fell from the scaffolding.

-Slipped?

-Dead before he fell.

Dead before he fell?

-Sweep this up.

-I shouldn't, unless you have a strong stomach.

Better get the police.

-Yes, get the police.

-Well, shall we go on with the programme?

-It's up to you, sir.

-I'm all right.

We'd better carry on in another part of the abbey.

Pull that lot in over here, will you? Get a blanket and cover him up.

Come on, quick.

-It's Quatermass.

-Right.

All right, I want the whole abbey cleared. Public, clergy, everyone.

-Quick.

-Please, there's a transmission going on!

-It's coming off.

I want you all out. Every second may count.

Inspector, not in front of the cameras.

-This is going all over England!

-Listen, it's an emergency.

-Get this stopped.

-I can't stop it!

-Where's your producer?

-On the truck.

..hidden under layers of paint and aged by the dust of time...

Ring for reinforcements.

Camera two, stand by on stained-glass window.

Camera three on scaffolding. Hold it.

-I'm Inspector Lomax. Get your people out of the abbey.

-To you, camera three.

-Everyone in there is in deadly danger!

-We're on transmission!

Coming to camera one. Pan up as high as you can. Now...

What in the name of...?!

It must be 20 feet across!

Kill transmission.

Camera one, hold that shot and lock off, then everybody out!

Hello? Hello, Presentation?

Carry on as best you can. We can't go on here.

Yes. Yes, fill in, will you?

Quatermass, quick, in the truck.

At the Abbey. There's an emergency.

You saw it? We don't know what it is.

Same pattern as the one in the lab.

Only 20 times the power of reproduction.

If those nodules spore, nothing will stop them.

They'll break out and spread by the million in the air and wind.

-How long before it reproduces again?

-80 or 90 minutes. Within hours, for every one there'll be a million.

-It's coming lower.

-We must stop it.

-We'll need a miracle now!

-We'll get flame-throwers.

-Parts may escape. All of it must be killed!

-Dynamite.

-That would only spread it further.

-It's stopped moving!

It's barely pulsating now.

-Our timing was out. It's in its last dormant stages, just before it reproduces.

-It's changing again!

The beginning of new spore-producing zones - dozens.

The way it's hanging round the scaffolding!

Let's go. I think we can stop it.

-What now, Professor?

-That scaffolding inside. I want to run cables to it,

then tap the main power line with enough current to burn it up.

Keep pouring current through it to melt it right down to the ground.

-The abbey!

-I want all the current in London diverted here.

-You'll bring the city to a standstill!

If that thing spores before we kill it, you won't have a city.

I hope you're right. I just hope you're right!

BELL TOLLS

-TANNOY:

-'Attention, everybody. Attention, everybody.

'There is no cause for alarm.

'I repeat, there is no cause for alarm.

'Please do not run.

'Unless you have official business in this vicinity, please disperse.

'Go back to your homes.

'There is nothing to see. Go back to your homes.'

Hello, Battersea? Stand by.

Switch on.

SCREECHING

Well, this time you won.

In my simple Bible way, I did a lot of praying.

One world at a time's good enough for me.

Can we ease it all up now, sir?

Is it all right, sir?

Quatermass, why wasn't I involved with all this?!

I've only just heard, sir. I'd have been here sooner.

Is there anything I can do?

Yes, Mark, I'm going to need some help.

-Help, sir? What are you going to do?

-I'm going to start again.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd