Quatermass Memoirs, The cover art

Quatermass Memoirs, The

Classic Radio Sci-Fi

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About this listen

 In the 1950s, the British public was gripped by three adult-oriented BBC science-fiction serials which became the keystone and benchmark for the genre on television. In many ways Professor Bernard Quatermass symbolised an era in which pioneering scientific discoveries encouraged both the hopes and the fears of a nation. Mixing extracts from the original BBC TV series with archive footage of real-life news events, interwoven with Nigel Kneales's narration and original drama segments, The Quatermass Memoirs looks at the genesis of the series, and how it was very much a product of its time. Now retired and living in the north of Scotland, Bernard Quatermass wants only to be left alone - but when a keen young reporter turns up at his door, for how long wil he manage to remain guarded about his past adventures?©2006 BBC Audiobooks Ltd; (P)2006 BBC Audiobooks Ltd Entertainment & Performing Arts Science Fiction
All stars
Most relevant
If you are expecting a story, this is not it.It is more like a commentary track with a odd melding of original story, a new 'retrospective' from Quatermass, and the original writers historical commentary on the origins of the ideas.

Oh, and if I hear Holst's "Bringer of War" one more time...

hmmm

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Loved the narration and how it brought the characters and scenes to life. Very vividly.

Great radio play

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This BBC radio production takes an interesting approach to adapting old TV sci fi. For the 'lost' Dr Who TV stories the Beeb took the original sound tracks (mostly recorded by fans) and produced new scene naration by original cast members. In practise what we got was a lot of old people doing dull audio description in the present tense. Certainly an accquired taste!
For Quatermass we have a mix of the original sound tracks, character naration and writer Nigel Kneales commentary on world events at the time of the TV broadcasts. This appraoch generally works very well. Occassionally the naration has to gloss over vast chunks of the story. This is frustrating and had the effect of throwing me out of the story.
By far the best part of the whole thing are Nigel Kneales fascinating 'real world' contributions, particulalry on the racial elements of 'Quatermass and the Pit'.
This is an very interesting production but I felt that it lacked something overall. There is certainly plenty to enjoy, but some of the story telling doesn't totaly work, at least it didn't for me. If you are a fan of BBC sci fi or old telly then add an extra star.

An interesting approach

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Was always a fan if the first Quatermass story, and movie. This is a nice little self congratulatory piece you would expect from classic sci fi originators.

Was always a little disappointed that the BBC lost the original series episodes with Reginald Tate (easily the best quatermass)

But this is decent. If forgettable.

Cool historical piece

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Excellent book, as Andrew Keir played Quatermass in Hammer films Quaternass and the pit,a true classic.

Brilliant story.

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