Quatermass 2

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Year:	1957
Country of origin:	UK
Director:	Val Guest
Genre:	Sci-fi paranoia, Hammer style
Starring:	Brian Donlevy, John Longden,Sid James
Rating:	5/5
IMDB link:	http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050873/
Tagline:	A horrible enemy from the unknown strikes terror across the earth!
Favourite line:	"Look at those enormous domes."

Hammer's movie version of the BBC sci-fi serial is utterly stunning.

The plot:
Professor Quatermass is very annoyed that his initial proposals to colonise the moon have fallen on deaf ears, grumbling and muttering his discontent, but his attention is diverted when a steady stream of meteorites is detected crash landing in rural England, meteorites that seem to occur with monotonous regularity. Heading to investigate, Quatermass discovers the landing site, several meteorites present but, when one is investigated by his companion, it bursts open, spraying noxious gas into his face, blistering instantly. At that moment, a convoy of military sorts arrives, wielding weapons. Talking them down, Quatermass investigates further, discovering a project that bears alarming resemblance to his moon colony scheme, though this time it is alleged the project is to create synthetic food to feed the world.
But, if that is the case, why are they producing huge amounts of ammonia?
And why does it seem there is an alien lifeform inhabiting the domes?

Spooky, with a level of sinister dread that modern sci-fi/horror can only dream of, this is the stuff of nightmares. Yes, the budget is low and, yes, the production values suffer as a result, but this is the product of a fertile imagination and a blatant desire to create something new, something fresh.
Watching it now, it is truly hard to believe that this is a movie made in the 50's, even taking into account the clunky acting style and black and white filming.
It is also worth noting the direct influence the TV show this was based on, as well as the movie version itself, would have on Doctor Who, particularly the early Pertwee era. I'm thinking Spearhead from Space and Ambassadors of Death for those in the know.
As good as anything else Hammer ever produced and, frankly, as a lifelong devotee of both horror and sci-fi, about as good as either genre ever manages, this is creepy and intense viewing that should be more renowned than it is.
Excellent.