Quatermass and the Pit (1967)

Routine construction work at Hobbs End unearths some unusual human-like fossils. Quatermass is eventually called and soon finds himself at loggerheads with the military. Plus, the application of scientific method in supernatural matters leaves him perturbed. Not to worry, because, while many of the FX are rubbish, there's some quality plot to keep him occupied.
Andrew Keir takes on the Professor's role. No disrespect to Brian Donlevy but Keir's more likeable and sympathetic portrayal is a lot better suited to the character in this particular instance. Overall, it feels like a really good Classic era Doctor Who episode that's been given the Hammer Studios treatment.

4 dormant faculties out of 5

Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966)

It's the fourth of Hammer's vampire films but it begins by showing the ending of their first (1958), so if you haven't seen it consider doing so because the ending is the best part. PoD is set a decade later.
Christopher Lee returns to the Dracula role, so expectation is high, but he doesn't have much to say; and by 'much' I mean anything at all! He hisses but no words come out. It's not the handicap it may sound, because Lee's screen presence is so strong that all he needs to do is look the part and the illusion is sustained. In some areas it sacrifices logic for drama, but it's Hammer drama! I loved how when he walks across a room he goes into and out of shadow.

4 deathly pleasures out of 5

Daleks' Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D. (1966)

Peter Cushing's second outing as the Doctor is only slightly better than his first adventure. Cushing doesn't attempt to expand the nuances of his character whatsoever, so it's left to the villains to bring anything interesting to the table. Those villains are once again the Daleks; although they're slightly more threatening this time, as are the Nazi-style militant underlings they control. Unfortunately, any kind of atmosphere built up by the mechanical menaces is destroyed frequently by the awful music that seems to have been left over from a BBC sit-com.

2 motorised dustbins out of 5

Cleopatra (1963)

It’s everything they say it is: expensive, opulent, historically inaccurate, self-indulgent and melodramatic eye-candy. Cut down from an eight hour work print it’s a wonder it makes any sense at all, but it does and it’s beautiful. They really don’t make ‘em like this any more (probably because it’s the most expensive movie ever made and almost bankrupt 20th Century Fox). The recent blu-ray delivers a 251 minute cut in stunning 1080p, which may be the longest we’ll ever see commercially unless some new footage turns up.

5 gilded histories out of 5