The Halfmen

Andre Morell stars as Professor Quatermass in this classic sci-fi series, written by Nigel Kneale. Originally broadcast live by the BBC in 1958, the series made a big impression on the creators of Doctor Who, and has been cited as a major influence by author Stephen King and film director John Carpenter.

During excavation work at a building site in Hobbs Lane, London, workmen discover a skull and other fossilised bones. But are they really remains from a five million-year-old skeleton as claimed by Dr Roney, or something altogether more sinister? Meanwhile, Professor Quatermass, head of The Rocket Group, is resisting government plans to install missiles on the Moon, in a menacing project known as the Dead Man’s Deterrent. (1958)