Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films that began in the 1950s, has died at the age of 84.
Pioneering screenwriter Nigel Kneale, best known for the Quatermass TV serials and films that began in the 1950s, has died at the age of 84.
He died in a London hospital after a period of ill health, his agent said.
He died in a London hospital after a period of ill health, his agent said.
Kneale's The Quatermass Experiment in 1953 was the UK's first sci-fi serial and created its first TV hero, the alien-battling Bernard Quatermass.
Kneale's The Quatermass Experiment in 1953 was the UK's first sci-fi serial and created its first TV hero, the alien-battling Bernard Quatermass.
The writer, from the Isle of Man, has been cited as an influence by Stephen King and film-maker John Carpenter.
The writer, from the Isle of Man, has been cited as an influence by Stephen King and film-maker John Carpenter.
The Quatermass Experiment told the story of an alien monster brought back to Earth by a British space rocket.
The Quatermass Experiment told the story of an alien monster brought back to Earth by a British space rocket.
Robert Simpson, on Hammer Films' official website, said it was "event television, emptying the streets and pubs for the six weeks of its duration".
Robert Simpson, on Hammer Films' official website, said it was "event television, emptying the streets and pubs for the six weeks of its duration".
Last year BBC Four broadcast a live remake starring David Tennant and Jason Flemyng.
Last year BBC Four broadcast a live remake starring David Tennant and Jason Flemyng.
Channel controller Janice Hadlow described the original as "one of the first 'must watch' TV experiences that inspired the water cooler chat of its day".
Channel controller Janice Hadlow described the original as "one of the first 'must watch' TV experiences that inspired the water cooler chat of its day".
It was followed by two further serials in the 1950s, Quatermass II and Quatermass and the Pit, with all three dramas later turned into films. A fourth serial, Quatermass, was made in 1979.
It was followed by two further serials in the 1950s, Quatermass II and Quatermass and the Pit, with all three dramas later turned into films. A fourth serial, Quatermass, was made in 1979.
Shocking
Shocking
Kneale also scripted TV dramas including 1984, The Year of the Sex Olympics and The Stone Tape, which are regarded as modern classics.
Kneale also scripted TV dramas including 1984, The Year of the Sex Olympics and The Stone Tape, which are regarded as modern classics.
His 1954 adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 was so shocking that questions were asked in the House of Commons about the suitability of such material for television.
His 1954 adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 was so shocking that questions were asked in the House of Commons about the suitability of such material for television.
The Year of the Sex Olympics, made in 1968, imagined a future in which the public are subjugated by reality TV which places volunteers in a remote house and monitors their every move.
Quatermass and the Pit is thought by many the best of the seriesThe Year of the Sex Olympics, made in 1968, imagined a future in which the public are subjugated by reality TV which places volunteers in a remote house and monitors their every move.
Kneale earned two Bafta best screenplay nominations for his film adaptations of John Osborne's plays Look Back in Anger and The Entertainer.
Kneale earned two Bafta best screenplay nominations for his film adaptations of John Osborne's plays Look Back in Anger and The Entertainer.
He continued working until the late 1990s, writing Sharpe's Gold and episodes of Kavanagh QC.
He continued working until the late 1990s, writing Sharpe's Gold and episodes of Kavanagh QC.
His wife Judith Kerr is the creator of the Mog children's books.
His wife Judith Kerr is the creator of the Mog children's books.
The couple had two children: Matthew Kneale, who won the Whitbread Book of the Year award for his novel English Passengers, and Tacy Kneale, a special effects designer who has worked on the Harry Potter films.
The couple had two children: Matthew Kneale, who won the Whitbread Book of the Year award for his novel English Passengers, and Tacy Kneale, a special effects designer who has worked on the Harry Potter films.
Share your memories of the work of Nigel Kneale and your reaction to his death using the post form below.
Share your memories of the work of Nigel Kneale and your reaction to his death using the post form below.
Nigel Kneale was the founding father of quality sci-fi TV. The fact that 50 years on Quatermass is still reverently spoken of says it all. He will be sorely missed, yet leaves behind a wonderful legacy. My thoughts are with his family and friends.Mark Jobson, Edinburgh, Scotland
Nigel Kneale was the founding father of quality sci-fi TV. The fact that 50 years on Quatermass is still reverently spoken of says it all. He will be sorely missed, yet leaves behind a wonderful legacy. My thoughts are with his family and friends.Mark Jobson, Edinburgh, Scotland
One of my earliest memories as a child was my dad telling me about Quatermass, and how the whole country seemed to stop for it...
One of my earliest memories as a child was my dad telling me about Quatermass, and how the whole country seemed to stop for it...
Only last week me and some friends held a Quatermass night; the plots, if not the special effects, still hold up remarkably. Even though he hated science fiction per se, I'll never forget how he summed up the first three serials...
Only last week me and some friends held a Quatermass night; the plots, if not the special effects, still hold up remarkably. Even though he hated science fiction per se, I'll never forget how he summed up the first three serials...
1. We go to them... 2. They come to us... 3. They have always been here...!Martin Winchester, Liverpool
1. We go to them... 2. They come to us... 3. They have always been here...!Martin Winchester, Liverpool
Another one of my personal heroes gone. I don't think that his influence on TV drama in the UK has yet been fully realised, but I don't think it's overstating the case to say that Nigel Kneale pretty much invented popular drama on British television.
Another one of my personal heroes gone. I don't think that his influence on TV drama in the UK has yet been fully realised, but I don't think it's overstating the case to say that Nigel Kneale pretty much invented popular drama on British television.
These pioneering television writers truly are a dying breed and, maybe we don't all realise it yet, but we will miss them. Good on you, and thanks for the memories.Martin, High Peak, UK
These pioneering television writers truly are a dying breed and, maybe we don't all realise it yet, but we will miss them. Good on you, and thanks for the memories.Martin, High Peak, UK
The world is poorer for the passing of Nigel Kneale. He was a pioneer, a modern day prophet and hugely influential. The Year of the Sex Olympics was originally a prediction of what might happen in the future. Today it is a chilling parody of reality television. The collapse of society so clearly detailed in the final Quatermass story is a warning to us all.Jamie Dowling, Birmingham, England
The world is poorer for the passing of Nigel Kneale. He was a pioneer, a modern day prophet and hugely influential. The Year of the Sex Olympics was originally a prediction of what might happen in the future. Today it is a chilling parody of reality television. The collapse of society so clearly detailed in the final Quatermass story is a warning to us all.Jamie Dowling, Birmingham, England
Landmark TV - never to be forgotten series. John Rowney, Chesterfield
Landmark TV - never to be forgotten series. John Rowney, Chesterfield
This is extremely sad news. His seminal Quatermass science fiction serials, particular the BBC trilogy, are still unsurpassed in the history of British broadcasting. Seeing them again on the recently issued DVD set is a reminder of a remarkable creative talent.
This is extremely sad news. His seminal Quatermass science fiction serials, particular the BBC trilogy, are still unsurpassed in the history of British broadcasting. Seeing them again on the recently issued DVD set is a reminder of a remarkable creative talent.
Other works such as his adaptation of 1984, The Year of the Sex Olympics and the remarkable The Stone Tape are enduring testaments to a pioneer of television drama. His admirers will cherish his memory and watch again the works he wrote at the height of his imaginative powers.James Conway, London, UK
Other works such as his adaptation of 1984, The Year of the Sex Olympics and the remarkable The Stone Tape are enduring testaments to a pioneer of television drama. His admirers will cherish his memory and watch again the works he wrote at the height of his imaginative powers.James Conway, London, UK
I remember my Dad telling me how he went to the doctor suffering from palpitations and lack of sleep during the Quatermass series. Turned out he was suffering from stress due to the scary nature of the programme! Now that's quality writing.Essex Havard, Cardiff, Wales
I remember my Dad telling me how he went to the doctor suffering from palpitations and lack of sleep during the Quatermass series. Turned out he was suffering from stress due to the scary nature of the programme! Now that's quality writing.Essex Havard, Cardiff, Wales
A true genius of TV, I only met him once at a screening of Quatermass and the Pit and he seemed a humble man that was just doing a job, but I believe TV as we know it would not be the same without him.DOMINIC FARNWORTH, UNITED KINGDOM
A true genius of TV, I only met him once at a screening of Quatermass and the Pit and he seemed a humble man that was just doing a job, but I believe TV as we know it would not be the same without him.DOMINIC FARNWORTH, UNITED KINGDOM
Directly responsible for some of the greatest television ever, indirectly responsible for most of the rest... he will be missed but never forgotten.James Hadwen, Nr Norwich
Directly responsible for some of the greatest television ever, indirectly responsible for most of the rest... he will be missed but never forgotten.James Hadwen, Nr Norwich
Anyone who believes this man was just a writer of great television should unearth his novelization of the 1979 version of Quatermass - Kneale had an incredible command of language, wrapped around an insightful understanding of dynamics and reactions of society, even in a sci-fi setting.
Anyone who believes this man was just a writer of great television should unearth his novelization of the 1979 version of Quatermass - Kneale had an incredible command of language, wrapped around an insightful understanding of dynamics and reactions of society, even in a sci-fi setting.
Simply put, Kneale shaped and influenced the tone and intelligence of science fiction in this country, from the 70s' Doctor Who through 80s' The Day of the Triffids to 90s' Ultraviolet. RIP Nigel, you'll be missed.Leonard Sultana, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
Simply put, Kneale shaped and influenced the tone and intelligence of science fiction in this country, from the 70s' Doctor Who through 80s' The Day of the Triffids to 90s' Ultraviolet. RIP Nigel, you'll be missed.Leonard Sultana, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
The Year of the Sex Olympics is scarily accurate about the whole reality TV craze - predicting where Big Brother and the like will eventually end up. At the time (1970?) it must have seemed totally outlandish - now it looks prescient.
The Year of the Sex Olympics is scarily accurate about the whole reality TV craze - predicting where Big Brother and the like will eventually end up. At the time (1970?) it must have seemed totally outlandish - now it looks prescient.
Also don't forget Beasts - another example of just how well he could write for TV.Mark Phillips, London, United Kingdom
Also don't forget Beasts - another example of just how well he could write for TV.Mark Phillips, London, United Kingdom
He also wrote the interesting series of plays, Beasts, and the offbeat SF sitcom Kinvig, both now happily on DVD. To compare his stuff to Doctor Who is a bit misleading: his work was more serious in intent and execution, strong science fiction rather than family adventure.Jason Mills, Accrington, UK
He also wrote the interesting series of plays, Beasts, and the offbeat SF sitcom Kinvig, both now happily on DVD. To compare his stuff to Doctor Who is a bit misleading: his work was more serious in intent and execution, strong science fiction rather than family adventure.Jason Mills, Accrington, UK
What better way to celebrate the remarkable work and life of Nigel Kneale by finally releasing the restored version of his 1954 screenplay of Orwell's 1984.
What better way to celebrate the remarkable work and life of Nigel Kneale by finally releasing the restored version of his 1954 screenplay of Orwell's 1984.
Together with Rudolph Cartier he created the genre of Telefantasy and two of the still most talked about BBC dramas from the 1950s.Clive Shaw, Stockholm, Sweden
Together with Rudolph Cartier he created the genre of Telefantasy and two of the still most talked about BBC dramas from the 1950s.Clive Shaw, Stockholm, Sweden
Kneale was a true literary genius, a godfather of television science fiction with an eerie ability to portend future developments with his provoking, brilliant and challenging plays.
Kneale was a true literary genius, a godfather of television science fiction with an eerie ability to portend future developments with his provoking, brilliant and challenging plays.
His influence was felt across everything from Doctor Who to The X Files, and without Quatermass we probably wouldn't have had Hammer Horror either. Television is suddenly so less satisfying without him.Robert J.E. Simpson, Belfast, Northern Ireland
His influence was felt across everything from Doctor Who to The X Files, and without Quatermass we probably wouldn't have had Hammer Horror either. Television is suddenly so less satisfying without him.Robert J.E. Simpson, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Although he loathed Doctor Who, I think Kneale was quietly proud that his work had inspired other creations. Without a doubt a pioneer of TV writing and broadcasting, he should be up there with Dennis Potter.David Foxen, Emsworth, UK
Although he loathed Doctor Who, I think Kneale was quietly proud that his work had inspired other creations. Without a doubt a pioneer of TV writing and broadcasting, he should be up there with Dennis Potter.David Foxen, Emsworth, UK
Nigel Kneale was, in my opinion, Britain's greatest and most original screenwriter and as I had the privilege of meeting him once I'll add that he was a thoroughly pleasant and charming bloke too.Bill, London, UK
Nigel Kneale was, in my opinion, Britain's greatest and most original screenwriter and as I had the privilege of meeting him once I'll add that he was a thoroughly pleasant and charming bloke too.Bill, London, UK
I remember him appearing at a special screening of Quatermass at the BFI in London in the late 80s and he received a warm greeting from fans, but I feel he never really received the recognition he truly deserved from the industry he gave so much to or for the way he managed to predict what television would become. What a great creative imagination has been lost with his passing.Jackie, Nottingham UK
I remember him appearing at a special screening of Quatermass at the BFI in London in the late 80s and he received a warm greeting from fans, but I feel he never really received the recognition he truly deserved from the industry he gave so much to or for the way he managed to predict what television would become. What a great creative imagination has been lost with his passing.Jackie, Nottingham UK
