The Reptile (Blu-ray + DVD) [1966]

In my opinion, "The Reptile" is one of the Hammer studio's most enduring and entertaining offerings. It was directed back-to-back with (the equally excellent) "Plague of the Zombies" in 1966 and it really is a most enjoyable viewing experience.

The story concerns a married couple who move to a remote Cornish village. They are immediately shunned by the locals, and the whole village is clouded by a glum atmosphere and an overall sense of dread. Sinister things have been occurring in the village - namely, locals dying with mysterious bite-marks on their necks. Who...or WHAT...is responsible for these killings??

And so, the scene is set for...THE REPTILE!

When Hammer studios were on form, they were hard to beat, and this movie is a supreme example of Hammer GETTING IT RIGHT. Although Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee are sadly not present, we do get to see Hammer regular Michael Ripper playing an innkeeper (and also sporting an amusing beard). Noel Willman is also excellent as the plummy, tight-lipped Dr. Franklyn. Happily, we also get to see the delectable Jacqueline Pearce who puts in a fine performance as Dr Franklyn's daughter, Anna.

Scenes worthy of mention include the first on-screen sighting of the actual reptile (half-snake / half-woman = CREEPY). It is genuinely a "jump-out-of-your-seat" moment. Rather shocking, to say the least. Another superb scene involves Dr Franklyn smashing his daughter's sitar to pieces in a blind rage - it's a hilarious piece of campy 60's cinema! Oh, and in true Hammer tradition, everything bursts into flames at the end of the movie.

"The Reptile" may not be as widely known as Hammer's Frankenstein / Dracula offerings but it is definitely one of their most satisfying movies. It is charming, chuckle-inducing and even occasionally chilling. In other words, it is vintage horror.

Okay, here comes the cliche - They don't make 'em like THIS anymore.

The thing about all the Hammer House of Horrors films, they all keep you guessing at the reason for the strange deaths or whatever is happening, and you aren't told until the very llast few scenes what has actually happened. Although this can get a bit annoying at times, generally it's a good way to present a film, and with this one is no acception, running pretty much like a murder mystery thriller.

When a man is mysteriously found dead his brother and his new wife come to live in his old house. They find that the town is very stange and there are whole load of other mysterious deaths, just like the mans brothers'. Along with the owner of the local pub, he is determined to find out the cause.

The acting in this film is pretty good all round really. Noel Willman is especially sinister (and rather scary) as Dr. Franklyn, while Ray Barrett and Jennifer Daniel play the troubled young couple who live in the cottage on the moor.

Overall this brilliantly directed film, while not as scary as some others in the Hammer House Of Horrors series is still very entertaining, and will appeal to horror fans and film fans alike. Definately a film to watch at night with the lights turned off.

Hammer was a class act. They gave us great films, with lush attention to settings, costumes and location shooting. They gave you incisive writing, witty dialogue (well, most of the time) and they are unsurpassed for creating atmosphere. They made screen legends out of Lee and Cushing, and brought old horror tells into vivid colour, with plenty of sexy-babes around to please the lads. For some reason, The Reptile, one of their better efforts works, tends to go unnoticed or dismissed. Could it be because of the "creature" was a mere female instead of the tall dashing Lee?

Well, now that time has passed, people can rediscover this classy Hammer tale. The Reptile (like the old grade C class The Alligator People) rather lets the cat out of the bag as soon as the title is flashed. However, stick with the tale and enjoy
Hammer's gorgeous lensing, and excellent location work. Directed by John Gilling (who directed Lee in Hammer's Pirated of Blood River and a pairing of Lee and Cushing in The Gorgon - two other overlook great films) and written by Anthony Hinds, who pens such other stylish Hammer classics (The Brides of Dracula, the Curse of the Werewolf, Kiss of the Vampire), The Reptile is a moody film. Ray Barrett and Jennifer Daniel play Harry George Spalding and his wife Valerie, a young couple who inherits the husband's cottage in Cornwall, England after his uncle's mysterious death. Michael Ripper, the perpetual also ran of Horror, does a fine character role as the tavern owner who helps them. No sooner than they unpack, they learn a serial killer has been murdering villagers and likely killed Harry's uncle. The film suffers from the obvious, we know there is a Reptile, so the impact is blunted from the start.

Shot back-to-back with the Plague of the Zombies, if you are familiar with one film, and watch the other, you will recognise the same village for the shoot. It builds suspense in an understated fashion, creating really spooky atmosphere. I think this leisurely pace causing some to dismiss this worthwhile film, while those with a more discerning taste will enjoy the non-hysterical approach.