While this is considered one of Hammer Studios lesser efforts it's still better than most horror films made in the last 25 years or so. I'll take a so-so Hammer film over most Hollywood junk any day, but this is not a so-so film. It's a well made horror film that I recommend to all. Story is about a young couple who come to live in a small village but are unaware that several strange deaths have been occurring and the people who live there are not hospitable to strangers. Harry Spalding (Ray Barrett) and his wife Valerie (Jennifer Daniel) arrive to claim his brothers home after he dies but are met by unfriendly townspeople. The only person to act friendly is the owner of the tavern Tom Bailey (Michael Ripper). They fix up the house and one day they meet Dr. Franklyn (Noel Willman) who asks if anyone has seen his daughter Anna. They haven't but Anna (Jacqueline Pearce) does pop up later and invites the Spalding's over for dinner. At dinner Harry and Valerie notice that Dr. Franklyn has an East Indian named Malay (Marne Maitland) living with him and together they both have a strong hold over everything Anns does or says. Later that night at the Spalding's home Valerie has lost her cat so Harry goes back over to Dr. Franklyn's to find it but as he searches The Reptile attacks and nicks Harry on the neck. His collar saves him from death and he stumbles back home. Valerie gets Tom to help and when Dr. Franklyn comes over Tom tells him that Harry has died.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Later Valerie goes to try and help Anna but when she gets there she is caught and held prisoner by Dr. Franklyn who tells her the truth that Anna is part human and part snake and that once a year she sheds her skin. The Reptile comes to kill Valerie and Harry and Tom race over to save her before it's too late.
This was directed by John Gilling and it was filmed back to back with "Plague of the Zombies" and several of the sets can be seen in both films. Most notably the inside of the tavern and the scenes in the cemetery. Gilling, along with Terence Fisher was perfectly suited for these films by Hammer Studios. Gilling creates just the right eerie atmosphere to make this effective and the make-up for The Reptile is pretty good. It looks more effective when Pearce is wearing it and hiding in dark corners. Pearce was perfectly cast as Anna and it's because of her striking beauty and dark exotic look. You can't take your eyes off of her! It's not one of the best films Hammer has produced and it does move slowly at times. The victims of The Reptile have less than convincing death scenes especially in terms of make-up. After The Reptile strikes, the victims turn a dark color and start to froth at the mouth. The effects show actors with shoe polish on their faces and it looks like they're choking on an Alka Seltzer! But this is just nit-picking because this is an extremely enjoyable horror film with good special effects. Fans of these films should definitely view this well made Hammer film.
*****SPOILER ALERT*****
Later Valerie goes to try and help Anna but when she gets there she is caught and held prisoner by Dr. Franklyn who tells her the truth that Anna is part human and part snake and that once a year she sheds her skin. The Reptile comes to kill Valerie and Harry and Tom race over to save her before it's too late.
This was directed by John Gilling and it was filmed back to back with "Plague of the Zombies" and several of the sets can be seen in both films. Most notably the inside of the tavern and the scenes in the cemetery. Gilling, along with Terence Fisher was perfectly suited for these films by Hammer Studios. Gilling creates just the right eerie atmosphere to make this effective and the make-up for The Reptile is pretty good. It looks more effective when Pearce is wearing it and hiding in dark corners. Pearce was perfectly cast as Anna and it's because of her striking beauty and dark exotic look. You can't take your eyes off of her! It's not one of the best films Hammer has produced and it does move slowly at times. The victims of The Reptile have less than convincing death scenes especially in terms of make-up. After The Reptile strikes, the victims turn a dark color and start to froth at the mouth. The effects show actors with shoe polish on their faces and it looks like they're choking on an Alka Seltzer! But this is just nit-picking because this is an extremely enjoyable horror film with good special effects. Fans of these films should definitely view this well made Hammer film.