Plot: What’s it about?
Dr. Franklyn (Noel Willman) is wishing he could turn back time. You see, he saw fit to harass a group of snake worshipping cultists, and now he’s paying the price. For their pain and suffering, the snake lovers turned his daughter Anna (Jacqueline Pearce) into a lovely human and reptile combination. Yeah, pretty wicked, so she looks like a He-Man figure, or something like that. Anyway, she starts to go berserk, and her first victim Charles (David Baron) is only the beginning. After a large body count, people can’t figure out what the hell is killing people, so they chalk it up to a plague. A young couple movies into town, and wants some answers on what is ravaging the village, and with the help of the local pub owner, they just might find out. But, the question is, once they do, will they wish they’d never found…The Reptile? The Reptile is part of Anchor Bay’s Hammer Collection, which is filled with fun classics of the horror genre. Now, this is not horror like most modern movie goers are used to, there aren’t buckets of blood and gore in this movie. Rather, there is a nice amount of suspense, and truth be told, some decent acting and a suitable plot. I like these Hammer movies, and The Reptile is one my favorites. The make up effects are of course, slightly dated when compared to today’s efforts, but The Reptile has a very appealing feel to it. If you enjoy Hammer movies, or horror flicks in general, you should take a chance and check this one out. As far as that goes, I recommend all the Hammer titles, and Anchor Bay outdid themselves with this set, this disc included. With nifty scenery and a great atmosphere, The Reptile is good old fashioned horror fun! The Reptile’s cast is not the usual star studded bill, but the players do a very good job of bringing this movie to life. Given the nature of this film, you might not expect much in terms of acting talent, but you’ll be a little surprised with this group. Jacqueline Pearce is good in this movie, and also stars in another Hammer movie worth looking at, The Plague of the Zombies. Other members of the cast include Noel Willman (Kiss of the Vampire), Ray Barrett (Rebel), David Baron, Jennifer Daniel (Kiss of the Vampire), Michael Ripper (The Scars of Dracula, Dracula Has Risen From The Grave), and Marne Maitland (The Mark of the Hawk). The Reptile is a fantastically fun horror movie, complete with great sets, costumes, and a good cast as well. Director John Gilling (The Plague of the Zombies, Mania) is no stranger to horror, so he knows what he’s doing, and it shows. You’re not going to find a better treatment for this movie, so just buy it, ok?
Video: How does it look?
The Reptile’s visual transfer blew me away. Anchor Bay has created a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer for this classic, and it looks excellent. Colors, when present, look rich and full, especially the greens, like on the creature itself. Of most amazement were the black levels, which are perfect in every way. Detail is high in the shadows, even in the darkest scenes, I am impressed.
Audio: How does it sound?
A 2.0 mono track is used, and that’s all you need. The music and effects sound clear, and dialogue couldn’t sound better. May not be flashy, but it gets the job done.
Supplements: What are the extras?
You get the theatrical trailer for The Reptile, as well as two television spots, which are for a double feature of The Reptile and Rasputin- The Mad Monk. You also get a thirty minute “World of Hammer” episode, which is pretty much an advertisement for Hammer movies. But, if they’re like me, Hammer and other horror fans will be delighted it’s included.
