The Reptile

1966
15
1h 31m

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

4.2K

YOUR RATING

In a Cornish village, various locals die from mysterious snake bites, but the coroner rules the deaths as heart attacks, until a family of newcomers starts an investigation.

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Monster Horror Horror

In a Cornish village, various locals die from mysterious snake bites, but the coroner rules the deaths as heart attacks, until a family of newcomers starts an investigation.In a Cornish village, various locals die from mysterious snake bites, but the coroner rules the deaths as heart attacks, until a family of newcomers starts an investigation.In a Cornish village, various locals die from mysterious snake bites, but the coroner rules the deaths as heart attacks, until a family of newcomers starts an investigation.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.1/10

4.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

User reviews65

Featured review

One of the best Hammer films, Reptile is worth a look.

This film is one of the best period horror films of it's day. The costumes and sets are lavish and the acting is notable. The 'Reptile' itself is hinted at but not seen for most of the film, building suspense. It is a shame that the video box shows what the Reptile looks like, lessening the shock when you see it on the screen. The make up was very ahead of its time, much more realistic than other films of its day. The only problem about the film is that it plays like a mystery, but we already know what is going on. People die after getting on the neck. No one knows who or what is doing the killing. A good guess on our part would be, the Reptile. By the time the players figure that out, we have already have figured out who is the Reptile. The film is a little low on terror and gore for a Hammer film, but writing and effects more than make up for it. Plus the film boasts one of the best 'dead body POV shots' ever filmed. A must for any Hammer fan!

GC-9
Jun 23, 1999
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Trivia
Roy Ashton's makeup for the creature included appliances created from a mold taken of real snakeskin.

Goofs
At the start, the publican sluices down the pub's front steps with water in a plastic bucket.

Quotes
Dr. Franklyn: I could kill you!
The Malay: Possibly, but you could never be free then, could you?

Alternate versions
When originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'X' rating. It is believed all cuts were waived in 1994 when the film was granted a '15' certificate for home video. However, Hammer has put out a call trying to locate lost or censored footage from the following scene: An extended knife in neck/snake bite scene (this is thought to exist, but there is no known evidence). This rather suggests that this is the footage censored from the 1966 cinema release and that it is still missing from home video releases. The BBFC cut was described in The DarkSide magazine as: "A gloating close-up during the lancing of a snake bite."