The Reptile

1966
Approved
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

Videos1

Trailer 2:01

Official Trailer

Photos52

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Storyline

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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."

Connections
Edited into Tela Class: Boquinha de Cemitério (2007)

Soundtracks
Sitar Music
(uncredited)
Traditional
Arranged by Philip Martell

User reviews65

Featured review

Efficient chiller from Hammer...absorbing and atmospheric...

A young couple inherits the husband's cottage in Cornwall, England and soon find themselves confronting a mysterious, unknown serial killer that has been murdering villagers. That's the basic premise of THE REPTILE and the only drawback is that nothing much is explained until the final reel--but along the way it's an absorbing mystery of the kind that Hammer does so well with plenty of chills to keep you watching until the denouement.

It's all done up in the best kind of British color cinematography with sets that look substantial enough and appropriate costumes for the period. Under John Gilling's direction the actors go through their paces in realistic fashion. Noel Willman is especially sinister as Dr. Franklyn while Ray Barrett and Jennifer Daniel play the troubled young couple with conviction. Barrett is especially good in the leading role and Michael Ripper does a fine character role as the tavern owner who helps them.

Summing up: an efficient chiller from Hammer, mysterious and absorbing from beginning to end.