Displaying items by tag: John Gilling

THE REPTILE

UK, 1966, 90 minutes, Colour.

Noel Willman, Jennifer Daniel, Ray Barrett, Jacqueline Pearce, Michael Ripper, John Laurie, Marne Maitland, Charles Lloyd Pack, George Woodbridge.

Directed by John Gilling.

A film from Hammer studios in the middle of the 1960s, after establishing a reputation with the horror films of Dracula and Frankenstein. They became more elaborate in the 1960s, more violence, sexuality – and an increase both ingredients in the late 1960s into the 1970s.

In comparison, this film is very mild, some violence, but an atmosphere of menace and mystery, some attacks, a sinister, vast reptile, victims, a mysterious doctor of theology who has been exploring mythologies in Borneo, his sinister Malay servant. By contrast, there is a former Grenadier Guard retiring with his wife to the country home of his brother who has been killed by the mysterious reptile.

Australian Ray Barrett plays the central character, moving back to Australia and films in the 1980s. Noel Willman creates an atmosphere as the mysterious doctor. Martin Maitland is suitably sinister as the Malay servant. And Michael Ripper, who has a record of appearing in more horror and hammer films than any other actor, has a more sympathetic role as the innkeeper.

Memories of Hammer films.

1. Hammer film of the mid-1960s? Horror? Menace?
2. The setting, the British countryside, ordinary homes, the mansions, laboratories and basements, the local pub, the cemetery? Atmosphere? The musical score?
3. The title, the mythologies, from Malaya and Borneo, serpents, individuals, murderous power, control?
4. The opening, Charles Spalding, pursued, killed? Dr Franklin and his presence? The Malay present? The puncture in the neck, the skin?
5. The village, the men in the pub, Tom and is running the pub, his navy background, wary, friendly to Harry and to Valerie? His suspicions, coming to the assistance of the couple?
6. In the cemetery, of the burial, the Vicar and his business like praying and departing? The later visit to the cemetery, digging up mad Peter’s body, digging up Charles Spalding? Harry and Tom working together?
7. Harry and Valerie, war service, inheriting, the solicitor, the train to the village, no one to make them, Harry going to the pub, the men all walking out? Tom offering the drink? Going to the house, settling in?
8. The encounter with Dr Franklin, Dr of theology, his background, travels, his daughter, his problems with her, refusing to help Mad Peter, the invitation to the meal, punishment of his daughter, the Malaise serving, the discussions?
9. The daughter, suddenly arriving, her charming presence, the flowers, her sudden departure, the menace of The Malay? Her father in control? The revelation of what happened, her being possessed, becoming the reptile? The need for her to be released?

• Harry, the puncture, his escape? Tom helping? Recuperation? Valerie going to the house, looking for the daughter? The encounter with Dr Franklin, locked in the room, the basement of the Serpent, the revelations?
• Harry and Tom to the rescue, the confrontation between Dr Franks in the Malay, the Malay and his death? Tom and Harry, breaking into the house, Dr Franklin’s death?
• The resolution of the mystery, hope for the future?