The Reptile Blu-ray Review
Score: 76
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
"The Reptile" on Blu-ray, excellently presented by Scream Factory, delivers strong audio, video, and numerous extras, making it a must-have for Hammer Horror fans.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 75
The Blu-ray release of *The Reptile* by Scream Factory offers impressive video quality with two aspect ratios (1.66:1 and 1.85:1), utilizing an HD transfer from Studio Canal's prior restoration. Despite some graininess in the opening scenes, the transfer boasts excellent detail, deep blacks, and faithful color reproduction, making it a top-notch presentation.
Audio: 80
The DTS-HD MA Mono track delivers a robust score and clean dialogue with minimal analog hiss, trumping the lesser 192 kbps Dolby Digital quality in the 1.66:1 version. The sound mix excels with Don Banks' inventive score and impressive dynamics, ensuring 'The Reptile' sounds better than ever on home video.
Extra: 76
Scream Factory's Blu-ray extras for 'The Reptile' provide a comprehensive collection with insightful new commentaries, interviews, and a making-of featurette, while retaining classic elements like historically significant trailers, TV spots, still galleries, and the 'Wicked Women' episode from 1990.
Movie: 68
Hammer's 'The Reptile' stands out as a captivating mid-60s horror piece, combining intense suspense with impressive makeup and set design. Although the plot reveals its villains early and features a slower second act, the film's unique blend of dread, well-acted characters, and notable makeup effects make it one of Hammer's most intriguing and chilling releases.
Add your review
Let everyone know how you liked The Reptile: Blu-ray
Your review will appear on this page
Video: 75
Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release of Hammer Horror’s "The Reptile" maintains an impressive technical presentation. The film can be viewed in two aspect ratios: 1.66:1 and 1.85:1, with the latter mirroring its theatrical release. Utilizing a restoration performed by Pinewood Studios in the early 2010s, the encode is done with the MPEG-4 AVC codec. The 1.85:1 version boasts a mean video bitrate of 32000 kbps compared to the 24000 kbps for the 1.66:1 version, resulting in similarly detailed yet differently framed experiences.
The transfer exhibits a wonderfully natural and organic look, free from any intrusive post-production tampering. There is a robust layer of grain that brings depth and detail to the image, ensuring textures such as skin pores, dried blood, and environmental elements are represented accurately. The DeLuxe colors are richly rendered, with daytime scenes showcasing vibrant hues and nighttime sequences soaked in characteristically Hammer-esque cool blues and pale greens. While the opening scene suffers from graininess and poor contrast, subsequent shots quickly transition to lush visuals with deep blacks and saturated earth tones.
Despite some filtering applied to nighttime exterior shots, both aspect ratios offer faithful color reproduction and fine details. The solidity of reds and browns stands out, with flesh tones remaining natural and consistent throughout. Few artifacts or noise issues are present, affirming the transfer's quality. Although some softness appears during initial credits, it doesn’t detract significantly from the viewing experience. This transfer is likely the best "The Reptile" will look on home video, providing an enjoyable visual treat for fans of classic horror cinema.
Audio: 80
The audio presentation of "The Reptile" on Blu-ray is commendable, showcased predominantly through the DTS-HD Master Audio Mono track. This track stands out by delivering a strong and clear presentation of dialogue and sound effects, maintaining a high level of clarity with minimal analog hiss. The audio track effectively supports the robust score and clean dialogue, ensuring an engaging and immersive auditory experience. Compared to the Dolby Digital 2.0 mono mix available on the 1.66:1 version, the DTS-HD MA track offers a more punchy and vibrant sound, although both exhibit a quaint analog hiss that adds to the original charm of the film.
Scream's offering of an English DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono (1576 kbps, 24-bit) for the 1.85:1 version ensures that the film's dynamic range is well-preserved, from Don Banks' innovative score—featuring exotic instruments like the sitar—to the crisp dialogue reproduction. This audio configuration delivers one of the best audio experiences for "The Reptile" on home video, capturing both the intense moments and intricate musical compositions with great fidelity. Optional English SDH subtitles are also accurate and complete, further enhancing accessibility.
Overall, the audio track is well-balanced with some pleasing depth, greatly benefiting from the high-quality DTS-HD MA encoding. The lack of significant crackling, popping, or distortion reinforces the exceptional quality of this release, making it a remarkable audio experience that retains the film's original theatrical feel while utilizing modern technological advancements for home video.
Extras: 76
The Blu-ray release of "The Reptile" includes an impressive array of extras, combining newly recorded content and ported material from previous international releases, making it a treasure trove for fans and film historians alike. Noteworthy is the new audio commentary by Steve Haberman, Constantine Nasr, and Ted Newsom, which delves into the film's production with insightful discussions and anecdotes, although Newsom’s comments occasionally lack structure. Another standout feature is a fresh interview with First Assistant Director William P. Cartlidge, offering a candid reflection on his early career and experience with Hammer Films. The set also includes "The Serpent’s Tale," a comprehensive making-of featurette with contributions from various film historians and experts. Additionally, "The World of Hammer: Wicked Women" TV episode, several theatrical trailers, TV spots, and extensive still and poster galleries round out this robust package.
Extras included in this disc:
- Audio Commentary: By film historians Steve Haberman, Constantine Nasr and Ted Newsom.
- Interview With 1st Assistant Director William P. Cartlidge: Cartlidge shares his career beginnings and experiences.
- The Serpent's Tale: The Making of The Reptile: A detailed documentary on the film's production.
- The World of Hammer: Wicked Women: Highlights the villainous women of Hammer films.
- Theatrical Trailers: Several trailers including promotional material for double features.
- TV Spots: Promotional spots for the double bill of Rasputin and The Reptile.
- Still Gallery: A slideshow of production and behind-the-scenes images.
- Poster and Lobby Card Gallery: A collection of promotional materials from various international campaigns.
Movie: 68
"The Reptile" (1966) stands out as a unique and engaging entry in the Hammer Films oeuvre, distinguished by its bold attempt to diversify beyond the usual mummies, vampires, and werewolves. Directed by veteran John Gilling, the film captivates viewers with its intriguing premise set in the small Cornish village of Clagmoor Heath, plagued by a series of grisly deaths resembling the Black Plague. The cinematography makes excellent use of existing sets from "The Plague of the Zombies", amplifying the eerie Victorian atmosphere. The narrative unfolds as Harry Spalding (Ray Barrett) and his wife Valerie (Jennifer Daniel) move into a cottage formerly owned by Harry’s deceased brother, only to find themselves entangled in a web of sinister events orchestrated by the enigmatic Dr. Franklyn (Noel Willman) and his daughter Anna (Jacqueline Pearce). The doctor’s manor, shot at the historic Oakley Court, serves as a foreboding backdrop that amplifies the film's suspense.
The acting is commendable, with Noel Willman's portrayal of Dr. Franklyn adding a layer of aristocratic menace and Jacqueline Pearce delivering a compelling performance as his daughter. However, Ray Barrett and Jennifer Daniel's performances as the leads, while adequate, occasionally lack the depth that could have further elevated the film. Hammer regular Michael Ripper shines as the sympathetic village publican, and John Laurie adds a touch of whimsy as the eccentric villager "Mad Peter." The make-up for the titular reptilian creature is both striking and effective, contributing to several genuinely eerie moments.
While the film successfully builds tension and delivers some unexpected twists, it does reveal its antagonists' identities early on, which might lessen its impact for some viewers. Additionally, the pacing drags slightly in the second act, but this slow burn ultimately serves to heighten the climactic final scenes. Overall, "The Reptile" is a moody, atmospheric horror film that doesn't shy away from delivering gruesome visuals and maintains a steady sense of dread, making it a standout in Hammer’s 1960s horror catalog.
Total: 76
"The Reptile" stands as a commendable entry in the Hammer Horror pantheon, earning praise for its atmospheric tension, solid performances, and standout makeup effects. This chilling film, directed by John Gilling and written by Anthony Hinds, recalls the eerie charm of classic Universal monster movies while adding its unique flair through the terrifying presence of the titular creature. The Blu-ray release by Scream Factory offers a substantial upgrade, allowing fans to fully appreciate the film's visual and auditory qualities. The presentation includes two aspect ratios, 1.66:1 AVC and 1.85:1 AVC, both delivering pleasing picture quality despite some inconsistencies in grain levels.
Audio comes in two forms: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono and English Dolby Digital 2.0 for the 1.66:1 version. The sound is robust, contributing significantly to the film's atmosphere. Scream Factory has supplemented this release with insightful extras, including a compelling group commentary and an interview with an assistant director. These additions provide greater depth and understanding of the film's production, making it a worthwhile investment for collectors and enthusiasts of the genre.
In conclusion, "The Reptile" is one of Hammer's overlooked gems, providing not only a captivating horror experience but also showcasing impressive craftsmanship in special effects and set design. This Blu-ray edition from Scream Factory is a must-have for Hammer Horror aficionados, offering excellent video and audio quality along with a slew of enriching extras. It's a great watch that certainly deserves a place in any horror movie collection. Recommended without reservation.
Technical Specifications:
- Starring: Noel Williams, Jennifer Daniel, Ray Barrett, Jacqueline Pearce, Michael Ripper, John Laurie, Marne Maitland
- Directed by: John Gilling
- Written by: Anthony Hinds
- Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 AVC / 1.85:1 AVC
- Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Mono, English Dolby Digital 2.0 (1.66:1 version only)
- Subtitles: English SDH
- Studio: Scream Factory
- Rated: NR
- Runtime: 90 minutes
- Blu-Ray Release Date: July 30th, 2019
Recommendation: Great Watch
AV Nirvana review by Michael ScottRead review here
Video: 90
The grain level for this encode is nice and healthy, but never obtrusive outside of a few spots, and the blacks look nice and deep....
Audio: 90
While it’s not a surround sound mix, or even a 2.0 stereo mix, the Mono track does quite well for itself, with a robust score and very clean dialog....
Extras: 80
The Serpent’s Tale: The Making of The Reptile • The World of Hammer : Wicked Women • Theatrical Trailers • TV Spot • Still Gallery •...
Movie: 80
The ending is sadly a bit weaker than I would have liked, but up until that climactic moment this was one of the most tense and exciting rides that Hammer has the pleasure to offer....
Total: 80
It has great atmosphere, great acting, very little cheese, and some really awesome makeup for the black death and reptile herself....
Blu-ray.com review by Dr. Stephen LarsonRead review here
Video: 80
A shot of the Malay watching in the rear (with some light in the frame) shows some scrub work was done after the coarse-looking shots at the start of the film....
Audio: 90
Scream has supplied an English DTS-HD Master Audio Dual Mono (1576 kbps, 24-bit) as the lone sound track for the 1.85:1....
Extras: 80
Another valuable section in the track is their discussion of differences between the script and final film version....
Movie: 60
Veteran director John Gilling took full advantage of these as he did the Oakland Court, which the crew used for the film's Franklyn manor....
Total: 70
Supplements mostly duplicate what's on the other BDs, with a very good group commentary and interview with an AD as the two latest additions....
Home Theater Forum review by t1g3r5fanRead review here
Video: 80
There are some spots of softness – mostly during the opening credits – but not enough to distract from viewing; other than that, there not much in terms of problems with the transfer itself (print damage,...
Audio: 100
Instances of crackling, popping, hissing or distortion is hardly present, which means that this is likely the best the film has ever sounded on home video....
Extras: 70
The Serpent’s Tale (22:45) – Carried over from Studio Canal’s 2012 Region B release, this featurette goes over the movie and its history; among those interviewed include film historians Marcus Hearn, Mark...
Movie: 70
Also making notable impressions are Hammer regular Michael Ripper as the village publican who befriends the new couple, John Laurie as the village eccentric who falls victim to the mysterious plague, Marne...
Total: 70
While it was presented as the ‘B’ feature, The Reptile has stood out as a chilling feature that’s been overlooked in the larger Hammer repertoire....
Why So Blu?Read review here
Video: 80
There is an impressive amount of detail and texture on display on faces including sweat, dried blood, wrinkles, makeup and some pore even show through a little....
Audio: 70
Audio Format(s): English 2.0 Mono DTS-HD MASubtitles: EnglishDynamics: The Reptile features a pretty fun mono track that really keeps that original theatrical feel to it going while also being able to...
Extras: 80
The Serpent’s Tale: The Making of The Reptile (HD, 22:45) – Told from a historian/critic talking head perspective (Including actor Mark Gatiss), telling the story of The Reptile’s production....
Movie: 70
The Reptile movies a much more relaxed pace, only tricking the viewer into a sense of comfort before something dreadful occurs....
Total: 80
There is a cool monster, great atmosphere, lovely costumes and sets, nice make-up and groovy gore....
Director: John Gilling
Actors: Noel Willman, Jennifer Daniel, Ray Barrett
PlotA young couple, Harry and Valerie Spalding, relocate to the remote village of Clagmoor Heath after inheriting a cottage from Harry's deceased brother. Upon arrival, they notice the villagers' fearful and superstitious behavior, coupled with abnormally high incidences of unusual deaths. These deaths are characterized by grotesque physical symptoms, particularly a blackened mouth with foamy discharge. Curious and disturbed, Harry and Valerie begin to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding these fatalities. They befriend Mad Peter, an eccentric local who shares cryptic warnings about the dangers lurking in the village.
As they delve deeper into the mystery, Harry encounters Dr. Franklyn, a reclusive and enigmatic scholar living in a nearby manor with his daughter Anna. Dr. Franklyn's behavior is notably aloof and secretive, raising Harry's suspicions. Meanwhile, Valerie forms a tentative friendship with the seemingly fragile Anna, who is kept under tight constraints by her father. Strange occurrences and ominous signs escalate, leading Harry to unearth a horrifying secret tied to Dr. Franklyn's past expeditions. The sinister truth threatens both his and Valerie's lives as they find themselves entangled in a deadly curse that plagues the village.
Writers: Anthony Hinds
Release Date: 06 Apr 1966
Runtime: 90 min
Rating: Approved
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English