The Plague Of The Zombies/The Reptile
 (1966)
review by Bill P.

"Hammer Films Cornish Duo"

"The Plague Of The Zombies"

Source: DVD
Films year of release: 1966
DVD year of release: 1999
By: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Running Time: 90 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen, 1.85:1, Enhanced For 16x9 Televisions
System: NTSC (Color)
Audio: English Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 and French Dolby Digital Mono 2.0
Region: All Region
Package Type: Keep Case

Extras:
Theatrical Trailer
Combo Theatrical Trailer with "Dracula: Prince Of Darkness"
"World Of Hammer" Episode: "Mummies, Werewolves and The Living Dead"

"The Reptile"

Source: DVD
Films year of release: 1966
DVD year of release: 1999
By: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Running Time: 91 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen, 1.85:1, Enhanced For 16x9 Televisions
System: NTSC (Color)
Audio: English Dolby Digital Mono 2.0
Region: All Regions
Package Type: Keep Case

Extras:
Theatrical Trailer
20 and 60 second Combo TV Spots With "Rasputin: The Mad Monk"
"World Of Hammer" Episode: "Vamp"

About The Films:

Back in 1965, Hammer Films decided to make back to back features with the same director and utilizing the same sets with the hopes of releasing both films as companion pieces for double feature billings in theaters and drive-ins. Using the same Cornwall sets as "locales" even though they were actually filmed at Bray Studios in England, director John Gilling churned out a couple of movies that can now be deemed as classics and two potent entries in Hammer's arsenal. Though they never ended up being released as double feature partners both "The Plague Of The Zombies" and "The Reptile" are fine additions to the horror genre.

In "The Plague Of The Zombies" we have a small Cornish village who's residents are falling ill and eventually dying of a strange disease. What is not known is that the local Squire is a voodoo practitioner who places a curse upon the unwilling subjects and turns them into zombies in order to work in his tin mines. Peter Thompson(Brook Williams), a young man practicing medicine, summons the aid of his mentor, Sir James Forbes(Andre Morell), in an effort to stem the tide of this strange disease. The two launch an investigation that leads to the discovery of a dark secret and the stunning truth that has overtaken the village.

This was a very enjoyable film in the fine Hammer tradition. The Cornish sets are excellent and all the mystical voodoo trappings are present. What struck me most about the film was the atmosphere and the nice pace and fluid direction of Gilling. We also get some strong performances, especially from Morell who is always a joy to watch. There are some striking scenes in the film including a wonderful and I'm sure, often copied sequence in which the dead rise, clawing the dirt from their paths. It's a visually pleasing sequence as are the appearances of the zombies themselves. The makeup and green skin tones are striking and add an extra air of doom to the proceedings. Anchor Bay's transfer is very nice. Detailed and sharp, with solid blacks and striking colors. The audio quality is also fine with dialogue clearly audible and no hissing or popping evident. For the extra's, we get the films theatrical trailer as well as a combo trailer with "Dracula: Prince Of Darkness". Finally, there is also a "World Of Hammer" episode entitled "Mummies, Werewolves And The Living Dead". All in all, this is a top notch film that gets a nice and well deserved treatment from the folks at Anchor Bay.

In "The Reptile", Dr. Franklyn(Noel Willman) made the mistake of antagonizing a cult of snake worshippers in Malaya some years back. The cult retaliates by performing a ritual on his daughter Anna(Jacqueline Pearce) that turns her into a reptilian creature when aroused by emotion and physical heat. Anna's victims in their small Cornish village begin to mount. Each dies with horrible face discoloration while foaming at the mouth. The local coroner brushes it off as heart failure. The brother of one of the victims, Harry Spaulding(Ray Barrett) and his wife Valerie(Jennifer Daniel) come to live at Harry's late brothers estate, which he inherited in the will. It is there that the young couple slowly become drawn into and involved with the mysterious goings on in the village.

Truth be told, I liked this film a bit better then "Plague". I found it quite unique and the proceedings as a whole came with more tension and suspense. Again, the Cornish settings were lovely to look at and Gilling was on top of his game. There is a great deal of atmosphere and mystery to the film and some striking scenes of Pearce in reptilian make up. She is not seen too much but when she is, it's a real freaky appearance and I must admit to getting jolted a few times when she showed up. As a side note, I have to say that I really enjoyed the performance of the village barkeep Tom, played by Hammer regular Michael Ripper. He did an excellent job and it was nice seeing him in a beefy role he could work with. Anchor Bay does another nice job with this fine Hammer film. The transfer is sharp and clear, the blacks are solid and the colors look great. My only complaint is that early on in the film we see some "shadowing" in the transfer but that clears up as the film progresses. The audio is clear and more then serves it's purpose. The extra goodies include the theatrical trailer, 20 and 60 second combo TV spots with "Rasputin: The Mad Monk". Make sure you check out the TV spots because the voiceover is hilarious whenever the announcer pronounces "Rasputin: The Mad Monk". Must be heard to be believed. Finally, we get another "World Of Hammer" episode entitled "Vamp".

All in all these two film "brothers" from the famed Hammer Films Studios make for excellent entertainment and are fine examples of the classic horror genre. The DVD's are well done and I think deserve a place on your shelf so you can view them as often as you like.