Reviews (46)

Can't say enough about this exciting sci-fi flick.
This was the first of 7 films that Roy Ward Baker directed for Hammer. I also feel that it was possibly Hammer's finest moment. I have seen this movie at least 5 times and I still love it. This is a remake of a British television series entitled Quatermass and the Pit. The same writer was used on the film and much of the same dialogue is used. And maybe Hammer has some other moments as equally fine as this, but this is such a good movie.

While digging a new subway tunnel underneath London, a large, metallic object is discovered. Different experts are brought in and the official story from the military is that it is an experimental type of bomb from from the Germans from WW II that didn't work. Others aren't so sure, including Professor Quatermass (Andrew Keir).

A little bit of detective work by Professor Quatermass and his assistant Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) turns up that the area of London that the object was discovered at, Hobbs Lane, has had a history of strange phenomena going back centuries. In fact the name Hobbs as it turns out, is actually a medieval name for the Devil.

Quatermass proposes that the object is an alien craft that has been buried for centuries, if not millennia, despite the military's insistence that it is a German dud. And soon after the discovery of the object, workers start dying or start having psychotic episodes with visions of seeing aliens that look like insects (kind of like a cross between a praying mantis and a grasshopper actually). The military is trying every tool they can to drill into the object, but to no effect. A cover finally opens up and all hell starts breaking loose around Hobbs Lane. Winds are blowing and people are being driven mad by the visions they are seeing. There is also a giant apparition of an alien that appears in the sky above Hobbs Lane. The Professor figures out a way to bring the power in the spaceship to a halt by running a giant electrified crane into the apparition and save London.

If you have ever seen Lifeforce (1985), you'll notice the endings are somewhat similar. There are winds swirling around London with debris flying everywhere and sirens going off and some terrific noise all around. People are running through the streets either out of their minds or trying to get away from the madness. And one lone figure knows how to put a stop to all of it.

I hope my description of the movie doesn't turn you off, because despite the goofy sounding story it really is a well done movie. All of the principle actors do an outstanding job, especially Barbara Shelley and Andrew Kier. The first time I saw this movie on TV in the late 70's it was under the title 5 Million Years to Earth. It was probably 10 years before I saw the movie again on TV, and I was so excited to be seeing it again. Fortunately for all of us, Anchor Bay has released this movie on dvd in 1998. What is included on the disk is a commentary by director Roy Ward Baker and a World of Hammer episode entitled "Sci-Fi". I have only ever seen one copy in dvd stores and of course I bought it. So I know it is not a very common title to have in stock at most outlets. I highly recommend buying this for your permanent movie collection.

Brother, can you spare a Quatermass?
Quatermass and the Pit (1968) is the third in the Quatermass series, beginning with The Quatermass Xperiment (1955), and followed by Quatermass 2 (1957), all written by Nigel Kneale, and is certainly one of the better Hammer Studios releases. (That's a whole lot of Quatermass...)

The film starts out with an interesting find during the renovation of an underground subway station in the English town of Hobb's End. Seems the workers found some ancient skeletal remains, early primate man it appears, prompting the work to stop, allowing for Dr. Mathew Roney (James Donald), his assistant Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley, yowsa, yowsa) and a group of anthropologists to catalogue this remarkable discovery. The situation soon turns from fantastic to frightening, as part of a large, metal object is uncovered, leading some to believe it may be an unexploded German bomb from the last world war. Professor Bernard Quatermass (Andrew Kier), a physicist and rocket scientist, along with Colonel Breen (Julian Glover, who later appeared in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) and the military soon arrive to deal with the situation, but further digging reveals the large object not to be a remnant of a past war. Turns out, it's not even an object of this Earth, as various attempts to penetrate the hull prove fruitless, as the object is of a material not recognizable to anyone. Not only that, but a secret compartment reveals child-sized inhabitants of a bug-like nature. As the scientists, the military, and the government grapple with this incredible find and all its' possible implications, the dissention amongst the parties involved begins, as not only of the origin of the object, and how best to disseminate information to the questioning public.

After Barbara, with the flaming red hair and beckoning green eyes (sorry...I got a little carried away) uncovers information about past odd happenings in the Hobb's End area, Professor Quatermass develops some interesting theories about the possibility of alien intervention in human development and reasons why. This opens a whole new can of worms, and to say Colonel Breen and various high-ranking government officials were less than receptive to these theories is putting it lightly. There position, akin to an ostrich putting its' head in the sand, is that the object and anything within was all a part of some German propaganda during the past war, designed to sow confusion and fear. This turns out not to be true, as everyone learns later. More scientific investigation reveals some truly interesting, and somewhat terrifying details. In the end, the terror becomes a reality, and the stuff really hits the fan as the object turns out to be much more than anyone had expected or could have conceived.

To me, this is an excellent example of a true science fiction film. The story is thick with rich, creamy flavor as elements are revealed, tying in not only with the present, but also the past. The conclusion to the story is satisfying, but one is left with any number of questions that may never be answered, due to the plot intricacies developed through the film. I really liked the portrayal of the powers that be in that they weren't trying to cover up some big secret, but just unwilling to face certain facts for fear that this information would have repercussions beyond the imagination, and most would probably not be able to even begin to wrap their minds around the possibilities presented with the alien object. There is a real depth to this movie, one that keeps drawing you deeper and deeper, heaping implications on top of implications, giving this viewer the sense that his mind was actually being blown. The whole affair was very intelligent and well put together, leading up to a very exciting climax. I would recommend this to any fan of true science fiction, as it exemplifies what can be achieved when all the pieces come together. This would certainly be the career highlight of capable director Roy Ward Baker, who also directed such films as Scars of Dracula (1970), Asylum (1972), And Now the Screaming Starts (1973), and The Monster Club (1980). James Donald (Dr. Mathew Roney) also appeared prominently the classic WWII film The Great Escape (1963). Andrew Kier (Prof. Quatermass) appeared in other Hammer films like Dracula: Prince of Darkness (1966), along with costar Barbara Shelley, and also the less than stellar The Viking Queen (1967).

The wide screen print on the disc looks very good, with only very minor signs of wear in a couple of places, and special features, which are on the flipside of the disc, include US and UK theatrical trailers, TV spots, a feature length commentary track by director Roy Ward Baker and writer Nigel Kneale, and a World of Hammer episode entitled 'Sci-Fi'. If you're in the mood for an intelligent and highly entertaining science fiction film, you won't be disappointed in Quatermass and the Pit.

Cookieman108

This third movie is probably the best one to get
I saw this film as a child on television many times and I guess I should admit to some bias here as it had a lasting effect on me.

I bought the movie on the strength of that feeling and it didn't disappoint me to see it again as an adult.
Although I bought all three movies, this is my favourite Quatermass movie because the acting is so much better than the first two films.

Andrew Keir is the best and most sympathetic Quatermass in my opinion and the supporting cast, particularly James Donald (the real hero) and Barbara Shelley help raise the overall quality of the film.
Credit must also go to the author Nigel Kneale who has some terrific ideas and a real feel for science fiction. He also researches his subject well so his stories generally contain 'believable' science( the odd plant man not withstanding).

The way he weaves the old tales of goblins and devil folklore into the story is impressive and original, making the sudden discovery of these creatures less far-fetched and ultimately quite courageous for it's time, considering the heresy at the heart of the story, that we owe our existence and evolution to clever insectoid martians!

The special effects are good considering the lack of technology available at the time and the story kicks along at a cracking pace. Be warned though, you may well be repeating lines in the pub like ....they were leaping and jumping!!! for days afterwards with a bug-eyed expression on your face.

Or is that just me? (I'll get my coat.........)

I would say you if you like science fiction films you won't feel let down if you buy this movie. It's a movie worthy of the title 'classic'and I think stands up pretty well against today's efforts.

WE ARE NOT ALONE
THIS ONE OF THE BEST HAMMER PICTURES,THE STORY IS FILLED WITH SUSPENSE AND GREAT SPECIAL EFFECTS FOR THAT TIME.THE ACTING IS FIRST RATE AND THE END OF MOVIE WILL GIVE UP YOU CHILLS.

EXCELLENT HAMMER SCI-FI THRILLER....
Workers in a London underground railway station unearth humanoid skeletons---setting off excitement among the scientific and anthropological experts. But then a stranger object is found and the military gets involved, believing it to be a bomb. It turns out to be a spacecraft. Col.Breen (Julian Glover) explains it all away as a German craft left over from WWII. Dr.Roney (James Donald) and his assistant Barbara Judd (Barbara Shelley) are skeptical due to the skeletons but the estimable physicist Prof.Quatermass (Andrew Keir) thinks there's a more otherworldly explanation. There are legends and superstitions around the railway station area of hauntings and "goblins" that are too well documented to be ignored. Then strange vibrations begin to eminate from the spacecraft and the remains of the hideous crew are discovered. Breen and his superiors go into complete denial of extraterrestrial visitation while Roney, Barbara and Quatermass bond together to explore things further. And the results are horrifying. Superior Martian lifeforms that resemble giant locusts came to earth in these ships and took back with them ape-like early human beings to mutate with in an attempt to cleanse their own race...then returned with them to earth to repopulate on our planet as Mars was no longer capable of supporting life. Thus, we are descended from this unspeakable union! What's more, this arthropodic race of Martians were evil---capable of creating such powerful telekinetic energy that could create havoc and destroy as well as control the minds of lesser beings. When the ship vibrates to life, sending telekinetic energy every which way, all hell breaks loose. This is an incredible, intelligent sci-fi/horror story with a matchless cast delivering expert performances. A truly superior Hammer film. Excellent color, claustrophobic atmosphere and modest but remarkable special effects with top-notch direction from Roy Ward Baker make this a collector's item for any sci-fi/horror/Hammer fan. Excellent DVD treatment from Anchor Bay as well. Highly recommended all around. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Find the Yeti
This is another fine Hammer movie. Peter Cushing is a botanist on an expedition to the Himalayas in search of the Yeti (Abominable Snowman). Forrest Tucker joins Cushing in the search but Tucker is out to capture and exploit the creature and he doesn't care who gets hurt. One of the Yeti's is killed, Tucker is killed in an avalanche, and the Yetis let Cushing go unharmed.

The movie is well photograph (black and white); the DVD has excellent picture quality and is widescreen.

The Best non Horror Hammer Film ever Made.
There is something really refreshing about The Abomitable Snowman, made in 1957. It's not a low budget cheesy horror film that Hammer Films would regretfully only come out with later. This movie benefits from creative direction from director Val Guest, a good screenplay, and a cast of fine actors led by Peter Cushing and Forest Tucker. It was actually filmed in the Swiss Alps, but it still passes for the Himalayes quite effectively. The movie maintains a mysterious atomosphere throughout the story as the final climax between the scientist and the Yeti shows us that the creatures are really quite gentle after all. This movie belongs more in the genre of science fiction.

Man and what eludes him...
This film, much like the Val Lewton-produced movies of the 40s ('Cat People', 'The Seventh Victim'...), belongs to the 'B-cinema of the unseen' - the low budget becomes an asset, and evocating the unknown becomes more important than bluntly showing it. This aspect is especially meaningful here, given the movie's elusive title character. The quest of the film's protagonists symbolizes the general ambition to reach what lies beyond man and his reason; it is the search of mysterious, potentially dangerous knowledge. When the adventurers appear to have reached their goal, deception always ensues and the quest still goes on; the conclusion itself is more open-ended than it may initially seem. It is through the characters' contact with Orient (both its people and environment) that they gradually stop to consider themselves the measure of all things. Man's smallness in the cosmos is illustrated in two ways throughout the film: on the physical plane, Val Guest's widescreen compositions often transform men into ants roaming about in a vast world; on the spiritual plane, the interior scenes show the characters' fears of the unknown take over. Concise and intelligent, this film should be seen.

Superb on all counts!
Kneale's script, Guest's direction and the talents of the key players combine to create a sense of wonder and mystery that is often attempted, but rarely brought to the screen as successfully and as forcefully as this. We don't know till the end what "may lie in the high valleys", but we are artfully exposed to every philosophy concerning the desire of man to see, as head porter Qusang says, "What man must not see". The head Lhama (Arnold Marle) feels this knowledge should be left alone to run its own course, Rolleson (Cushing
) wishes to study it for the advancement of mankind, the American adventurers (Forrest Tucker and Robert Brown) want to exploit it for personal gain, Rolleson's wife advocates a healthy fear of it and the impressionable McNee is driven to madness in an attempt to understand it; something for everyone. Add an evocative score and this one amounts to nothing less than cinamatic genious. Don't miss it!!

One of my fave old movies
I am an old movie buff and this one ranks right up at the top of my list of favorites. It is funny how your perception changes over the years. I remember this movie scaring the bejesus out of me as a child. Now, I appreciate the quality of the film making and am really awed by the fact that this film was made prior to all the special effects technology. The acting had to be superb during the 50s because the effects were so limited. This movie definitely delivers the solid acting. It pulls your emotions into the story and has you loving, hating, and wanting to throttle the various characters.

I love the psychological tension. You do not have to see the yeti to be afraid. You sense he is always lurking just outside the camera's view. I prefer that to special effects wizardry in creating monsters. I much prefer the psychological tension to the visual scare.

This movie is well worth the cost of the DVD. Order your copy today and refresh your appreciation for the old movies that pre-date special effects wizardry. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Vintage Hammer. Babes, severed heads AND Peter Cushing!
The fist time I saw this movie, at the tender age of 10, it left a lasting impression that has no doubt skewed my view of the world. Here was a former Playboy Bunny trying desperately to contain herself in a typical Hammeresque period costume, running around the Village exacting revenge in a series of bloody murders. The grisly climax contains a scene where she talks to the severed head of her (former) boyfriend. She was, of course, Frankenstein's newest creation. I recently watched this again, curious as to how I would react 30 years later. Aside from a terrible ending (this movie doesn't end so much as it stops), the movie still holds up pretty well. Fans of the Hammer genre, and fans of Peter Cushing will no doubt enjoy this one. Good wacky laboratory sequences, a fun cast of characters (some of which you are glad to see die) and Denberg as the best looking creature yet.

Will the real Soul please stand up
At the beginning of the movie a murderer is guillotine and witnessed by his young son Hans. Years later Hans is working with Dr. Hertz and Dr. Bon Frankenstein (played by Peter Cushing). Frankenstein has himself frozen for exactly one hour, down to the second, where he is trying to prove that the soul does not leave the body. He is revived and to celebrate his success sends Hans out to get some champagne at one of the local pubs. Hans is in love with the owner's daughter (Christina played by Susan Denberg) and spends the night with her but when the owner is killed Hans is accused and refuses to tell where he was when the murder took place. Hans is found guilty and himself guillotined like his father. Christina sees this and jumps off a bridge and drowns.

Dr. Frankenstein retrieves Hans's body, captures his soul, and places it in Christina body. Among Frankenstein accomplishments he is a brilliant cosmetic surgeon and turns Christina into a beautiful blond with the aid of Dr. Hertz. Now with a new body and Hans's soul revenge is sought for Hans and Christina's father's deaths.

This is another excellent Hammer film and with Peter Cushing heading the cast. The quality of the DVD is excellent.

WARNING
this Anchor Bay DVD appears to have serious flaws as almost all of the originally pressed discs no longer play correctly.....those of you who have these discs, Please check them in your dvd players as 9 out of 10 of them have suffered a form of corruption that doesnt allow them to work anylonger...........the worst news of all is that ANCHOR BAY dont apparently have the license to release this title again at the moment, so those of us who have dumped our Elite Laserdiscs are rather stuck with a dud dvd. Anchor Bay who are normally so excellent about handling themselves ought really to start something about refunding those of us who are stuck with a dud disc - clearly something they MUST have had some idea about.

stylish, erotic, smart- all my favorites!!!
I saw this many, many years ago in the theatre... still a great movie, but the tape didn't exactly capture the lush backgrounds, the erotism of the first time. Well, I'm also not 6 (or whatever) years old.
Still, I experienced again: a delirious crush on Hans, the romantic, too-good-to-be-true, hero- who was able to love AND LUST after Christine, the flawed and mistreated servant girl (haven't we all been her at one time?)His ability to see past the scars she felt such shame from made him a big numero uno for me even way back then.
Second: yowza! I prayed that my pre-adolescent self would develop into ANY SEMBLANCE WHAT-SO-EVER of the oozing sexuality of the transformed/re-created (isn't that another wish of ours, ladies?) Christina (Susan Denberg)...
And, oh yeah... Peter Cushing is in it, too.
HA! Just kidding...the blend of old school, classic horror and repressed sexuality made for a memorable movie that I had to buy and watch again and again.
If you dig the mix... and you know who you are out there... get this movie

Will the real Hammer Frankenstein please stand up?
Hammer's Victor Frankenstein owes little to the Universal series (where the character was named Henry and in fact the sequels featured the monster and not the Doctor) or even the original novel (whose Victor was a young college student and not a Baron).
When one follows the Baron in the Hammer series, one finds a lot of inconsistency. The insensitive, murderous Baron of CURSE is toned down a bit in REVENGE, misunderstood in EVIL, is the "hero" of CREATED WOMAN, is a killer and more evil than ever (and just transplants a brain) in MUST BE DESTROYED, and is back more or less like the Baron in REVENGE in AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL. Cushing is a wonderful actor and makes the character interesting, in spite of the scripting.
One wonders how the Baron came upon the idea to transplant souls since he seems to be an atheist or how he is able to acquire the machinery to be able to accomplish it without arousing suspicion. FRANKENSTEIN CREATED WOMAN is a pretty good film overall, but the ending does seem weak. One gets the feeling they couldn't think up a more satisfying ending and just had her drown herself again. Hammer fans will probably enjoy it anyway. Others should look for a more traditional Frankenstein movie. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Rasputin movie review...from a true follower
This movie is very well put together, with many facts and so forth...yet the one negative is the assassination scene. It is NOTHING like the REAL assassination poor ole' Grigory Rasputin had to face...in this movie...he's just poisened and thrown out a window...THE END. In real life, much more had to take place to take down the "Saint Who Sinned".

Rasputin, the clever manipulator
An attractive film by Hammer and a wonderfully powerful performance by Christopher Lee. Lee, an actor who always appears to put his "all" into his characters, doubly delights fans in this version of the Rasputin story. Rasputin is portrayed as an evil, manipulative, slick opportunist who delights in an over abundance of booze (just call him old pickle head!), sex (he can't have just one), and generally irresponsible behavior. He is deliciously amoral and "pig-like." It is a bit odd that everyone in this part of the world sports a British dialect, but no matter -- it's fun!

I do believe this demonstrates the great range of Christopher Lee -- an actor who has never been given ample credit for his tremendous acting talent and distinguished demeanor. A must see for all fans of Christopher Lee and the Hammer films.

Christopher Lee Saves Another Poor Movie
I rented this movie because I have recently become a big fan of British horror film actor Christopher Lee. Lee is the saving grace of this film.

The brutal and hypnotic monk Rasputin(Christopher Lee) is expelled from his monastery and temporarily gains great power by manipulating his way into the royal family of Russia.

This movie is a disappointment. "Rasputin and the Empress" could have been a thrilling period piece about Grigori Rasputin and his impact on Russian history. Unfortunately, this film pays little attention to history and doesn't become much more than a mediocre Hammer horror film masquerading as a historical period piece. Christopher Lee saves this movie. "Rasputin and the Empress" offered Lee one of his better roles. He is forceful and frightening as this ruthless historical figure. Richard Pasco and particularly Barbara Shelley give fine supporting performances.

Lee's peformance makes "Rasputin and the Empress" a must-see for all horror fans.

Watch it for Christopher Lee's performance alone.
Christopher Lee as Rasputin.The film opens in a small russian village Inn.The Inn keeper's wife is near death,and the local Doctor can do nothing to save her.Suddenly,the door at the entrance to the Inn burst's open,and in storms Rasputin,demanding a drink,immediately."There's sickness in the house" cries a local resident."I can see that" shouts Rasputin,"nothing a couple of litres of wine won't put right". Inevitably,Rasputin takes the fever from the Inn-keeper's wife,into his own hands,and asks for only wine as his reward.But eventually the drink goes to Rasputin's head,and with it a desire for more than wine,so taking the Inn-keeper's daughter into a nearby barn,Rasputin commits rape.Having disgraced his cloth and the Holy Order,Rasputin is banished from his Church.Penniless,he sets out on the road,to central russia,a place where Rasputin can fulful his desires;wealth,power,and to seduce beautiful women.Eventually he gets greedy,and has visions of a link between himself,and the sophisticated royal classes,and ultimately to have all of Russia as his own,and meet his fabled destiny.Christopher Lee's performance adds a great deal to an otherwise mediocre Hammer production.Adding a new level of excitement is this transfer from Anchor Bay.A sharp,clear,and clean picture throughout.My only complaint about this transfer,is a minor one;Rasputin-The Mad Monk was filmed in Hammerscope (a Cinemascope variant),it's original aspect ratio being 2.35:1.However,Anchor Bay have presented this film at a ratio of 2.10:1,so a little information is still missing on either side.4/5 for this transfer.The sound quality on this DVD is presented in Dolby Digital.2.0 Channel,it is crystal clear throughout.The only minor fault being slight distortion on very high tones,i.e:church bells,some parts of the orchestrated score,but on the whole,a good overall effort.3.5/5.Having finally seen this film in a widescreen ratio,and so clearly,it adds,on it's initial viewing,a new level of excitement,especially to Hammer-Horror fans,like myself.Some memorable scenes include Rasputin dancing,and every time Rasputin talks down and belittles a member of the royal court.Some interesting extras on this DVD include an Audio Commentary with Actors Christopher Lee and Francis Matthews,and Actress's Barbara Shelley and Susan Farmer.Also a "World of Hammer" episode entitled "Christopher Lee".So,overall this DVD is great for any Christopher Lee/Hammer Horror fan's collection.

Mr. Lee excels
Revered Mr. Lee's apt portrayal of holy man Rasputin came as no surprise, as he himself has made abundantly clear his intentions in matters spiritual. None of us is perfect, but Rasputin was further than most, yet closer than others. He did not desert God and the feeling was apparently mutual, as Rasputin was blessed with the gift of healing, which he owned till his demise. For those of us who share Russian heritage, it is both a necessity and a delight to see vivid details of Russian opulence, and our traditions. Brutality is also rooted in our history, and its portrayal herein lends a bitter taste of credibility. Mr. Lee is fascinating as Rasputin, as we know him to have been: brash, drunken, and at the same time holy. The fact that Rasputin tarnished his Christianity by misusing his most powerful gift, is a testament to his human nature. The fact that Mr. Lee had accepted the offer to play the part of Rasputin, and did so exceedingly well, should make one rush to see it. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Joan Fontaine in a superb performance
A classic Hammer chiller, THE WITCHES, which is also known as THE DEVIL'S OWN, is an engrossing story of the occult set in the seeemingly harmless English countryside.

Haunted by the terrors she saw in Africa, schoolteacher Gwen Mayfield (Joan Fontaine) accepts a teaching position in a local Haddaby School run by Alex Bax (Alec McCowan) and his sister Stephanie (Kay Walsh).

Soon, however, as mysterious occurances start, such as a boy falling into a coma, a headless doll found impaled with pins, Gwen starts re-living her African nightmare again.

Very good story, although the climactic witch-coven scene draws more laughs than gasps, with the Witch Queen looking like a cross between Edina from AB FAB and Bullwinkle the Moose.

In deluxe widescreen (aspect ratio of 1.66:1), and original trailers of the film under the DEVIL'S OWN title, and paired with another Hammer film PREHISTORIC WOMEN.

Joan Fontaine and the Coven of the Kooky
In her last appearance on the silver screen, Joan Fontaine, who won an Academy Award for her performance in Suspicion (1941), stars in this Hammer Studios release of The Witches (1967). While the material here is certainly not of the caliber of some of the previous films she's appeared in, it is fun to watch. Maybe I have some lurid fascination of seeing once great stars reduced to appearing in roles they probably would have never considered in their prime.

Joan plays Gwen Mayfield, a teacher who has just been accepted to assume a position as head teacher of a private school in a small English village. The film starts off with Gwen teaching at a mission school in Africa, and, after an incident with a native witch doctor that caused Gwen to have a nervous breakdown, she has now returned to England to put the pieces of her life back together.

After formally meeting with her employers, Alan and Stephanie Bax, played by Alec McCowen and Kay Walsh respectively, the well-to-do resident benefactors of the town who are also brother and sister, Gwen settles into her new surroundings. The situation seems idyllic, a nice, quiet position in a small town where little happens, but, as the saying goes, still waters sometimes run deep. The oddness begins when two of her pre-teen students, a boy and a very weird girl, exhibit closeness to each other, one borne of a budding romance. This causes consternation among some of the townspeople, and soon the boy falls ill of a mysterious coma. Apparently there was more than just a passing concern about what might happen if the relationship between these two continued, specifically in respect to the girl.

Rumors of witchery begin to reach Gwen, and the deeper she probes, the more ominous the proceedings. As the notion of witchery becomes more and more viable, the idea that there may be more than one witch, a coven, operating within the town, involving various members of the small village. Gwen soon finds herself at odds with unseen forces, and suffers a relapse, forcing her to be institutionalized. She has also lost her memory of everything that's transpired after leaving Africa. She does regain her memory, bits at a time, and the horror begins to return as she understands what is about to transpire, and rushes back to the town in an attempt to save the girl from an unknown fate, and ultimately learn that witchery is not limited to third world peoples but is alive and well here in this small, English village.

Joan Fontaine does a great job here, still exhibiting the sheen of a Hollywood star, even if some of that sheen has dulled since her prime. I have to say, even pushing 50 she still looked pretty good, despite the oddish, bowl bouffant she sported through most of the film. Fontaine's older sister, Olivia de Havilland, didn't fare as well, career wise, in my opinion, starring in dubious films like Lady in a Cage (1964), and Irwin Allen 70's disaster pics like Airport '77 (1977) and The Swarm (1978). The creepy factor develops nicely as the film progresses, and as the mystery deepens about who's involved in the coven and what their purpose is, but this is soon replaced by a goofy factor as we see the coven in action, performing a ritual, half-nekkid dance of sorts in a decrepit, abandoned church, eating greasy dirt as their leader spouts incomprehensible mumbo-jumbo while clad in colorful robes and donning a crown with birthday candles adorning the top. I kept waiting for someone to make a wish and blow out the candles, but the others were to busy bumping and grinding to their chanting, and, as I said before, masticating the mud.

Anchor Bay Entertainment releases a great print, in wide screen anamorphic format. Special features include a theatrical trailer, television promotional spots and a World of Hammer episode titled Wicked Women. Also included in the DVD case on the flipside of the card listing the chapter stops is a reproduction of promotional material used for the film. I really find much enjoyment in these little touches, as it seems to indicate thought was actually put into the release, and a sense that one's getting their money's worth, even though this release seems a bit pricey.

Cookieman108

Excellent Hammer movie without Peter Cushing
Joan Fontaine is a teacher who was traumatized by a frightening voodoo ritual while in Africa. Years later, she accepts a job at a small private school and then strange things start to occur.

The DVD is released by Anchor Bay, there is excellent color and the sound is also outstanding. Extras include the original theatrical trailer, two TV spots that advertise the film as a double feature with Prehistoric Women, and the episode "Wicked Women" from the World of Hammer series.

It's always the quiet chills that "get" you!
Lucky me--I'm both a big fan of Joan Fontaine and Hammer Films, so "The Witches" is heaven-sent! I'd read about this movie years ago and have even caught snippets of it over the decades, but nothing prepared me for Anchor Bay's excellent DVD release! Crisp, clean, with deluxe packaging and interesting "extras," The Witches is a quality product all the way. Ms. Fontaine--whose screen persona ranged from innocent and shy (see Hitchcock's "Rebecca" and "Suspicion") to connivingly evil ("Born to Be Bad")--gives a low-key and totally convincing performance as "Gwen Mayfield," ex-missionionary teacher. Her new assignment, acting as headmistress to a private church school in quiet Heddaby (Cornish England) would seem to be an ideal move, considering her traumatic turn at the hands of African witchdoctors (shown in an exciting prologue). But what's this? There are strange "undercurrents" in Heddaby! Drownings, headless voodoo dolls, a burned-out church, and "the mangle!" Could it be? Is there actually (gasp)witchcraft afoot? Well, needless to say, with a movie called "The Witches," you can draw your own conclusions! It's interesting to see Fontaine at work--she lacks the bombast of, say, a Bette Davis or Joan Crawford. Instead, she handles her duties as Hammer horror heroine with great subtlety and panache. Watch for British film vet Kay Walsh, who practically steals the film--she's excellent! "The Witches" gets my highest recommendation!

Good Brit Witchcraft Film
Interesting story of African withcraft in Britain. Some suprising moments make the movie interesting. ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Radioactve mud threatens a Scottish village
Hammer Films tried to follow up on the success of "The Quartermass Experiment" with this tale starring Dean Jagger as Dr. Adam Royston, an atomic scientist. Royston is called to a remote Scottish town to investigate a mysterious and deadly outbreak of what appears to be radiation poisoning. It soon becomes clear than some sort of subterranean, radioactive entity has come up from a bottomless crack that appears in the earth. Royston figures out the thing feeds on energy, which is going to make it very difficult to destroy. Writer Jimmy Sangster delivers an intelligent script that manages to make "X--The Unknown" as much a science fiction film as it is a horror movie. This film is certainly up to the standard of the Quartermass films. Leslie Norman (Dukirk," "The Lost Continent") directed this 1956 film, although I want to point out that he did replace the original director, Joseph Losey ("Boom," "Modesty Blaise"), who had moved to England to avoid the Hollywood blacklist. This DVD includes the theatrical trailer and the science fiction segment from the "World of Hammer" documentary.

Another hit from Hammer Productions!
While Nigel Kneale was thrilling the world- UK included - with his immensely successful QUATERMASS movies in the 50's, another name was added to Hammer Productions' list of writers- Jimmy Sangster, who wrote this genuinely suspenseful, frightening, and equally intelligent B-movie for his debut. An 'intelligent' element (a larger - than - life glob of sludge) from below the surface of the earth arises from a fissure in a Scottish bogland and wipes out anything in its path- including humans, who are either horribly burned or completely melted away from coming into close contact with it - on its way to locate and consume nearby sources of radiation to fuel its growth. To stop the titular entity, Quatermass-like scientist Dr. Alan Royston (Academy Award winner Dean Jagger, TWELVE O" CLOCK HIGH) must race against time to find its' weakness before it moves southward- towards London! He gets good acting support from Edward Chapman as his disbelieving boss and Leo McKern as a willingly-helpful police inspector named "McGuill". Although it is rather weak in direction (by Leslie Norman), the film makes a scene with production by Anthony Hinds, its dark locations are chilling, and cringing music by James Bernard. X-THE UNKNOWN certainly made an impresion for writer Sangster- he was later the recreator of Univeral's Monster Films, and the remakes had Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee as excellent predecessors to Bela Legosi, Boris Karloff, and Lon Chaney JR.!

"How do you kill mud?"
X - The Unknown (1957) is a superior science fiction/horror film from Hammer Studios.

The film stars Dean Jagger, who won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the film 12 O'Clock High, as Dr. Adam Royston, Leo Mckern as Inspector McGill, and Edward Chapman as John Elliot, director of the atomic plant where Royston works.

The movie takes place in Scotland, and starts off showing a group of army men in training on locating radioactive material using a Geiger counter. Soon a fissure cracks open in the Earth, and a couple of the men suffer radiation burns. Royston is called in to try and determine the source of the radiation, but he has no answers. Soon, others begin to suffer from such burns, and radioactive materials go missing from various locations like the local hospital and Royston's secluded lab.

Royston develops a theory, one too fantastic to be believed, but one that's soon proved correct to everyone's horror. Seems a creature of energy has risen from deep within the Earth, one that can kill instantly, and needs radioactive materials to feed on to survive. Essentially, it's a giant ball of mud, one that continues to grow the more it feeds. How do you kill a ball of mud? Royston has an idea, but the cure may prove to be worse than the disease as destroying the creature may cause an explosion of atomic proportions.

Dean Jagger is the star, no doubt about that, as he shows it throughout. The rest of the actors, while very good, are pretty much along for the ride. One of the best elements about this film is the intelligent story line. The creature isn't even show until about an hour into the proceedings, but the viewer's attention is kept tightly focused as the suspense builds and the story unfolds. And I have to say, the effects were quite good and even a bit more graphic than I would have expected, especially the scenes where some poor unfortunate comes into contact with the creature. Think of what happened to Toht, the character played by Ron Lacey, at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) and you'll understand what I mean.

The picture provided on this disc looks very good, with minimal signs of deterioration in a few scenes. Special features include an original trailer for the film, and a World of Hammer episode entitled Sci-Fi. Also included in the case is a reproduction of a promotional poster for the film. All in all, an excellent example of early British sci-fi that's intelligent, suspenseful, and extremely well made.

Cookieman108

Mud blood
As with the original "Cat People" it is what you don't see that will spook you. Appropriately named "X- The Unknown" this move is about a creepy monster that is unknown and one has to figure out how to deal with it. This has all the "Stay in the car" type thrills that will later be used in "The blob." Soon enough you find that it is - mud out for blood. So once again we must turn to our scientists to protect us. But can they do it this time?

X-THE UNKNOWN IS XCELLENT
It has been over 30 years that I first saw X-The Unknown. When it became available on DVD I jumped at the chance to buy it.

The story while very 50ish (atomic terrors reaching out for us) holds up very well today.The acting is first rate, and even through the scientific explanations you feel that the story line is quite plausible.

I am especially impressed with the clarity of the picture. I expected a very grainy film but was surprised to see a clear sharp picture. Add to this an exciting musical score and the atmosphere is set.

X THE UNKNOWN is a fine example of a talented cast, crisp direction, and errie musical score. I recommend this highly. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

The original and still the best modern zombie movie
Plague of the zombies is a horror film with breeding.In comparison to its illegitimate offspring of the 1980s spawned by such directors as George Romero it boasts what can be done with a skillful combination of a simple story and energetic direction. Never reducing itself to the visceral excesses of the Night of the Living Dead series,as its name might imply,the film relies on creating an atmospheric sense of mystery that engages your imagination rather than the muscles of your digestive system.

The story centres around the dead rising from their coffins to wander the Cornish countryside frightening the locals and providing a scientific enigma for a visiting Professor of medicine from London University (the stalwart Andre Morrell). Mixed up in the proceedings are his inquisitive daughter (Diane Clare),the mysterious squire Hamilton (John Carson),a village Doctor seemingly out of his depth,along with his affected,pale and sickly wife (Brook Williams and Jacqueline Pearce).Numerous members of the peasantry add their weight to the proceedings,while a confused constable (the ever present Michael Ripper)attempts to retain law and order during a period when noone seems to obey the rules,least of all the dear departed.

The film produced by Hammer was Directed by John Gilling,a veteran British screenplay writer of post war, crime and detective yarns. He controls the action with a nicely judged feel for pace ,blending the qualities of both fantasy horror and a sense of adventure in a way that makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. One scene in the film is particularly memorable and can never go unmentioned,the now famous dream sequence,where corpses rise from their graves. Filmed in slightly green hue,with a tilted frame it shows what can be done with simple techniques of the movie makers craft.

This quality DVD edition is an excellent anamorphic transfer by Anchor Bay in the academy standard ratio of 1:1.85 and shows more information on the sides of the frame than any other previous television or VHS panned and scan version.

A curious aside to this release is the fact that two versions were actually produced,the only difference being the placement of the title sequence.In the American release it was placed quite close to the start,as opposed to the British print which introduced it right at the end of the opening sequence,which in all honesty, if you watch the film is the most effective place for it to go.The start of the film is self evidently less dramatic and the build up slightly spoiled in the American print.This DVD of course is the American copy and although the other title arrangement would have been preferred its only a very small criticism.

GOOD HAMMER HORROR.....
"Plague" is a well made British period horror film about a Cornish lord/landowner using voodoo (via rituals he picked up in the islands) to turn the local people into zombies to work his tin mines. Very good production with good acting and atmospheric sets make this highly watchable. Jacqueline Pierce (also in Gillings' "The Reptile") is very good as a victim. I recommend both films to Hammer and horror fans. They're perfect companion peices for each other. "Plague" is stylish and well worth seeing. Although classy and non-gory, it's interesting as an early modern effort to present a zombie story in literate terms. The DVD from Anchor Bay is fine. Enjoy this one.

NO ZOMBIES HERE!
The title of this film is INCREDIBLY Misleading!! There are NO ZOMBIES ANYWHERE in this film! A Terribly Disappointing film to watch or to own. This one CAN "Passed Over" AND Forgotten.

Not bad. Not bad at all! :)
I watched this Hammer production only yesterday and it's worth watching from beginning to end. It's especially a treat to be savored on Halloween night. Although I basically knew what this 1966 film was about, it nevertheless held my interest. Just about all of the movie's elements, such as the script, camera shots and overall direction, have been carefully crafted so that John Gilling would avoid creating a hackneyed, cliche-driven monster flick. Not bad, considering that "The Plague of the Zombies" was filmed in a single month!
Actor Andre Morell stars as Sir James Forbes, a London Professor who travels to Cornwall after answering a distress letter sent by his ex-student Peter Thompson (Brook Williams). Cornwall itself is a small communal village riddled with superstitious beliefs; the villagers won't allow scientific research performed on their dead. Upon arriving, Forbes investigates a mysterious fever that has killed 12 villagers. The cause of this disease is unknown, but Peter's study indicates that every victim suffered dementia, a loss of appetite, and skin discoloration. What makes this case even stranger is how the bodies buried in the Cornwall cemetary are disappearing! Later, Forbes' strong-willed daughter Sylvia (Diane Clare) follows Peter's distressed wife Alice (Jacqueline Pearce) after she suddenly wanders away from home in a trance. Curious about Alice's mental state, Sylvia eventually comes across an abadoned tin factory where Alice's body turns up dead. Sylvia, meanwhile, gets a frightful scare in an accidental encounter with a walking corpse! After collecting a number of scientific clues, Forbes, Sylvia and Peter eventually uncover a devious scheme conducted by Clive Hamilton (John Carson), the town's wealthy Squire. The suave and sadistic Hamilton is secretly performing voodoo rituals to infect innocent villagers with zombification; once transformed, the living dead are forced into slavery, working endlessly in the tin factory's underground mines. In a wicked pattern, Hamilton preys upon each victim by politely asking for a drink of water, dropping the glass and forcing each person to cut his/her skin. This enables the Squire to collect drops of blood and seal each victim's fate with black magic. After discovering this, the alarmed Sir James and Peter race against time; they must break into Hamilton's estate and rescue Sylvia before SHE becomes the Squire's latest zombie slave!
Like I said before, this film is guaranteed to hold your interest in place. Beware for a few scares! Wide-eyed corpses will rise from their graves only to be decapitated and set on fire! Also watch out for masked figures wearing hollow masks and dripping blood into wooden coffins!

Hammer's Only Excursion Into Zombie Horror
By 1966 Hammer Studios were among the leaders in producing stylish horror stories often in a period setting and they were responsible for resurrecting most of the great horror characters of Hollywood's heyday like Dracula, Frankenstein and The Mummy who had been out of favour for almost a decade. The Zombie genre strangely was never a subject Hammer explored, the sole exception being this beautiful 1966 production of "Plague of the Zombies". It incorporates most of the elements made famous by Hammer, an English setting last century, a mysterious plague settling on the unsuspecting townspeople, a dark secret that needs unravelling, and ghoulish deceased residents rising from the dead for a sinister purpose. This film makes terrific viewing with some of Hammer's best atmospheric and makeup work on show in a beautiul full colour production.

"Plague of the Zombies", takes place in a small Cornwall village where a mysterious epidemic is decimating the population. The victims develop a strange lethargy and then die from undeterminable causes. The village doctor Dr. Peter Thompson (Brook Williams), is completely baffled so he writes to his old college mentor in London Sir James Forbes asking him to come down to help solve this problem. Sir James travels down with his daughter Sylvia (Diane Clare). who is a friend of Peter's wife Alice. Upon arriving however they discover that many strange things are going on. They first encounter trouble with the local Squire Clive Hamilton who has recently arrived in the area after a period in Haiti and owns a large estate that includes a disused tin mine. Peter informs them that the villagers distrust him and wont let him perform an autopsy on any of the plague victims making a treatment impossible. Alice alarmingly is also suffering from the epidemic. Sylvia's suspicions are raised when she sees the Alice wandering off into the forest at night. Following her she comes into contact with Squire Hamilton and his young ruffian friends and fears for her life. Alice is later found dead and a local villager found near the body states that he has seen his recently deceased brother wandering in the area with a ghoulish zombie-like appearance. Sir James begins to suspect Squire Hamilton of foul play and after further investigation involoving a clandestine visit to the Hamilton estate, he dicovers that the squire is using voodoo practices from his days in the Carribean to firstly kill and then ressurect the deceased villagers as zombie like slaves to work in his tin mine. Watching Alice's fresh grave Sir. James and Peter witness a ghastly scene whereby Alice's body is turned into a zombie and Sir James is forced to kill her in front of Peter. Squire Hamilton has meanwhile singled out Sylvia as his next target and while visiting her manages to get a sample of her blood which he then uses in his magic magic ritual to lure her into his clutches. Arriving just in time to save her Peter and Sir James witness the whole of the interior of the mine erupt into flames with the Squire and his unfortunate zombie followers consumed in the holocaust.

With it being one of the most atmospheric of the Hammer productions, "Plague of the Zombies", also displays good acting by the leads and an overall beautiful film with high production values. The superb zombie makeup is some of the best ever created at Hammer with the ghoulish grey faces and rotting skin a real stand out. The famous dream sequence of the zombies clawing their way out of their graves in the mist shrouded graveyard is one of the most remarkably eerie scenes in any Hammer production. Fine performances are delivered by Hammer regular Andre Morell as Sir. James Forbes who is excellent in his investigator role trying to solve the mystery and the two female leads are also most capable with Jacqueline Pierce as Alice being so effective that she returned in director John Gilling's next production of "The Reptile", playing the title character. John Carson makes a terrifically sinister Squire Hamilton who is at the centre of all the trouble and Hammer regular Michael Ripper lends his always excellent support as the befuddled Sargeant trying to help out in solving this mystery. Composer James Bernard contributes an eerie score combining the wild Carribean elements with the more traditional Gothic tones so typical of Hammer. Lush colour photography and Victorian flavour, the typical Hammer trademarks, are amply used here alongside the "greyish"toned scenes with the zombies to startling effect.

Despite having a fairly obvious story and villian "Plague of the Zombies", is a first rate horror story. Hammer Studios had a way with stories such as this where the violence in minimal and the blood letting kept to the background. The zombie scenes alone make "Plague of the Zombies", memorable horror viewing before more famous zombie stories surfaced on screen in following years. For some atmospheric chills in the mist shrouded English countryside make sure you see Hammer's "Plague of the Zombies". ... Read more

Reviews (24)

Excellent Paranoid Science Fiction from Hammer
One of Hammer's relatively few sci-fi thrillers, and a sequel to the Quatermass Xperiment, this film is a minor classic of cold chilling paranoia. Adapted by Nigel Kneale from his classic BBC serial, this film has a basic premise similar to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but taken into very different directions. Not to give too much away, but the joy of this film is not in watching the alien plot to take over earth unfold, it's in watching Professor Quatermass uncover the already widespread conspiracy. Photographed in beautifully stark monochrome with a great pseudodocumentary approach, Quatermass 2 is a great example of the sort of sci-fi/horror hybrid that became popular later with films like Alien and, along with the other two films in the series and the sadly unavailable The Damned, one of Hammer's best attempts at science fiction.

If ever a Movie deserved a Remake...This is it!
Quatermass 2 (pronounced like equator and not quarter) is utterly flawless. This DVD B/W film is superbly vibrant and crisp. The dialogue however seems to drown on occassion while conversely the accent music will send you seeking a lower setting on the volume control. This was one of the scariest movies I can remember from my youth when it was titled "Enemy from Space", and believe it or not, it still maintains some of its punch.

The movie starts with Quatermass avoiding a car accident with a young couple, one of which is delirious with a strange V-shaped blister on his face. Quatermass, averting the accident, lends his assistance. In trying to ascertain the delirium of the man, the women tells Quatermass they heard "falling" sounds. She gives him a medium size rock she says her friend was investigating when it exploded in his face. The name of a town where the blister was received is mentioned.

Quatermass is a rocket scientist with a government grant-supported research facility to build a rocket to colonize other planets. Unfortunately he has chosen nuclear propulsion to power the untested rocket. The idea of a mishap during launch or recovery has caused the government to withdraw support of his project.

Upon his return to his facility, Quatermass notices that his radar dish is pointed abnormally low to the ground. Quatermass indignantly chastises his top two scientists for the low radar dish and gives them the broken rock from the accident for classification. The scientist do not get to explain that have been tracking a continuous cascade of objects to the earth about 90 mile away. Quatermass, realizing his anger is over his concerned for the lack of funding for the project apologizes and moans over a 3D model of a colonization facility envisioned for the moon. The fellow scientist are informed of the lack of future funding as Quatermass leaves to confer with his nuclear engineers at the nearby launch pad.

The next day, when Quatermass returns, another scientist questions him about the rock. He tells him he cannot classify it and that it is cylindrical in shape both inside and out. When asked where he got it from, they are informed of Quatermass' near accident. When the name of the town is mentioned the scientists realize that this is the approximate landing location of the tracked falling objects. They check a map and Quatermass and one of the scientist travel to the area the next day.

Upon arrival at the area the road forks into two directions. The fork to the map-indicated town is government-posted as NO ENTRY so they take the other fork which leads to an abrupt end of the concrete roadway. Getting out of the car, Quatermass warns his young assistant not to walk beyond the concrete for fear of government placed security mines. They get back into the car and to go back to the other fork. As they leave the scene, in the distance, armed uniformed personnel wearing gas masks emerge from the surrounding foilage.

Disregarding the government postings, they take the other fork. On a high ridge, Quatermass gasps. His assistant peers through Quatermass' window and says "Oh no!". In the distance is a fully functional replica of their 3D moon colonization facility, two miles square, surrounded by security fencing with three overpowering pressurized domes about 200 feet high. They get out seeing ruins they surmise must be the missing town. They also discover small rocks like the one given Quatermass scattered all over the hillside. Some of the "rocks" are old, some recent and all broken except one buried in the ground. The assistant digs it up as Quatermass protests to "leave it alone".....In the distance the loud echo of a siren begins

Its not my intention to narrate the complete story but as you can see, the plot compounds marvelously. The backgrounds are time-neutral, even the characters suits are even back in style. Vehicles are vintage and could be considered old, but current. Scenes (in London particularly) are somewhat devoid of anachronisms so much that if this film were colorized you could almost imagine a CG team cleaning up those period giveaways and updating this original film. But what the hey, this is truly a classic and if ever a movie deserved a remake, this is it. You could say, this is not rocket science.

This is Hammer?
I couldn't even get past the first half hour of this movie before turning it off ... deeply disapponted. It looks like bad 50's American sci-fi, it's hard to believe that this is a Hammer film. Buy this film if you like "The day the Earth Stood Still" or other cheese like that.

Overrated
I got this video after reading the various viewer responses and found it tedious. Britain has provided us with some terrific Sci-fi movies despite low budgets, but this one has all the tension of an uncooked sausage and generally looks pretty silly - the costumes are dated, the characters cliched, and the "monster" is too silly for words. I place this film right down there with the worst of American 50's black lagoons!

As dull as it gets
I love old movies--gothic, sci. fi.--you name it. But I was very disappointed in this one. I could just go on and on, but suffice it to say that except for the crisp b&w filmography this movie has no (zero) redeeming qualities about it whatsoever. It's not even "funny bad." I wish I could give zero stars, but one is as low as it is allowed to go. How sad. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Pardon Me While I Shed My Skin...
Harry and Valerie Spalding (Ray Barrett and Jennifer Daniel) have just moved into a nice little cottage in a nice little town. Well, Harry's brother Charles (David Baron) used to live in the nice little cottage before his sudden death from... what?? The coroner calls it "heart failure", but the townsfolk know that Charles actually died from the mysterious "black death"! We know they're right, as we get to watch Charles die by turning black and foaming at the mouth Cujo-style! Soon, Harry and Valerie encounter Dr. Franklyn (Noel Willman) and his shy, beautiful daughter Anna (Jaqueline Pearce), who live in a huge mansion with a menacing indian guy. This man seems to have a strange hold on the Franklyns, especially Anna. When another man called Mad Peter falls victim to the "black death", Harry and newfound friend Tom (Michael Ripper) find two small holes on old Pete's neck. Putting things together, they dig up Harry's brother, and discover the same bite-marks on his neck as well! Harry pays another visit to the Franklyn estate, only to be attacked by the now fanged and bug-eyed Anna, who bites through Harry's shirt collar, sparing him from the full effects of her venom. While Harry lies in bed recovering, Valerie goes to help Anna, who has sent a note asking for help. Anna is in her secret lair beneath the house, recooperating from her latest molting. Her father has come down there to kill her, but is interrupted by Valerie's screams. Somehow, Dr. Franklyn manages to catch the house on fire, waking Anna from her slumber. We finally get a good look at snake-gal and boy is she ugly! All green and whatnot! Anyway, Anna attacks dad and does him in, while Valerie tries to escape the burning mansion. Snake-Anna and Valerie meet at last! I'll leave you hanging there. THE REPTILE is a well made gothic with loads of atmosphere and good characters. Check it out...

A rare horror film in which the monster is a woman
"The Reptile," the 1966 film directed by John Gilling, is set in the turn-of-the-century Cornish village of Clagmore Heath, where the superstitious villages are once again succumbing to an unknown malady after a wealthy stranger has moved into the local mansion. Even when a local man is attacked and his throat bitten, the village officials call in heart failure despite the fact the victim foams at the mouth and turns green. What makes this particular monster mystery interesting is that this time we are dealing with a female! Again, it is painfully obvious that is it is the reclusive Anna (Jacqueline Pearce in her most sensual role) who is the snake-woman in question. As the father who tries to protect her, Noel Willman provides one of the better and even complex roles in a Hammer film as it heads towards its inevitable tragic outcome. But the star of the show is Roy Ashton's makeup for the title creature, in what proved to be his final film for the studio. "The Reptile" makes an excellent double-bill with "The Plague of Zombies" since they are made by the same studio, same director, in the same setting, using the same sets, with obvious parallels to the stories as well.

Great Atmosphere In Highly Effective Hammer Horror
In any discussion of this 1966 Hammer production mention almost always is made of the fact that this film was made almost along side Hammer's other big effort of that time "The Plague of the Zombies", using alot of the same sets and cast and employing the same director, John Gilling. "The Reptile", usually comes off the worse when the two are compared but I've always had a great fondness for this film which incorporates a very sinister premise with great photography and an extremely interesting and I might add quite, frightening central creature of the title. Hammer's seemingly favourite locale for their films, the moors of Cornwall, serves ideally as the backdrop for this tale of far eastern curses and underlying menace. The slow build up to what is really happpening also adds greatly to the tension as a number of red herrings are put in place to distract the viewer from finding out why things are happening. The eventual full appearance of the "reptile" of the title comes well into the running time and certainly comes off as one of Hammer's most effective horror creations.

"The Reptile", begins with the strange death of Charles Spalding a newish resident of a small Cornwall village. He is attacked by an unknown creature while in the home of the mysterious Dr. Franklyn. As his funeral is quickly conducted in the village graveyard we find out that he is not the first resident to die a horrible death in recent times. Charles' brother Harry (Ray Barrett) inherits all of his property including his small cottage on the edge of the moor and along with his wife Valerie (Jennifer Daniel) decides to travel down to Cornwall and set up residence there. Their arrival in the village however produces some strange reactions among the locals and only the local innkeeper Tom Bailey (Hammer veteran Michael Ripper), befriends the couple and tries to warn them of what might be in store for them in the village. Harry and Valerie make the acquaintance of "Mad Peter", the local eccentric who soon after dies a horrible death with the same symptons, always passed off simply as "heart failure", that Charles had. Each victim has the same strange wound on the neck and blackened face that seemingly comes from some fanged animal and spreads a strange poison throughout the body causing almost instant death. Harry suspects their very strange and inhospitable neighbour Dr. Franklyn is behind the mysterious deaths and his curiosity is further aroused when the doctor's heavily dominated daughter Anna (Jacqueline Pearce),is seemingly kept away from contact with others. The presense in the doctor's house of a mysterious man servant (Marne Maitland) who seems to have an unexplained hold over the household adds further to the Harry's suspicions about the doctor. After investigating Dr. Franklyn's house late at night for clues Harry is attacked and nearly dies from the same wound as the earlier victims. While Harry is recovering Valerie is lured to the house by a note from Anna asking for help. It is revealed that Dr. Franklyn is not the guilty party afterall as he is the one cursed by an ancient religious cult from South East Asia that worships snakes and has turned his daughter into a half woman, half reptile as punishment for him interfering in their secret society. Anna now awakens from her reptilian slumber and attacks Valerie in the house after she has already killed her father. However in the fight with her father a fire begins which destroys not only the house but Anna as well.

John Gilling reveals a sure hand in his direction of "The Reptile", and wisely doesn't allow the audience to see clearly the creature in question till well into the film's running time. The film has a most suitable air of anticipation and uncertainity about it and about who actually is doing the murders. The whole scenerio of the secret snake worshipping cult taking revenge on outsiders by turning them into part reptiles is certainly an intriguing one and is well employed in this story set in Victorian England. Special effects wise the film may not be as spectacular as Gillings other effort "The Plague of the Zombies", however the reptile's makeup created by Hammer's resident makeup artist Roy Ashton is really first class for the time and makes for one of Hammer's more memorable creature creations. The vivid use of half light and strange far away music usually heard just before one of the horrific murders is eerily appropiate. Performances are all first rate with Ray Barrett who was not a regular Hammer productions regular a stand out in the pivotal role of Harry Spalding. Noel Willman as the supposedly sinister Dr. Franklyn is excellent and his character is one of the most interesting in the cast changing as it does from being the villian to being a man trying to save others from the curse that has wreaked his family. The always reliable Michael Ripper a veteran of countless Hammer Studio productions, for once is given a role of some substance as the innkeeper who helps Harry solve the mystery of who is committing the murders in the village. As with all Hammer efforts the strong period flavour is first rate and use of actual locations in the moors and in the stately but sinister looking mansion adds hugely to the horror element in the story.

If Gothic horror of the old school is your forte then "The Reptile", is a perfect piece of viewing. Hammer studios had a way with bringing these types of stories to the big screen and this film in particular allows the viewer to guess for quite awhile about what actually is going to happen before revealing all. This 1960's type of horror story telling sadly is a definite thing of the past and stories like that of "The Reptile", would possibly appear too slow moving for most modern audiences. I however feel this is a most interesting horror tale enlivened but sincere performances by a professional cast. Enjoy Hammer's excursion into curses and secret religious intrigues in John Gilling's "The Reptile".

Curse of the Deadly Reptile Hickey
The Reptile (1966) is directed by John Gilling, who was also responsible for much better known film, The Plague of the Zombies (1966), released in the same year. One thing I've noticed about his style of direction is that the pacing is methodical and steady, drawing out the story, focusing on building up to a climatic finish. That is certainly the case with The Reptile.

The film takes place in a small English village and starts out with a brutal attack that leads to a grisly and violent death of a local man. The man's brother, Harry George Spaulding (Ray Barrett) arrives with his new wife, Valerie, played by Jennifer Daniel, to take possession of his brother's cottage. As they arrive to the small town, they notice an underlying sense of dread permeating the air. The townspeople are wary of strangers, partly due to the number of recent deaths attributed to 'heart failure' for lack of a proper autopsy.

As the young couple moves into the small cottage despite the warnings of a number of local individuals, strange noises are heard, and another death occurs literally at their front door. The Spaulding's meet their affluent neighbor, Dr. Franklyn (Noel Willman) and his daughter Anna (Jacqueline Pearce). They soon discover the death of Harry's brother is somehow linked to the Franklyns.

While watching this film, I had an idea of what happening and who the killer was, but I didn't know the circumstances behind why the murders were taking place. This information is revealed much later, near the end of the film, in a rather clunky chunk of exposition. I was expecting a much larger conspiracy, something to do with a cult or a little known sect, so I was a little surprised and a little let down when the truth was finally revealed. It just seemed to me the way the plot played out that this was where it was headed.

Some viewers may consider the pacing to be slow, and it was, but I thought it more deliberate, allowing for us to really get involved with the characters, and I did appreciate it. There were some minor holes in the story along the way, but they did little to quash my enjoyment of the movie. The sets, locations, costumes, all worked really well, creating a sense of the time period and atmosphere common to many earlier Hammer releases. The actors all performed well, really bringing their characters to life. I would have liked to learned more of the Franklyn's mysterious Indian butler, played by Marne Maitland, who turned out to be much more than a mere servant, as he was a critical character but had little development. His connections to the Franklyn's was merely touched on, but never truly illuminated.

Roy Ashton's makeup for the snake creature is quite good, and is shown fairly well on the cover of the DVD. The effect of the snakebite on the various victims was very hideous, involving a darkening of the skin by the bite and foaming at the mouth. The townspeople, unaware or too scared to look into it further, called the effects the 'black death' for lack of a better diagnosis.

Anchor Bay does a wonderful job releasing this lesser known Hammer movie, providing an excellent print and a number of special features. Included are theatrical trailer and TV spots, a featurette on Hammer films called 'Vamps' narrated by Oliver Reed, and a nice mini card reproducing a movie poster for the film along with Rasputin - The Mad Monk (1966) which led me to believe maybe these two films were released as a double feature. Not a bad Hammer film, certainly better that some of the other films they released at the end of the 60's and into the 70's as their productions became cheaper and quality suffered.

Cookieman108

Eve, The Serpent, and The Punishment...what, no Apple!
Warning!!! Thematic Spoilers Ahead

The similarities in plot point and theme to Hammer's "The Gorgon" make "The Reptile" less effective than it would have been if I hadn't have seen the other film first. Actually, "The Reptile" is the better of the two films with better acting, a more clever plot, better plot development, a more shocking monster/Monster's First Scene, and it's rather humorous retelling of the Adam and Eve tale.

In this version, it is a Professor of Old Religions and Cults rather than Eve who goes out in search of Knowledge and encounters a secret Snake Cult. He digs too deeply into their mysteries and the Cult takes out their vengeance in a particularly nasty way. In this retelling, his penance is exacted from the daughter. She becomes half-snake, half-human, shedding her skin yearly and using her fangs and venom regularly and without provocation anytime the cult deems her in need of a journey to the depths of her demonic and lesser half.

And when the brother and sister-in-law of a recent victim decide to move into a cottage nearby the Professor's home, his daughter, in her better form, kindly decides to invite them to their last supper just when it is time for her to slither out her role as belly-crawler and redeemer of her father's sins. The depiction of her penance and eventual death without the usual resurrecting sequel continually fills me with thrills and chills of horror and delight, doing for me in ten minutes what "The Passion" does to Believers in two hours.

I only have one complaint...the DVD is too expensive for an old 60s film. At almost 30 dollars, it is ten dollars more than most all other DVDs available, almost as if it's reserved for the viewing pleasure of only a special, privileged few. Sort of like porno, yet it's not even incredibly gory or indecent, just an interesting and rare portrayal of an old, important, yet truth-filled theme. Overall, I love it, it's a fave and a royal hoot of a good time. Buy it on sale or on special so you won't be disappointed. It's low production values are why I gave it 4 stars. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

You make me feel like a natur...er...replicated woman...
From Terrance Fisher, director of such Hammer Studios classics as The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), Dracula (1958), and The Mummy (1959) comes the less than stellar, but still enjoyable, film, The Four Sided Triangle (1953).

This British production stars American actress Barbara Payton as Lena, James Hayter as Dr. Harvey, Stephen Murray as Bill and John Van Essyen as Robin. Payton, a once promising actress with a bright future, passed at the early age of 40 due to a series of volatile relationships and alcohol abuse.

The movie starts off by showing Lena, Robin, and Bill as youngsters, living in a small English town. The three are the best of friends, with Bill coming from a well to do family and being the practical one, Robin in a much less desirable existence with an abusive father who, along with his mother, pass early in Robin's childhood, leaving him in the care of Dr. Harvey, or 'Doc', as most call him, and Lena sort of in the middle of the two boys.

Time passes, and the boys go off to college, and Lena is taken to America. The boys return from college, and begin working on a fabulous invention, with Robin being the true inspiration behind the project. Lena also arrives, not being unable to find her place or purpose in life and returning to her childhood village. The three begin to work together, with Robin and Bill working on their invention, and Lena acting in the fashion of caretaker for the absorbed young men. Finally, Robin and Bill unveil their invention, the reproducer, a machine that has the ability to perfectly copy anything. The machine is a success, and the practical applications are astounding, but Robin, of the purely scientific mind, has become bored and decides to take the notion to the next step by 'reproducing' a living organism, despite Bill's moral objections. This is when Robin's 'mad scientist' persona really comes into its' own.

After the success of the machine, Bill and Lena announce their engagement, much to the heartbreak of Robin, who secretly harbored love for Lena, but, while able to conjure up fantastical ideas and devices, always had difficultly relating to people and dealing with interpersonal contact. After finally perfecting the process of duplicating living organisms and keeping them alive, Robin decides if he can't have Lena, then he would try to create a duplicate of her. Does it work? Well, yes and no...

Obviously a take on the Frankenstein story, this film plays out pretty well, despite its' slow build up. I really enjoyed all the spinning, whirling, popping gadgets and the tense moments at certain points within the film. There seemed to be more melodrama in the film than I would have expected, but it did serve to add to the development of the characters. At certain points, Dr. Harvey, despite meek objections, is enlisted by Robin to assist in his experiments with duplicating living creatures. This seemed a bit out of character, as I thought he would want nothing to do with this kind of thing, but instead he goes along, helping Robin down this uncertain and dangerous path. I suppose he knew Robin would proceed with or without his help, so he gave in, but I didn't see the internal struggle within the doctor I thought I would have.

Not a bad movie, and I enjoyed the marrying of the Frankenstein concept with the cloning aspect, providing some really far out ideas for people to ponder back in the time it was released. The picture quality is very good, and special features include a Hammer featurette called 'The Curse of Frankenstein', which talks about the Frankenstein genre within the world of Hammer films. Also included inside the case is a nice reproduction card of some original promotion material for the Four Sided Triangle.

Cookieman108

Worth a viewing for sci-fi fans...
This is not really a horror picture, as you might naturally expect from the Hammer logo, and the synopsis on the back of the case. Any horror here is not visceral, and not even psychological. If anything, the horror (such as it is), is posed philosophically.

Actually a sci-fi effort, "The Four Sided Triangle" is a very good British black and white film from 1953. The production values are really pretty good, although the film was obviously made inexpensively. I liked the cast, location shooting, cinematography, and the basic overall story, which is in the best tradition of sci-fi short stories.

Two scientists create a new process to "reproduce" matter from energy (think of a cross between a photocopier and the replicators on "Star Trek"). Both scientists are in love with the same girl, and one is bound to lose when she finally chooses between them. However, the loser hits upon the idea of replicating the girl, so everyone can be happy and get what they want... at least on paper.

The gadget at the center of the tale, the "reproducer", is important but incidental. The device serves to facilitate the "what if?" quality of the story, making the normally impossible suddenly somehow possible. Scientific explanations of the device are not necessary, because the story is about how the characters react to the new problems their invention creates. In other words, the real story is between the characters, and unlike today's cineplex-infesting tripe, the focus is not on the special effects.

The film asks big questions that it never answers, and even then, it only asks them indirectly. Regardless, while the film is not completely successful, it does manage satisfy.

Early (unsuccessful) Terence Fisher flick.
This film was made before Fisher found his stride in the later 50s with his classic versions of Frankenstein and Dracula. Hardcore Fisher fans might want to check it out; few others will be interested.

Early Hammer disaster.
Unfortunately, the script is irreconcilably one dimensional. Whilst some may claim this to be an interesting pre-curser of Fisher's later Hammer Frankensteins, it simply isn't - interesting that is. The notion of cloning may have been relatively unheard of then, but now it just seems ages old, and the approach in this film is certainly hackneyed. The script takes too long to build up to anything approaching unsettling, the actual reproducing machine (inspired title that one) sequences are incredibly long and boring, and the characterisation dangerously inept. Take, for instance, James Hayter's father figure doctor. Although expressing his strong abhorrence of Stephen Murray's ideas, he decides to help him out with an insouciant passivity that borders on the ludicrous. James Hayter's character is funny it has to be said... but only because he was written as the prehistoric stereotypical British stiff upper lip consummate professional, a person I'm not sure ever did exist. It's not Fisher's fault that the material's so bad - it would have taken a miracle worker to save this one.

As for the DVD, well the picture quality is as good as can be expected for a film of such age. In the area of extras however, one senses Anchor Bay were bored with the film themselves. No trailers or tv spots, no production notes, just the bog standard casually narrated hotch potch of clips that make up the feeble "world of Hammer" compilation show. The clips of Peter Cushing in the Frankenstein films are worth seeing though.

Interesting Concept - Stale Plot
Not necessarily Hammer's finest production, Four-Sided Triangle is interesting for its central concept, but a stale plot makes for a mostly dated and anemic film. The writer couldn't seem to make up his mind whether he wanted to emphasize the Frankenstein elements or be cloying and sympathetic to the plight of the scientist. The indecision costs the film dearly, as we end up mostly being bored stiff. Still, it wins a few stars for being novel for the era. Hammer fans will find little here that connects to the classics, as this film was produced in 1953, well before even the earliest hit, The Quatermass Experiment in 1955. There was one other upshot though, it was directed by Terence Fisher. ... Read more