The Reptile (1966), dir. John Gilling, Hammer Film Productions
Hammer was still going strong in the 1960s, which makes this a rather odd duck as the film is remarkable similar to 1964's the Gorgon only with the some of the deader parts removed.
Deep in the Cornish countryside sits the isolated village of Cleghorn Heath. Charles Spalding (David Baron) is walking around his estate, deep in thought. The village has been plagued by the actual plague with more people dying every week. He arrives back at his home to find a note from his only neighbor, Dr. Franklyn (Noel Wilman). The doctor implores him to come with all speed.
He arrives but finds no one. Exploring the house at length turns up his host, but the man implores him to run. A shadowy figure rushes out of the dark and bites Spalding on his neck and within seconds the man is dead, his body twisted and face black. The doc's manservant (Marne Maitland) drags the body out to the local cemetery.
Enter Harry Spalding (Ray Barrett), Charles's younger brother. Formerly of the Royal Grenadiers, Harry and his new bride Valerie (Jennifer Daniel) are a bit cash strapped at the moment and the new house and land come at a badly needed time.
The locals, however, are less than welcoming. In fact they're downright hostile. The only local who doesn't give them a cold shoulder is local pub owner Tom Bailey (Michael Ripper). He's a former Royal Navy man himself, so he and Tom hit it off. Valerie had an encounter herself, with Dr. Franklyn. He claims to be looking for his daughter Anna (Jacqueline Pearce) but the man's behavior is just off.
Harry has another encounter, this time with local character Mad Peter (John Laurie). He presses the fellow for info. Mad Peter gives up a little, mostly blaming 'them' for ruining the village, but he flees for his life when he hears some pipe music across the moor. He returns some time later, his face blackend and near death. His dying words prompt Harry to rush to the Franklyn household, but the doc is less than helpful.
An invitation to dinner proves less than ideal, as Franklyn seems on the edge of a nervous breakdown and Anna's just off-putting behavior does him no favors. Tom and Harry decide to get to the bottom of things, starting with a small bit of grave digging. Checking out the bodies of the recently deceased shows them, while they aren't doctors, both men know what a snake bite looks like and both Charles and Mad Peter had been bitten by something large.
What secret are the Franklyns hiding?
Shockingly good; Ripper is the real star and arguably the real hero too. Better than the Gorgon too, since this isn't tied to any mythology Hammer is free to set up any rules they want. A real hidden gem and worth seeing.
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