A worthwhile addition to the Hammer Horror filmography. Following the unexplained passing of his brother, Harry Spalding (Ray Barrett) and his wife Valerie (Jennifer Daniel) relocate to a cottage they’ve inherited in a quiet village nestled within Cornwall's countryside. Upon arriving, they encounter a chilly reception from most of the villagers, with bartender and pub owner Tom Bailey (Michael Ripper) being the one exception. The couple finds themselves even more puzzled when their peculiar neighbors, Dr. Franklyn (Noel Willman) and his daughter Anna (Jacqueline Pearce), strongly urge them to sell the house and depart as quickly as possible. Despite this, Harry and Valerie choose to remain, only to uncover that their brother’s death wasn't an isolated incident. Are there any grounds for the rumors of the Black Death? And could the unusual Franklyn family possess the answers? Despite a troubled production history, this is a well-made Hammer film. It’s now widely known that *The Reptile* was filmed consecutively with *Plague Of The Zombies*, meaning it shared the same impressive sets. However, due to budgetary constraints, issues with makeup, and frequent script revisions, the filming process wasn't easy for those involved. Consequently, it’s somewhat unexpected how well the film turned out. There is a compelling atmosphere of mystery that permeates the entire story, and it’s refreshing to see a Hammer production centered on its characters. While viewers are eager to witness the "creature" mentioned in the title, director John Gilling deliberately withholds this for much of the runtime. As a result, when the final act arrives and the plot's secrets are revealed, the impact is amplified; despite any problems with the makeup effects, the “creature” itself is impressive and contributes positively to the horror genre. The acting from all involved is consistently good, particularly Ripper’s restrained portrayal, while Don Banks’ musical score hits every mark. Originally released as a supporting film alongside *Rasputin The Mad Monk*, *The Reptile* stands out as a Hammer treasure that deserves greater recognition beyond British audiences. 8/10

Source on TMDB