Reptilicus

Being a Dane and being born in the 1970s, then I would eventually get acquainted with "Reptilicus", especially since it is a cult movie here in Denmark. But I will try to keep a neutral viewpoint on my review here.

Taking into consideration that the movie is from 1961, then of course the effects were bound to be limited and also to be nothing compared to the effects of modern day movies. With that in mind, then lets just put it out in the clear; the movie had horrible effects. No doubt about it.

The creature, Reptilicus, might have worked in thought and concept idea, but brought to the big screen in 1961 it was an eyesore to look at. It was so obviously fake that it fooled no one. And it is fun to witness how there are no scenes with actual people interacting with Reptilicus. Sure there were some scenes where Reptilicus was in the backdrop of scenes with people, but even then it looked painfully fake. And in my lifelong track record of watching movies, then I have never seen anything as fake and laughable than the scene where Reptilicus eats a farmer that decides to bolt and leave his wife and children to fend for themselves in a crumbling farmhouse. It was awful to witness, and I keep laughing every time I watch the movie.

Should you decide to sit down and watch "Reptilicus", then make sure that you don't get a fully dubbed English language version, because it it just insulting to the movie. "Reptilicus" should be watched in its original Danish language (albeit there still is some English in the original Danish version as well). And to further add insult to injury then the English dubbed version is left with the spontaneous song by actor Dirch Passer cut out. I was outraged by that editing, because that song is great. Yeah, I have watched the original Danish language version and the English dubbed version of course.

Aside from a very questionable reptilian creature which moves about by pulled strings and spewing some equally fake green slime, then the scenes with Reptilicus was also sporting very fake buildings, toy cars and train model trees.

"Reptilicus" is one of those types of movies that are so bad that they are fun to watch, and that is the reason why I have watched the movie three times by now. It is fun to return to watch it every now and then with years in between, because it never stops to amuse me.

This movie might certainly have put Denmark on the monster creature features map of the world, but sadly it is not because the movie was a great movie. But hey, even crappy movies can make a lasting impression.

And even though I am rating "Reptilicus" a mere four out of ten stars, then it is still a movie that is entertaining and one that it well-worth to be able to say "yes, I have seen that one!".

An original title may be the only saving grace of "Reptilicus", but somehow it works subliminally on one's head... I can't forget the beast's expressions, there are at least two shots in which it has a strange sad grimace, although the origin of this creature is so weird that one can hardly develop sympathy or any other kind of emotion for it, as it often happens with film monsters. The character of the American general is not a very pleasant fellow, but the filmmakers put the weight of 70% of their movie on his shoulder, since the engineer does not do much and the professor is not only too old but also a cardiac patient... Then there is a bit of comic relief, two daughters that add nothing to the plot, a little travelogue of Copenhagen, a musical number, two different scores, and beautiful Miss Germany 1958 playing the leading lady in the American version. No more choices. Strange bad film, but somehow unforgettable. Maybe it has to do with poor Reptilicus. When I see things like this, that needed more than its two-cent budget I wonder why they made it.

Reptilicus is truly a bad, but fun movie to watch. From the incredibly awful monster which was photographed in such an unconvincing manner as to look exactly as big as it was (about 2 feet long) to the routine "giant monster on the loose in the city" plot to the inept acting.

However, this movie *does* have some decent moments. The first few minutes in the beginning when the drillers find the fairly gross pieces of meat and blood on the drill from boring into the hide of Reptilicus buried deep underground (with the movie's title literally leaping from the main character's blood stained hands) and the creepy sequence when the creature comes to life in the storm brings a few chills to the undemanding monster movie lover. A skinned cow's head also adds a bit of gore to the movie. Also, the dubbing is fairly good and not too noticeable. The dialog itself however, is comically bad.

Of course, the movie has an abundance of unintentional laughs and the monster itself is the main focus here. Reptilicus is probably the *worst* looking giant monster ever created. Looking like a bargain basement toy snake with an oversized head and fangs with some useless little feet and wings glued on it and some red glop slathered in it's mouth, it wobbles and swings its head as if a single fishing line from above controls all of it's movements. The detail in the crummy model houses and buildings it destroys is below an HO scale train set. Reptilicus occasionally vomits some crudely animated day-glow green "acid slime" at people but you never see it's affects on anyone. At one point, Reptilicus destroys a farm and eats some guy in a plaid shirt which is actually a very poorly animated cartoon figure!

Now here's a few tidbits not well known about this movie:

It was originally shot in Copenhagen in the native Danish language. There was about an additional 10 minutes of dialog that was cut in the US English dubbed release. Reptilicus did *not* spit acid goo, as this was added in the US release. There were no slow motion shots of the monster in the original version. Most importantly, Reptilicus actually *flew* in a few scenes! Very much like the Japanese original "Godzilla" movie, this movie was substantially altered for US release.

However, the original version is just as "bad" as the US version.

This movie was just released in August 2001 as a budget priced R1 dvd with a very nice, full frame transfer which includes a trailer for the movie.

Reptilicus is a classic film of the merits and failings of science. The creature is discovered as miners dig up tissue of an ancient "fossil", later that tissue is essentially grown in a nutrient-rich vat by scientists. Big surprise, the creature regenerates and goes amok. This is classic Hollywood, yet it is filmed, acted, directed and produced by the good people of Denmark.

The scenery is beautiful, the actors play the perfect American stereotypes of the era. Sure the monster is cheesy but, given the time and technology available, this film was pretty entertaining.

There are a legion of American-made monster movies that pale in comparison with Reptilicus. What most viewers tend to forget is that the modern concept of the monster movie was still new in 1961. Cheesy monster-effects are what really sold me on this movie.

Carl Ottesen playing General Mark Grayson was the key character of the movie. He could easily be moved to a multitude of roles in US films playing the hardened American officer sick of dealing with bureaucrats and been the guy to "push the button". Kudos to Carl for being ahead of of his time.

This movie is a much a classic to cinema as "King Kong" and "Godzilla". Take off the "critic-hat" and give it a chance.

Without a doubt the best BAD movie ever made. From beginning to end, "Reptilicus" has it all:

1) Weird Location: Copenhagen 2) Bad Dubbing: Phonetic English over Danish 3) Cheesiest Monster: Rubber snake hand puppet thingy 4) Worst acting: Carl Ottosen as Gen. Mark Grayson, plus the whole cast! 5) Worst stock footage: Obviously unrelated to the movie 6) Worst special effects: Acid vomit + cut-out farmer entree' 7) Worst crowd control: Copenhagenagers running amok!

I know there are CHEAPER monster flicks out there, but "Reptilicus" gets the honorary "OsKar" for totally bad in all major respects. I dare you to watch it and not laugh... a lot.