Reptilicus (1961)

User Rating:

3.7/10   

Directors:

Poul Bang
Sidney W. Pink

Writers:

Ib Melchior (writer)
Sidney W. Pink (screenplay)

Release Date:

20 February 1961 (Denmark)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Invincible...Indestructible! What was this awesome BEAST born 50 million years out of time?

Plot:

A portion of the tail of a prehistoric reptile is discovered in Denmark. It regenerates into the entire reptile...

Plot Keywords:

Monster | Rampage | Green Slime | Fire | Bridge Collapse

Cast

Carl Ottosen	...	Gen. Mark Grayson
Ann Smyrner	...	Lise Martens
Mimi Heinrich	...	Karen Martens
Asbjørn Andersen	...	Prof. Otto Martens
Bodil Miller	...	Connie Miller (Danish version)
Bent Mejding	...	Svend Viltorft (drilling crew chief)
Povl Wøldike	...	Dr. Peter Dalby
Dirch Passer	...	Dirch Mikkelsen
Ole Wisborg	...	Capt. Brandt (Royal Danish Guard)
Birthe Wilke	...	Herself (nightclub singer)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marlies Behrens	...	Connie Miller (American version) (as Marla Behrens)
Jørgen Blaksted	...	Naval officer
Mogens Brandt	...	Police Chief Hassing
Børge Møller Grimstrup	...	Danish farmer
Egon Gydesen	...	Danish soldier
Knud Hallest	...	Naval officer
Svend Johansen	...	Naval officer
Benny Juhlin	...	Danish soldier
Kjeld Petersen	...	Police Officer Olsen
Hardy Rafn		(as Hardy Rafn Jensen)
Martin Stander
Alex Suhr	...	Alex (drilling crew)
Poul Thomsen	...	Orlogskaptajn
Claus Toksvig	...	Himself (Narrator)
Bent Vejlby	...	Danish soldier
Alfred Wilken

Runtime:

USA:82 min | Denmark:92 min

Country:

Denmark | USA

Language:

Danish | English

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Denmark:A | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company:

America-International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

Two versions were filmed: One was the original Danish version, and the other was filmed with the actors speaking English. All actors were in both versions, except for actress Bodil Miller, who was unable to speak English. Her character of Connie Miller was played in the English-speaking version by Marlies Behrens. American International Pictures used the English version for the US release, and not only heavily edited it, but dubbed over the Danish actors.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: The monster repeatedly changes scale as compared to buildings and people.

Movie Connections:

Edited into Out of this World Super Shock Show (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

Tivoli Nights

A nice little gem from Denmark

I recently watched Reptilicus for the first time and found it quite enjoyable, despite the low budget and cheap looking monster.

A frozen tail of a prehistoric monster is found in Denmark and is brought to a laboratory in Copenhagen to be studied. It has to be kept frozen at all times but one night, a scientist who has stayed behind to do some work does not shut the door properly and falls asleep. As a result of this, the tail thaws out and grows into a giant prehistoric reptile and escapes from the lab, kills the scientist and another man in the building and goes on the rampage in Copenhagen. The military try all they can to kill it but fail. It is eventually frozen to death.

The monster in this movie is a rubber puppet due to the low budget. It looks more funny than scary. Despite this, the movie is beautifully shot in colour.

This movie is a must for bad movie and sci fi fans. Great fun.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.