The Lost Continent/The Reptile
by John Gilling, Leslie Norman, Michael Carreras
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Jacqueline Pearce, Jennifer Daniel, Michael Ripper, Noel Willman, Ray BarrettDirector: John Gilling, Leslie Norman, Michael Carreras
Brand: Fox
Writer: Michael Carreras
Producer: Anthony Hinds
Writer: Anthony Hinds
Producer: Anthony Nelson Keys
Writer: Dennis Wheatley
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 188 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-07-27
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Movie Reviews of The Lost Continent/The Reptile
Movie Review: Psychedelic blast from the past
Summary: 5 Stars
I first stayed up to watch the Lost Continent when I was a kid. Always a fan of Hammer films, The Lost Continent is probably my favourite of all. Repeated viewings since have done nothing to diminish the film, if anything they have enhanced it. It is difficult to put this film into any single genre, it probably falls under a combination of action/fantasy/horror/sci fi.
It is based on the Dennis Wheatley novel Uncharted Seas, although there are substantial and necessary plot revisions in the film.
The story is set on a rust bucket tramp steamer - the SS Corita, carrying an illegal cargo of high explosive, a dubious collection of passengers, and helmed by a moody, sarcastic captain - a typically strong performance from Eric Porter. Supported by a solid cast, this really makes the film tick.
Among the passengers, Hildegard Knef is convincing as the wife of an exiled dictator, whom she is fleeing from. Tony Beckley plays the drunken playboy Basil. Nigel Stock plays a doctor fleeing from his dubious past, with his daughter in tow. Benito Carruthers plays a thug, sent after Knef's character. Among the crew is Neil McCallum as the pious Chief Engineer, Reg Lye as the helmsman, and Hammer regular Michael Ripper as the crew's barrackroom lawyer. The first half of the film sees the interaction of passengers and crew, the ship get damaged during a hurricane, a mutiny, and the abandoning of the ship. Later some of the crew and passengers return to the ship and this sees the second half of the film where they encounter man eating seaweed, a graveyard of ships, gigantic crustaceans and celapods, and the survivors of the previous shipwrecks, ruled over by the Spanish Inquisition.
The dvd release has 8 mins of unreleased footage which enhances and fleshes out the film nicely, making it a more complete viewing experience.
Despite its age, the film creates a truly original and imaginative fantasy setting, with its yellow skies, swirling mists, and oceans of voracious seaweed. Hammer imported the top SFX guys from Disney for this, one of their most expensive films, to give it its unique and original look. Enhancing this is the superb psychedelic musical score of Gerard Schurmann, coupled with the great title track, performed by The Peddlers.
For sheer movie originality and escapism, this one hits the spot. Sit back and let it take you away to a vivid and frightening world of imagination, with one of the most original movie scores ever, to accompany you on the way. Simply superb.
The Reptile is one of Hammer's lesser known outings and is set in the English countryside. A series of mysterious and unpleasant deaths happen around a mansion, inhabited a Doctor of Theology and his mysterious daughter.
Noel Willman is the academic and his daughter is played by none other than Jacqueline Pearce who played Servalan in Blake's 7. Hammer regular, Michael Ripper appears as one of the locals, as does John Laurie, known to millions as Private Fraser from Dad's Army.
Not quite in the league of The Lost Continent, The Reptile is, nonetheless, a very watchable and suspense filled film. Plays a great supporting role to The Lost Continent.
Summary of The Lost Continent/The Reptile
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