Reptilicus * (1961, Carl Ottosen, Ann Smymer, Bent Mejding, Asbjørn Andersen, Povl Wøldike) – Classic Movie Review 8348

Director Sidney W Pink’s 1961 low-budget monster movie Reptilicus is a pretty daft and badly done sci-fi horror action movie, in which part of a prehistoric monster’s frozen tail is discovered by copper miners and taken to an aquarium in Copenhagen.

The giant, acid spitting monster comes back to life when the tail thaws out in a science accident and regenerates into the entire reptile, which then proceeds to rampage in wonderful Copenhagen, terrorising the city and destroying all in its wake. Professor Martens (Asbjørn Andersen) is appalled!

Despite being a rubber puppet, it is a formidable monster impenetrable scales, as it can fly, swim and stomp around, giving the Danish military, led by UN- appointed American general Mark Grayson (Carl Ottosen) a major headache to try to kill it, especially when they discover that blowing up Reptilicus would create hundreds of little creatures.

With the cheap-looking rubber puppet monster and Godzilla-like themes, Reptilicus is amusing and offers plenty of unintentional laughs for those in the mood to scoff. It is, however, possibly notable as Denmark’s first, and only giant monster movie.

It stars Bent Mejding, Asbjørn Andersen, Povl Wøldike, Carl Ottosen, Ann Smymer, Mimi Heinrich, Dirch Passer, Ole Wisborg, Bodil Miller, Birthe Wilke and Marlies Behrens [Marla Behrens].

It was filmed in both a Danish-language version directed by Poul Bang, and an English-language version directed by producer Sidney W Pink, where Marlies Behrens dubbed Bodil Miller, who could not speak English.

Reptilicus is directed by Poul Bang (Danish-language version) and Sidney W Pink (English language version), runs 82 minutes, is made by Saga Studio and Cinemagic, is distributed by American International Pictures (1962) (US) and Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (1963) (UK), is written by Ib Melchior (screenplay) and Sidney W Pink (original story and screenplay), is shot in Pathécolor by Age Wiltrup, is produced by Sidney W Pink and is scored by Sven Gyldmark.

The American version deletes a few scenes where Reptilicus flies because Sidney W Pink thought they looked ‘unconvincing’.

A paperback novelisation with gratuitous sexual content was published at the time, as was a very short-lived comic book series that lasted only two issues.

Both American and Danish versions of the film are available on DVD.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8348

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