A few thoughts: One of the lesser known Hammer productions of the '60s, this is a relatively standard movie for the company, minus the heavy use of prosthetics, which definitely helps set it apart. As could be expected of one of their movies, the set design and costumes are a major highlight here, but without any really great performances to suck you in, you wind up looking at the backgrounds far more often than you probably should. A majority of the film is spent building up into the final 20 minutes or so, which finally reveals the reptile makeup. Sadly, there isn't much tension as it goes along, the story and everything it attempts to build being a foregone conclusion. There aren't many twists, and by the time certain facts are revealed, you'll probably be slightly bored or uninterested with how it ends. This really isn't a bad movie (I do enjoy watching it) but it doesn't take any unfamiliar steps, the plot being very paint-by-numbers and formulaic. Not top-tier Hammer, but the visuals are still cool.
Hammer fans might find this interesting, but those seeking to get into their films should wait on it.
My grade: C-
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