Up From The Depths Reviews | Reptilicus (1961)

[@christopherwall2121]

On one hand, Reptilicus' design is a pretty faithful realization of Viking art of dragons. On the other hand, perhaps that level of literal design was impenetrable?

[@ShinGoji1987Official]

I've always liked Reptilicus's premise, his regenerative powers made him intimidating. Just wish the film's execution of him was better.

[@The_PokeSaurus]

Same here.

[@randybarnett2308]

His re -- gen is similar to Wolverine's .

[@ShinGoji1987Official]

@@randybarnett2308 Lol right! I always thought it was creepy how he just came back from his tail xD It's like Ghidorah from the last rebirth of mothra film lol

[@slagarcrue85]

I’ve always loved it also. Also some people may think it’s bad because it was the first movie to be covered in the first episode of the more recently renewed again mst3k. Yes they brought it back for 2018 sdo to a kick starter campaign they posted it straight to Netflix’s..they may have done another additional season that was put on Netflix in middle of 2019. So there’s been 12 season of mstk3k since the late 1980s I think the ktma season was aired i think in 1988 . it ran innitally until some time in the late 1990s do to I getting picked up by sci-fi channel for additional three extra seasons. Then it went on a hitatus for like twenty years before Netflix brought it back. If it had not been renewed twice mst3k would had ended permanently in the early 1990s instead of the late 90s after an eight season counting the ktma season most of which to fair amount of it was aired on Comedy Central. After the second whole season with Mike our season 7 had ended which was supposed to be the end of its run. our it was supposed to end after mst3k the movie was released which was and episode of then watching this island earth was the name of the movie I think . Mst3k had a weird selection of movies for every legit bad movie they had on like Manos the hands of fate our Santa claws conquers the monster they would have a legit good movie on to make up for it. Like they had black scorpion during ktma and then later on they had episode on Gorgo I think during later doctor forester and tv frank part of the series. Then at one point during the sci-fi channel run they showed the deadly mantis’s and the first sequel to creature from the black lagoon return of the creature which along with tarantula were the first two films to have a much younger at the time Clint Eastwood.

[@ShinGoji1987Official]

@@slagarcrue85 Wow! I had no idea it was on a newer mst3 episode xD

[@cassie6146]

The sad thing is this is probably the closest we'll get to a Manda standalone movie post-Atragon.

[@TitanosaurusFan75]

Cassie, you know that Atragon came out in 1963 right?

[@cassie6146]

@@TitanosaurusFan75 Well, then this is the closest we'll get to a Manda standalone prequel.

[@rickyrackey7930]

He needs a prequel. Where did he come from? Did Mu created him? Has been around sense the dinosaurs?

[@Deephouse_Gent66]

Never thought of it like that! Very good observation!

[@Itta_Pupu]

Oh my, this movie... When I was about 13 or so my parents took my siblings and I to G-Fest in Chicago. I remember being in a hotel room with all the spoils of that day at G-Fest and this movie came on the TV. I absolutely LOVED this movie. It's just one of those movies that got ingrained into my brain. You just unlocked a bunch of memories that I thought I'd forgotten. Thanks for reviewing this.

[@DrawnByDragonfly]

Reptilicus is silly but it really illustrates the great array of monsters all over the place

[@viraltang]

Wait so it's not just Godzilla? Well duh Crow a lot of things will kill ya.

[@SaurianStudios1207]

“Reptilicus Sighted In Shallow water!”

[@MrMattyMan]

I can hear this post. So many line reads of this movie are imbedded in my brain like a tattoo. "Get me transfer out of this damn place." "We'll pick up the pieces, destroy them!"

[@badger-6377]

The shot of the people desperately trying to cross the suspension bridge in film's climax is one of the best and most legitimately tense shots in all of giant monster cinema.

[@kevinmilner2916]

I first saw Reptilcus on the Sci-fi channel in the early 2000's at my grandma's house and it was followed up by Reptilian the Youngary remake.

[@dhaucoin]

I've ad a special place in my heart for this trainwreck. Moreso when clips of the monster flopping about appearing on 'The Monkees'. When I got older, I came up with this synopsis- 'It's a travelog for Denmark & Copenhagen.... with a monster movie in the background.'

[@freakyfreddiefrawley5179]

I believe that Reptilicus also made a cameo drive-in movie appearance on the Beverly Hillbillies.

[@Chill1332]

You know what's sad? This is pretty much the first ever monster movie I ever saw. It was on an ignored tv in someone elses house while my mom was conversing in the other room. I was pretty little at the time and remember being completely fascinated and horrified. Even at that young age I remember being vaguely aware of how fake and cheezy it was. But it did not matter at all. The idea of some giant, unstoppable rampaging creature was the coolest, silliest, and most amazing idea ever! Needless to say in my later years when I was actually allowed to watch such things I discovered much better movies with the same idea. But I look back with great fondness on this movie. I honestly haven't watched it since then. I need to go find it now.

[@RobotPlush]

DO IT

[@josephmatthews9866]

FOOTNOTE : that acid bile originally wasn't in the Danish cut of the movie, but was added in the American cut as was the scene of REPTILIUS swallowing the farmer added in. ( poorly added in at that ) FOOTNOTE 2 : some have wondered why didn't the monster use it's wings ? It did ,but the FX was so bad the shots weren't used in the American print, although the scene of it flying does appear in an episode of the tv show THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. also, the shot of it flying , and then crash landing on a power plant has been posted to some time ago to KZbin. ( where is at , now ?? )

[@andrewparsons2391]

Danish Kid: Mommy, I want a Godzilla! Danish Mom: Honey, we have a Godzilla at home. Danish Godzilla:

[@randybarnett2308]

Reptilicus is more like Manda !

[@bonehead2768]

I didn't get the joke here.......

[@derpygodzilla2438]

This joke is shit

[@connorbrennan4233]

​@@bonehead2768Godzilla is the genuine article while Reptilicus is a sad attempt of a rip-off.

[@demonicsquid]

I'd actually like to see a modern remake of this film just to see if someone else can turn what is essentially a bargain bin movie to a fun popcorn film with life in it

[@DanielDoffen]

As a Dane i must say yes. It could be nice to see, what Danish filmmakers have learned.

[@axecalibore]

It would almost be the only movie that hasn't been remade yet.

[@zachv4516]

I ended up seeing this from the new MST3K...might have been for the best I saw it this way

[@zaphodbeeblebrox7893]

They made it about a thousand times more entertaining

[@Tobascodagama]

Yeah, it was a pretty fun MST3K episode! Not a very good movie, though...

[@BioGoji-zm5ph]

I first saw it on VHS back in the 1990's when I was a kid. I loved it. Then I got older and I still enjoyed it, but I was able to recognize its flaws with greater ease.

[@omniviewer2115]

Well, on the plus side, it spun off a pretty insane comic book series entitled REPTISAURUS (literally "reptile lizard" in Latin), and I believe that's in the public domain, so anyone can use him. Then again, Reptisaurus would later go on to get his own terrible movie, so the cycle only continued.

[@Gappasaurus]

Hey Omni, ever think about covering some of Charlton Comics’ giant monster adaptations? Besides ‘Reptilicusaurus’, i know they did Gorgo and Konga too. Would probably be a hoot! 😄 And i recently tracked down a copy of Reptisaurus on dvd but have been too trepidatious to watch it 😅

[@BioGoji-zm5ph]

The reason Reptilicus is still remembered, at least to me, is that it has one of the most badass posters for a monster movie ever. Of course, as with any monster movie marketed in the 1960's, the awesome poster didn't feature anything actually seen in the film.

[@LektorFejerskov]

Dirch Passer who plays the Janitor was one of the biggest stars in Denmark back in the 60-70s. You couldn't make a movie without him. One of the reasons he is in this was so you could sell it to a danish audience. But the only knew him from comedies, so they receted them. He also starring in two danish westerns (Called potatowestern in Denmark.) from the same period for the same reason.

[@Rinesmyth]

Still saving *Them* for last?

[@derworfnet]

Probably the best thing about this movie is its sheer novelty. A *Danish* Kaiju-Movie? I mean, what the hell? The setting alone gives this movie, despite everything else about it low-quality and cliche as hell, its own distinct feel. Also, I live in Schleswig Holstein, the northernmost German state, so this movie is closer to home than any other Monster-Film, so there is that.

[@killindylan17]

Are you going to review other non American monster movies like Gorgo, Gappa, X from Outer Space, Yongary, and Pulgasari?

[@romangunter621]

Probably, Gorgo came out the same year as Reptilicus.

[@cinamynj]

Id love to see Pulgasari

[@dlee827]

It's on KZbin.

[@CaptainCanuck1975]

Watching Reptilicus on the afternoon movies is what got me into giant monster films as a kid so I owe it a debt of gratitude, but it *is* very very bad. A couple of things: - the "green slime" shots were added to the American cut to make Reptilicus look more dangerous - the military footage was shot for the movie. It's not stock footage - the guy who rode his bike off the drawbridge was a random extra, not a stuntman - Reptilicus has an epic poster, but the artist wasn't able to see the movie beforehand for reference so he had to make something up - "Tivoli Nights" is a great song

[@agnes_whistles]

I'm Danish and grew up watching this film... we had it on VHS and I must have watched it at least 100 times until the tape broke

[@christianmanka3884]

The scream at 0:45 sounds like Mothra’s KOTM screech. Reptilicus is in the monsterverse confirmed lol

[@alphawoolf5981]

I watched Reptilicus on TV back in the 1970s, and I didn't find the special effects all THAT bad. A lot of what we find to be horrible special effects are simply because of the higher resolution and what-not we watch these films now. And it had a good idea I think, with all the regeneration. And oh those Tivoli nights!

[@MrKaiju-sr8wu]

I would honestly love to see a remake of this movie with updated special effects and better writing, I feel like Reptilicus has potential as a monster (might just be because I am a dane myself and would love to have an actually good monster movie here)

[@henrylewis5649]

I've been waiting foe you to review this one. Couldn't remember the title and was hoping you'd get to it one day. And that day is here

[@The_PokeSaurus]

I saw Reptilicus many years ago on a Monster Marathon channel, and I remember liking it. I like how the monster managed to regenerate from just the tip of its tail and how blasting it to pieces would only result in more of them.

[@5150serg]

I still have this VHS.

[@RaikenXion]

Reptilicus a cool Kaiju name if i ever did hear one.

[@chip5541]

I saw this on a Saturday afternoon Creature Feature back in the 70's.

[@Jormyyy]

It always throws me for a loop when watching the intro thinking "oh this movie seems cool can't wait to hear all the good things about it!" just to hear UFTD say the complete opposite lol

[@marduk17]

I still liked the design of the monster, reminds me of some paintings or statues of St George and fighting some weird jaggy dragon.

[@moviemeows4466]

Now you have to review Yongary too!

[@jurassickaiju14]

0:45 Oh wow...you can actually see the end of the fleeing throng of extras way back there.

[@Gappasaurus]

AIP removed the flying scenes & musical number, and added the animated green goop... still not sure that it was an improvement 😅

[@ant2364]

Legendary should unironically put this in the monsterverse

[@Blackferret66]

One of Creature Double Feature's backbone films.

[@Hound831]

That roar creeped me out as a kid.

[@caweakley]

Clips were used in an episode of "The Beverly Hillbillies". It was on tv and called "Swamp Monster".

[@schizoidboy]

I'll admit I like the scenes where the Danish Army is fighting the monster, but I wonder if some people think it looks like reservists practicing on a weekend.

[@schizoidboy]

I remember some scenes from this movie were used in the Monkees episodes. Like when they're visiting England and one character remarks how they found a "mole" in the yard and then they cut back to Reptilicus.

[@koboldengineering7687]

Reptillicus is silly, but it really illustrates the great array of monsters all over the place.

[@Godooable]

"Flaccid filmmaking" Oof, im going to remember that one

[@OMAHA16]

Godooable haha

[@RogueT-Rex8468]

I went ape looking for this flick a few years back. I remember loving it as a kid because dragon monster. Watching it again- I don’t remember. I literally rewatched it and find myself unable to tell anything about it save for maybe four specific scenes, how it was killed, the scenes underwater, and the scene where it went out eating cattle and a farmer. Outside of that it was in every sense forgettable. I’d even forgotten it spewed acid.

[@ChizFri]

as someone with an inkling of a desire to make a giant hero/monster movie set in my hometown at some point in my life, I may watch Reptilicus just to see the extreme end of what not to do.

[@kaiju115]

Can I just say it, Reptilicus needs a comeback

[@h.plovecat4307]

I still say that Reptilicus can be done justice in the Monsterverse. I mean we have Kevin juat laying there all dead.

[@garagefirestudios9802]

Great review! Always love that you can give people a quick and good introduction into these movies. Gonna have to check this one out just to see how bad it is.

[@ИльяМилягин]

It is interesting, what will be your reaction at the Creeping Terror?

[@alanrogers7090]

I do remember seeing this as a kid for my Eleventh birthday. It's just a good thing that I laughed at it, compared to other "monsters", like Godzilla and, my personal favorite, Gorgo. This always, even at 11, startled me as I thought only starfish could fully regenerate.

[@JeffreyDeCristofaro]

Yeah I used to watch this one a lot on VHS as a kid, during my late pre-teens. Apparently they used the stock footage of rampaging crowds - which probably did far more damage than the monster itself - for episodes of THE MONKEES, which only served to further build its cult reputation as a late-night TV staple through re-runs. Really, apart from the use of locations in Copenhagen, only the sound FX of the military, gunfire and explosions was realistic. And for better or worse, it was my introduction to Denmark.

[@jamescampbell39]

Angry Red Planet IMHO is an outstanding science fiction classic.

[@dontafk9809]

I remember seeing this on mystery Theater 3000

[@stovetopism]

I remember the first time I heard of this film was on a vhs that was just about a bunch of movie monsters. Had stuff from Ray Harryhausen specifically the Sinbad films and Jason and the Argonauts, the aforementioned Reptillicus, Godzilla. Don't remember what that vhs was called though

[@henryezell9658]

It might have been called "Fantastic Dinosaurs of the Movies". The vhs copy I got came from Good Times home video.

[@hawaiifiles]

It was entertaining when I was a kid, long long ago. Probably saw it a dozen times on our old black and white TV.

[@Sargebri]

Interestingly this contains a lot of elements from Melchior's abandoned Volcano Monsters script.

[@EmonWBKstudios]

I was hoping you'd review this, this is a fun lil creature feature.

[@rune-ick860]

although somewhat irrelevant I found it very interesting that this Danish kaiju movie chose to use a lindwurm as it's inspiration for the kaiju

[@thrashpondopons2776]

It almost does work as a spoof &/or a love-letter to the Danish Dept. of Travel & Tourism! Caught a couple of moments where folks in the background break the 4th wall! Old man on the roller-coaster at 4:57 looks like he's actually flipping off the cameraman!?!

[@BerserkerCade77]

One of my dad’s favorite creatures, aside from Rodan.

[@Vespuchian]

I first learned about this film's existence thanks to the MST3K episode it featured in. Now _that_ is a cut of the film I can recommend to people!

[@johnwiswell4022]

The MST3K of this movie is a delight.

[@bricknwolf3333]

I imagine that remake could in the CGI age could have some potential

[@wimvanderstraeten6521]

Why has there never been a Giant Claw vs Reptilicus movie? A confrontation between two of the worst movie monsters ever would have been awesome.

[@TheBlackLobo]

That’s actually an excellent idea

[@isaacland249]

Reptilicus actually sound quite cool

[@Ninjaman176]

I wanna say i think Reptilicus was my first non japan's monster movie i watched as a kid

[@MangetsuSAMURAI]

Reptilicus is silly, but he really illustrates the great array of monsters all over the place.

[@Marveryn]

blinks i swear the dr Matsuko said the exact same thing only 3 minute after you. bot much?

[@MangetsuSAMURAI]

@@Marveryn perhaps he's my alternate universe counterpart.

[@bjk3054]

It's hard to find an intact original of this. Most available now cut out the date/ tour (maybe for the best!) and trimmed other scenes as well. Watch the MST3K version and you'll enjoy yourself way, way more!

[@RyanParreno]

I watched this under MST3K season 11 and actually enjoyed the kitschiness of it all

[@WyldstaarStudios]

There was actually a novelization done of Reptilicus, however it bears little resemblance to the movie it's based on. As strange as it may seem, the novel is full of sex. If the characters aren't busy dealing with the monster, they're getting busy with one another.

[@loanaoftheshellpeople5627]

They also did the same thing to Gorgo and Konga. The Novelizations were done by some fly by night Publishers who specialized in lurid material.

[@writingwithcrayons8301]

This movie looks amazing

[@Shazam1414]

When I was a kid, I thought Reptilicus was Manda.

[@viraltang]

"Reptilcus will be back in Reptilcus 2. Too fast too Danish!"

[@Iijjccbb]

“Ah not the green shit”-James Rolfe two thousand something or other

[@iViking90]

I just watched Gorgo, and I liked it. Could you do a review?

[@TimTylor]

To add to the general genre confusion, one of the deleted scenes had the comic-relief janitor trying to turn the thing into a musical... kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5eoemqFodCEfpo

[@west1875]

I love your content!

[@cyruskarloff7219]

I wonder why I like this movie? I like it a lot.

[@toby070]

We're under attack by the EVIL DRAGON PUPPET! Quick! Get the scissors!

[@Hydrazilla98]

I absolutely love this movie. It's in my top 3 best kaiju movies and it has my favorite monster in existence. The Danish version is slightly better, but I miss the green slime from the US version.

[@discomon]

Dirch Passer (the guy getting electrocuted) was a very popular comedian in Denmark:) According to danish wikipedia the danish actors actually spoke english in the american version of the film:)

[@scado5679]

Now, I know that I'm usually the guy who's always trying to find the bright side of the kaiju design. I'll usually always find something to like, whether that be in the overwhelming ugliness of The Giant Claw or the natural physique of the Behemoth. But Reptilicus.....no. I can't bring myself to find anything even remotely exceptional about it. The most unique thing about it are its weird wing things, which take away more from the design than they give. Overall, Reptilicus and its movie are just awful, and could probably be seen in shallow water if this movie could ever pull any sort of convincing water effect off. Also, glad to see you finally review this movie after weeks and weeks of teasing it on stream ;)

[@northropi2027]

The overall design, as someone else pointed out, is pretty true to a lot of western European dragon depictions, the wings in particular being a dead giveaway, and I think that's a nice idea. The thing is, they sort of... It's like they kept the stylized proportions and detailing when going 3D, in addition to the puppet being extremely floppy.

[@michaelmetler6315]

Great video brother, Could you please review Death Coppa It's silly fun. Keep up the great work.

[@zachreviews7867]

Is it worse than raids again, gamera: super monster or varan?

[@LLcoolDel]

Saw the movie when it first came out. I was a little kid. It spit out the green stuff which covered the entire screen. Never really saw anything like it.

[@fatangrygeek5746]

I found the original Danish version, I reccomdnd that one. And I even found English subtitles as well, although I haven't watched the movie all the way through. Once I find it I will see it.

[@TheDoorman55]

Yeah. When I was a kid and this was shown on Saturday morning's Sunrise Theater, my friends and I didn't really talk about it.

[@dennissmith5807]

Love Reptillicus.

[@jacobdodd9065]

It's too bad the Danish cut is unavailable here in the states.

[@jasonwilliams7902]

Awesome old school sci fi Creature Double Feature

[@dhaucoin]

You from Boston, or was it Philly?

[@jasonwilliams7902]

Boston,,how did you know?

[@dhaucoin]

@@jasonwilliams7902 Funny answer- 'Lucky guess, haha!' True answer- only two markets had 'Creature Double Feature': WLVI in Boston, and a station in Philadelphia. As you may guess, I grew up in West Newton, glued to WLVI from 1-4pm, getting my weekly fix. The title music was just amazing- 'Tocatta,' by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, from their Brain Salad Surgery album. Hunt up the opening credits here KZbin for a blast from the past.

[@jasonwilliams7902]

@@dhaucoin that's Awesome As a kid 12pm the streets would be clear and every kid would be glued to Creature double Feature I saw Sooo many great sci fi and Faint monster movies What about War of the Gargantuas,, Sooo Good

[@dhaucoin]

@@jasonwilliams7902 I've the Toho Remaster DVD of the Gargantua movie, as it happens, a twin-bill with Rodan. Man, that airstrip scene, when the bad Gargantua spits out the woman's dress..... Still gives me shivers

[@metalmadsen]

The World needs a sequel!

[@MaddieGwen]

Oh boy here we go

[@angrycobra523]

Why do I love these videos

[@mikesantillanmx5530]

I love Reptilicus' design. The puppet looks very clunky in movement, but the creature itself looks pretty cool, it's like a dragon or sea serpent out from fairy tales or medieval drawings.

[@joshuahughes5468]

There's a good reason why Denmark hasn't made another giant monster movie since this film's release.

[@shonjones7231]

Angry red planet is pretty ok

[@RiainRamblez]

The best way to watch Reptilicus is via MST3K

[@matthewellis2585]

I watched this one when I was very young. Finally seeking it out again as a giant monster movie buff as well as a fan of ridiculously bad cinema....on this last point it does not disappoint! My 12 year old son watched it with me the last viewing and I almost wondered if it could have been misconstrued as some sort of child abuse! 🤣

[@marinthecreator]

The only reason I know this is from MST3K

[@dontafk9809]

Me to... Lol

[@josephhoobler5749]

I remember seeing this as a kid and thinking it was manda for whatever reason.

[@freaknr1]

It is amusing to see Copenhagen get demolished by a dragon, and the danes did at least get a giant monster movie before us norwegians. XD Speaking of, could you review The Troll Hunter? It's not quite a giant monster movie, but it's the closest we have, and it's pretty damn good. 🙂