Customer Reviews

Moon of the Wolf [VHS]

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Based on a novel by Leslie Whitten, this made-for-TV thriller blends a murder-mystery with an old-fashioned werewolf story. David Janssen is the southern sheriff with a string of bloody murders on his hands. An incoherent, bed-ridden old man down on the bayou babbles in a Cajun dialect of something that sounds like "luke-a-ruke." As the victims pile up, the sheriff finally learns that the old man is saying "Werewolf!" (loup garou). This movie is a mixed blessing. Most of the script devotes itself to fathoming the mystery, and red herrings abound. Time is also spent on the subplot of a mild flirtation between Janssen and Barbara Rush. She is of the local gentry, and her brother disapproves of Janssen's attentiveness. About 59 minutes into the 73-minute film, the movie shifts gears and the horror elements finally kick in. The local Larry Talbot suffers a peculiar genetic malady that usually can be controlled by drugs. Things get serious one night when the moon is full, and a young girl is brutally murdered. The fright makeup looks as if it came from a shopping mall Halloween shop. Where is Jack Pierce when you need him? Nevertheless, there is some suspense. As the werewolf pounds on the door, Rush barricades herself into the spooky antebellum mansion. There are no silver bullets to report, but there is a handy pistol with sanctified cartridges that have been blessed. Great foresight on someone's part. The '70s cars and clothes add to the modest budget look of the movie. Die-hard fans of horror thrillers should be pleased. Others beware. ;-)

Based on the novel of the same name by author Les Whitten, MOON OF THE WOLF is a surprisingly well-crafted made-for-TV thirller from the 70s. Now available in a number of video versions, this is a little-known but quite serviceable production of some merit. Set in the isolated Louisiana marshland, the story revolves around the local Sheriff's efforts to uncover the truth behind a young girl's mysterious and grisly death. Was she killed by wild dogs, or by an ex-lover's revenge? Acting is very good all-around, with David Janssen well-cast as the no-nonsense but likeable sheriff and Barbara Rush as the Southern Belle with a few secrets of her own. The script is good, and the suspense methodically rises as the story progresses. The only real weakness, as is often the case with low-budget horror films, is the monster make-up. The eponymous werewolf doesn't look anything like the creature in the DVD art, but at least the director has the sense to keep the monster in the shadows most of the time so that the viewer's imagination can take up the slack. The climax is something of a surprise, even if you've read the novel, as the hero in the end isn't exactly who you think it's going to be. Splatterpunks won't find what they're looking for here, but those who can enjoy a good mystery or a decent little scary movie should be satisfied. Much better than its rather unfortunate reputation, MOON OF THE WOLF is worth a look.

Mixed emotions -- fine actors doing fine acting in a surprisingly well-done movie I usualy wouldn't hold still for. Janssen at his classic best a competent sheriff, decent man. Barbara Rush charming as self-confessed heiress raised to do nothing. Well worth watching.

moon of the wolf came at a time when t.v. horror films were common and generally good.Because t.v.limited the amount of explicit gore,they had to develop character and atmosphere.
Moon of the wolf delivers on both counts and therefore becomes a tight,scary chiller.The climax being genuinely frightening.
The film also benefits from being filmed on location in louisiana and soaks up the creole/cajun feel with a good dose of southern decay.
the acting is first rate and the direction stays on target.

If your looking for a good horror film,look no further.

I'm a sucker for made-for-Tv movies of the 70's like this one. What I hope is helpful to any potential buyer and what I wish reviewers of other releases would comment on more often is the video/audio quality of a specific studio release. The Bci/Eclipse version of "The Moon Of The Wolf" is quite good.

Yeap,found another of the movies I loved as a kid. Well in truth I've had this one for years(and many times over, I have it in at least four different mega movie packs),bit this is the best copy I have of this corny but effective "Werewolf" chiller from the 70's.
David Janssen(the Original "Fugitive" and a long time favorite of mine) leads the cast as a southern sheriff looking into a rash of killings in his town. There is a level of carnage about the killings that points more toward an animal than a man.
Nothing great here to be sure,but it does have a very sinister feel about the investigation as the leads start pointing to something supernatural, and the attacks step up.
As for the cheese factor, sure it's a 70's T.V. movie, it's going to look fake. If you don't want to pay this much buy one of those mega movie packs and get 49 other movies for about $20.00.

I originally owned a two-pack VHS of both Moon of the Wolf & Scream of the Wolf, and I recently got both of them on DVD. Moon of the Wolf is a great film to pass the time with, even if the monster looks very similar to Lon Chaney in the "Wolfman". I recomend this movie to anyone who is a fan of early horror movies like myself.

Beginning with the murder of a young girl, a small cajun town in the Lousiana bayou runs rampant with accusations and suspicions! is there a vicious pack of killer dogs on the prowl? or, does the wealthy family outside of town have a terrible, oge-old secret? VERY GOOD STORY! WORTH YOUR $$$

I remembered this one as being a great little werewolf story and I hven't changed my opinion. This was a made for tv title and unfortunatly some of that shows in the makeup created for the werewolf,byt never mind, it's as much a murder mystery as it is a horror film and the cast makes the most of the script

A ABC movie of the week from 1972 with David Janssen, Barbara Rush, Bradford Dillman,Geoffrey Lewis and Royal Dano it's about a werewolf stalking the bayous. Based on t he novel of the same title by Leslie H. Whitten (author of the inspriration for Jeff Rice's KOLCHAK PAPERS, PROGENY OF THE ADDER). A pretty decent production with fine acting by a very capable cast. Have to be honest. This is a bad dvd transfer. It looks like it was a copy of a copy.