Customer Reviews

Wolfen [VHS]

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Every once in a while there comes to the horror genre a film that is something more, which leaves the viewer unnexpectedly pondering. Hitchcock was a master at this, and, more recently we have had 'Seven,' and 'Silence of the Lambs.' Coming in the 1980's, when the werewolf film was largely beinng redefined ('The Howling,' and 'An American Werewolf in London') 'Wolfen' truly set itself apart.

Of course, the fact that it is not exactly a werewolf film has a bit to do with that. Set in a New York City that seems almost post devastation, with scene after scene in the worst possible slums it is a revelation of people in woeful straits, and a study of the predators (human and otherwise) that live among them. The film also flirts with Native American reality and myths and the nature of the pressures of urbanization.P>The bleak scene making, the totally believable performances by all the actors and the adept use of just enough violence and special effects combine to provide a compelling experience for the watcher. Michael Wadleigh (who also directed 'Woodstock') displays a sense of timing that uses each discovery to catapult the tension to new levels. This is not a film that permits clinical distance, but which strives to create a tumult of ideas that crystallize into a grand finale.

'Wolfen' is a horror film that begs the question of what really is the true horror, the monster or the man. My only regret is that this disc is pure film with no effort to provide any of the traditional extra features. I was hoping for at least an interview or two, or even a short on the filmmaking, but none of that is provided. Even so, I recommend this as a special treat for all horror buffs.

1981 was "The Great Werewolf Year," when three major films heralded a revival of the legendary monster. "The Howling" and "An American Werewolf in London" have both become classics, while the third, "Wolfen," remains an oddity. It is definitely the strangest of the three and makes unusual changes to the werewolf mythology to the point that it might not be about werewolves at all. The usual standards of the genre -- silver bullets, wolfsbane, transformations, curses -- are nowhere to be seen, although there are hints of spiritual powers and cunning intelligence beyond the natural world. And while "American Werewolf in London" and "The Howling" contained extensive comedy and many genre-references along with their horror, "Wolfen" plays its story straight and dead serious. It has social issues mixed into its thrills 'n' chills premise: a police detective (Albert Finney) investigating murders in New York City that point toward a wolf-like killer, or possibly a whole pack of them. Director Michael Wadleigh (his only other film is the classic concert documentary "Woodstock") uses the horror movie backdrop as a venue for commentary on class, environmentalism, industrialization, and Native American politics.

This is an ambitious bill to fill, and "Wolfen" doesn't quite manage to pull it off. You can appreciate Wadleigh's goals, but he often trips over trying to do too much. The political grandstanding makes for a thoughtful horror movie, but it also slows the film down and overbalances it. Sometimes, you just want action and scares, and "Wolfen" frequently drags. It would have rocked at ninety-minutes, but at nearly two hours, it goes on for too long. The open moves rapidly, and the ending delivers the right amount of apocalyptic violence you expect, but in the center the spaces between the wolf attacks start feeling longer and longer.

Some of various elements never fit together, and a few plot points just left on the ground. The mystery surrounding the creatures is, however, appropriate -- sometimes it's better for a horror film to avoid spelling out everything for you.

Where "Wolfen" works best is in Wadleigh's superb visual style and the realistic performances. The use of a polarization effect and a steadicam to represent the wolves' POV is quite stunning and eerie. Wadleigh also expertly films New York City and its run-down slums. The film absolutely breathes with a battered, decayed atmosphere. Wadleigh really goes all out with unusual visua; approaches, and it gives the film a polished and inventive feel. Albert Finney and Diane Venora are both good in their roles; Finney especially projects a wonderful world-weariness that matches the setting around him. The film thankfully doesn't load him down with excess psychological baggage. We don't need to have his troubles explained to us; we can SEE them in the world in which he lives. Edward James Olmos is also memorable as a Native American who draws Finney's suspicions early in the movie. Gregory Hines, however, is too exaggerated in his semi-comic role (the only comedy in the film) of the coroner working with Finney. The movie also has an excellent early score from James Horner (composer of "Titanic" and "Aliens").

The DVD has an extremely good transfer, which is surprising considering the film's age. The print looks almost pristine and is gorgeously formatted in widescreen. Warner Bros. usually doesn't put this much effort into back catalog movies like this. The Dolby Surround Stereo is adequate (I occasionally noticed some synch problems) and a bit low in volume. The extras are skimpy: the trailer, a page listing the cast and crew, and a few screens of text on the history of werewolf movies. (An earlier edition advertised audio commentary on the back of the snap case, but this was a misprint.)

"Wolfen" is worth a look for horror fans, or people who want some social commentary and intelligence with their thrills. If you can make it through the slower sections, you'll find it a rewarding viewing experience.

Whitley Striebers book "Wolfen" explains alot more than this movie ever could. I still feel this movie was done very well. I was dissapointed that this dvd only has a trailer and no other special features. Wolfen was filmed beautifully in New York, Bklyn, Bronx, Staten Island. Wolfen really caught New York during 1980-1981,the big apple was some what different then. This film eerily catches the Bronx in a cold septic view. Wolfen made you very aware of the sociol class, poverty and drug problems of America during the early 1980s. The soundtrack by James Horner is simply awesome. In my opinion Wolfen was the best of the wolf movies of the early 1980s. They dont make movies like this anymore. This was Michael Wadleighs last film but really a well directed film with some interesting actors and charachters. Wolfen does have some political views as well as regarding mans technology against natures, and the treatment of the American Indian and thier connection to the wolf. Albert Finney plays an excellent NYPD detective. The late Gregory Hines an excellent pathologist. Veteran actor Dick O'neil plays a believable NYPD Captain. Diana Venora whatever became of Diane, but her charachter was really interesting to. This film also supplies some great landscape shots as well. People will have different views of Wolfen,but in all very entertaining. Take out of "Wolfen" what you will. "Wolfen knows all, there could be no lying". Michael Wadliegh and his crew do an awesome job with a steadicam and a louma crane capturing the predators prospective. A very well crafted film with some ambiguity.......

Having read the book by Whitley Streiber, it's clear that the director of the movie took creative license. (There was no Indian and the Wolfen were not wolves, but werewolves). However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that both versions of the story worked well; with the movie having an interesting moralistic subplot. Although I enjoyed other werewolf movies ("American Werewolf in London" and the 1st "Howling"), "Wolfen" was refreshingly subtle in its depiction of the beast, giving only their perspective by using a "wolf cam." Thus, "Wolfen" is a good choice for those who enjoy intelligent thrillers as opposed to blood-splattering slice and dice horror films.

I'm actually very ambivilant towards this film--meaning I both love it and hate it at the same time. First of all, one of the main reasons I don't like this film is that it was more gory than it needed to be and the disturbing hospital scene was really not necessary for the film to be effective. Second, I thought it just ran on way too long, and about three quarters of the film, I really started to get antsy and wished the plot would speed up just a tad. However, one of the main reasons I liked this film was the highly effective suspense when the wolves' presence was near. This is especially noticed during the scene when both Albert Finney and his female detective partner are inside the old, run-down Gothic church and they kept hearing the sounds of the spirit wolves that had the eerie sound of babies crying in the night. This I felt was HIGHLY effective and the music that was played added to the suspense very well. Also, I thought it was interesting to see a movie that, to me, resembled a cross between "Interview With The Vampire" and "Dances With Wolves" with the elements of the old Gothic church, the ravishing blood and fangs, the Native Americans, and the environmental message--over 10 years before "Interview" and "Dances" would themselves make it to the silver screen. So, while I did enjoy some elements of the film, there were a number of elements that I felt they could have improved on. Despite all this, though, the film IS worth a viewing.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Although the film is totally different from the book (which I have also read), it is still a damn good film. Albert Finney is brilliant as the burnt out Detective trying to solve several gruesome deaths in the heart of the New York slums. The camera work is fantastic, almost as scary as the film itself, and the fleeting glimpse of the elusive Wolfen are tantalizingly few until near the end of the film. I almost jumped out of my skin on several occasions and Gregory Hines (the Coroner) describing how heads when decapitated suddenly might just be aware that they are dead freaked me out completely. Watch the end scene when Finney finally confronts the Wolfen and you will know what I mean! Watch this film and enjoy, it's a cracker and well worth the Goosebumps!

Wolfen is a rare werewolf movie that isn't all Hollywood hokum. This absorbing and suspenseful movie makes a strong social commentary about how much we know and asks the question which race is truly superior.

If you're looking for the traditional werewolf movie, Wolfen is not it. If you're looking for a well made suspense drama with great special effects, Wolfen is a 4 Star movie to see.

Wolfen is a beautifully transferred DVD that has great picture quality - the only problem is that Wolfen has a deleted scene in the bar with singer Tom Waits.

Are studios so in a rush to make a buck that they are deleting scenes, leaving out sub-titles and essential dubbing? What's the point in owning a good looking disc with missing movie parts? A shocker from Warner and a red flag to the other major studios who think that DVD collectors don't notice such omissions.

For an early 80's horror film this is not bad, not bad at all. sure the special effects are a bit pathetic and the dialogue is a tad cliché, but the film does induce a level of fear and paranoia found in any good horror film. Released in 1981 in the middle of the early 80s horror boom, Wolfen was released in the same year as the other two big werewolf pictures An American Werewolf In London and The Howling, and was regarded as the weakest film in the werewolf genre but that isn't really accurate or fair. For a start it's not about werewolves, the wolfen of the title are something else entirely and while John Landis and Joe Dante both took a more light hearted approach, Wolfen is an ambitious and more serious film. Wolfen was also directed by Michael Wadleigh who made the acclaimed concert documentary Woodstock, it seems to be about monsters as nature's payback for man's environmental irresponsibility so it has a strong environmental message. It also touches on the mistreatment of American Indians.

Wolfen opens in a derelict section of the South Bronx where a billionaire head of a big corporation is taking part in a ground-breaking ceremony for an urban renewal project. The billionaire grins for the cameras and the press, and all the while some other eyes with cool heat-vision effects are watching him too. That night the billionaire, his coke-sniffing wife and their bodyguard stop around a Park when they're slaughtered by an unseen attacker. The next morning the police chief calls in retired detective Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) to investigate. Suspecting terrorism, Dewey first teams up with terrorism expert Rebecca Neff (Diane Venora); but the case soon takes a different turn when coroner's assistant Whittington (Gregory Hines) figures out that the wounds don't look like they were caused by anything human.

A fascinating and atmospheric tale, effectively set in the dark alleys of New York, its only major flaw is it's length. It's only in the last half hour that we discover the true nature and purpose of the wolfen and this being a 114 minute film, the build-up feels dragged out. Also the film-makers serious intentions don't always work with the obligatory monster attacks, but there were some nice gore scenes including a few decapitations. It also helps that the director is not saddled with the silly-looking rubber monsters of other similar film. Wadleigh's wolves are mostly real animals, well trained and effectively directed. Although Wolfen's not very well-known, having been a box office flop in the summer of 1981, it appears to have influenced other films. The shots from the wolves' perspectives have a very similar look to the alien's viewpoint in 1987's Predator, using bright primal colours and heightened sounds to suggest the creatures more advanced senses. And James Horner's music sounds similar his famous score for Aliens which he wrote five years later especially in the suspense sequences. This was definitely an interesting and very good film worth seeing if you enjoy thoughtful horror movies and don't mind a bit of gore. There are no extras to speak of but the widescreen picture is impressive. Sadly the package is let down a little by a weak, slightly out of sync soundtrack.

I like most horror movies I see. Ussually cause they are entertaining because of terrible acting, horrible special effects and make up, and a bad plot. As I picked up "Wolfen" that's what I expected. But right after the first victims, I said to myself "What an amazing scene". And that is what I was aying throughout the film. I also loved the fact that it kepted true to Native American legends, and This is one my top ten movie list, which the film has to be spectacular or fun.

Wolfen is not a werewolf movie, don't go into this film expecting or wanting that, go into this film with an open mind.

At the beginning of the film a real estate tycoon is killed, his wife, and there driver by something unknown. A New York City Detective Dewey Wilson is put on the case who is played by Albert Finney. Dewey has had personal problems, he eats donuts after running and he delivers quick one liners like a detective in an old film noir. Gregory Hines assists Finney's character as a coroner who is funny and witty, he is the kind of guy we don't want to die in a horror film.

The higher ups want answers to the wealthy important man's death and do everything they can to blame it on terrorism. Wow, hard to believe this was made in 1981 and not today. The real estate tycoon was breaking ground on a new project and was planning on demolishing an entire area of slums, but these slums are a primal hunting ground for something. The film asks us, who are the real savages? Again ringing more true today and how we are destroying the earth and sucking everything we can out of it, but in Wolfen there are consequences, could it be gods we are to answer too?

The atmosphere is also notable you can feel it, from cold breathe showing, the feeling of autumn, the shots of New York, the wind ominously blowing in the night, thunder as something lurks outside our window, all good stuff.

Again, go into this with an open mind and not expecting a Werewolf movie, and you'll experience a lot more, a horror film with a heart and a message and horror fans you may get some blood and heads rolling about.