This review is of the FilmRise release which we streamed free via Amazon Prime.
As of November 3, 2018, there are 641 reviews on Amazon. Only 62 are one and two stars and, as usual, many of those are complaints about dvd and blu-ray quality. Of those who didn't like the movie, some seem to have tried watching while partying and others seem to not grasp the concept of suspenseful build up. I think that some of those reviewers, apparently raised on bloody chainsaw massacres and in your face CGI special effects, would pan Alfred Hitchcock as too slow and boring. Unlike many modern horror movies which are all CGI and special effects with little suspense or plot, this British/American/ Luxembourg production, is nearly all suspense/horror with many fleeting glimpses of the beasties building up to the reveal. Compared to other similarly budgeted movies it is a masterpiece. As entertainment it is far superior to the CGI and make up ladened, but virtually suspenseless, big budget, 2010 WOLFMAN.
An interesting aspect of the film is that it pays homage to author H. G. Wells, known for his sci-fi such as THE TIME MACHINE, and movies, The Evil Dead, Zulu, Aliens, The Matrix and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Overall, critics and audiences have responded favorably to the movie. In 2002, it won the Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film's top award, and the audience prize.
Some of the complaints about blu-rays in particular seem to have merit. The earlier release by First Look has been widely criticized prompting Shout Factory to release a collector's edition blu-ray. However I have read complaints that in this release, the movie looses its dark atmospheric look. There seem to be fewer complaints about DVD's and Amazon streaming.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2017
Scanned from a 35mm cinema print and transferred to bluray. The original negatives have been lost, so all they had was a couple of very good condition theatrical prints to work with. I actually like the dirty grainy "grindhouse" look that it gives the film. Definitely not a slick shiny presentation. Cinephiles beware: read some reviews online from people more qualified than me regarding picture and sound quality.
Very cool special features. A couple making of documentaries. The 7 minute short film Combat by director Neil Marshall is also included, which I found to be a very cool and fun.
The film Dog Soldiers itself is pretty awesome. A group of British soldiers on a training mission in the Scottish Highlands find themselves in a terrifying battle against werewolves. I won't spoil anything else.
I will say there are really cool practical effects and lots of gore! No CGI junk here. Fans of old school horror will love this, especially those who read Fangoria back in the day. Cream-worthy!
Strong recommend for Dog Soldiers.
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Dog Soldiers bluray by Scream Factory
By KennyVengeance on July 3, 2017
A quality release from Scream Factory, an imprint of Shout Factory.By KennyVengeance on July 3, 2017
Scanned from a 35mm cinema print and transferred to bluray. The original negatives have been lost, so all they had was a couple of very good condition theatrical prints to work with. I actually like the dirty grainy "grindhouse" look that it gives the film. Definitely not a slick shiny presentation. Cinephiles beware: read some reviews online from people more qualified than me regarding picture and sound quality.
Very cool special features. A couple making of documentaries. The 7 minute short film Combat by director Neil Marshall is also included, which I found to be a very cool and fun.
The film Dog Soldiers itself is pretty awesome. A group of British soldiers on a training mission in the Scottish Highlands find themselves in a terrifying battle against werewolves. I won't spoil anything else.
I will say there are really cool practical effects and lots of gore! No CGI junk here. Fans of old school horror will love this, especially those who read Fangoria back in the day. Cream-worthy!
Strong recommend for Dog Soldiers.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2016
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Top reviews from other countries
Mark
Finally on Blu Ray in the UK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2019Verified Purchase
Finally on Blu Ray in the UK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2019
Well im stunned at how amazing this new 4K transfer looks. Taken from the original 16mm camera negative that was lost at the time of the previous Scream Factory release.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2019
The standard Blu Ray in this version is the same as the 4K Master and it is immaculate ( or as good as it can be for 16mm film) It truly is the best and most stunning transfer that will probably ever be released. Audio has also got a new 5.1 DTS HD soundtrack and is really loud! Audio has English and German easily switched in the Blu Ray menu.
I own the original UK dvd, first Blu Ray, SF Blu Ray and they simply having nothing on this new transfer. Trust me this is worth dipping in and buying again! It has all the previous extras on the SF release and a brand new bonus disc. Thank you Koch Media this is a stunning release.
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Matt
This Spanish import does work on UK bluray players.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2020Verified Purchase
Kato
German Edition, best version of the movie on Blu-Ray!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2019Verified Purchase
German Edition, best version of the movie on Blu-Ray!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2019
Best version of the movie on Blu-Ray!Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 26, 2019
This edition is leaps and bounds over the scream Factory blu ray edition from the US.
The transfer used on the US edition was not great dark and grainy, unlike the German edition very crisp image compared to the US counterpart.
Eventho the price of the German edition is quite expensive for at the time around £27/28 UK pounds, other online auction sites this is price alot more around the £40/£50+ mark for this.
If your a fan of the movie and wanna see it the best it can be, this is the version to go for.
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Steven Pawinski
Problematic blu-ray release
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2018Verified Purchase
Kittycatz
great transfer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2019Verified Purchase
