Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-15 10:40:52

Nice thriller.

What makes "Wolfen" work, is the same thing that made the first "Jaws" movie work. We don't get beat over the head by seeing the `monster' from the opening credits. We only see fleeting images. Wolfen is unique in that we see most of the film through the eyes of the wolves. There is some great camera work in this film, and the tension builds nicely. Another plus is that the film didn't cop out in the end. The resolution was very satisfying. Between 1 and 10, "Wolfen" gets a solid 7. I wonder if Whitley Streiber wrote this book before or after the aliens abducted him?

2013-05-15 04:55:38

WHAT A JOKE!

This review is from: Wolfen (DVD) I ordered a NEW copy of this movie and received an old copy. The box still had the original tape on it and these people just wrapped an old SCRATCHED disc up and tried to pass it off as new. I did get a refund but it still does not excuse the stunt that they pulled! WILL NEVER ORDER FROM THESE RIP-OFF artists again.

lastliberal 2013-05-05 08:31:59

They might be gods!

Now, the premise of this story is pretty far fetched, but it's horrorstory after all. Expecting some wolf-man story, you are surprised atwhat the predator really is. And, the fact that they are providing somesocietal benefit by clearing the street of the homeless is reallygetting out there.They would have gone unnoticed had they not killed some high mucky muckand his wife. Albert Finney brilliantly plays Dewey, a detectivedragged out of a semi-retirement to solve these hot murders. He isteamed with a delightful Diane Venora (The Jackal, True Crime) to dowhat no one else can.Gregory Hines ably assists in the hunt with his lab expertise andconsummate acting skills. It is a mystery that makes no sense untilEdward James Olmos, as a Native American, gives the supernaturalexplanation.Forget all that and concentrate on the great performances, especiallyFinney's.

siderite 2013-05-04 23:17:31

Pretty smart and effective thriller

This movie was recommended to me as one of the few good "wolf" filmsand I have to agree with the guy that it is a pretty smart movie. Now,it isn't perfect and I am sure that none of the people involved in itthought it was a masterpiece, but some bits of the film are puregenius.For example the first murder scene. It is a killing done through theeyes of the predators. They move silently and stealthily, they use theterrain and work as a pack. When one of them is seen by the guy with agun, it is on purpose, so that another can tear the armed hand fromhim. It is not terror by special effects, but by the realization thatif you are hunted like this, you have no chance of escape, no matterhow armed or smart you are.The film goes on like this, alternating the weird 80s scenes with thesmart filming and scripting. When all is said and done, most of thepeople in the film were extremely good actors and the direction wasspot on.Bottom line: not a standard horror movie in any way. Actually, itbarely has elements of horror, but it is a good thriller. It is NOTabout werewolves. The "monsters" are not shown till the end, where theyare not as monstrous as one might have thought. The end was prettylame, but it tried to make some sort of ecological point; it was missedcompletely. I guess this film could be done in a sort of modern manner,but the premise would have to be altered a bit. The spirit of the movie(pun intended), though, should remain the same. Oh, and the youngIndian guy is admiral Adama; I didn't recognize him.

2013-05-01 17:09:14

WOLFEN!!!

First of all I'm going to say that I HATE WEREWOLF MOVIES!!! This was on HBO, so I thought I'd just watch it to make fun of it, but for some reason I didn't I actually got into it and it actually scared me. I was amazed that it actually scared me, and it messed me up for a day or two. The Howling was okay, but it was funnier than scary, and An American Werewolf in London was a big fat joke. This and the Howling are the only werewolf movies I like, but the the other one I've seen, I've hated, but you should see this one. This is authentically scary.

rhaslett-2 2013-05-01 04:15:33

Wolfen

Have first viewed in early 80's on HBO and continue to be a fan. Haveseen Hines in person about 1992, he is great. This was a breakout rolefor him, and Finney plays a good role except for the accent. Kind of donot like the ending but love the beginning and most of the film. Theeffects are great and though the Howling came out about the same timethis one has a storyline beyond the special effects noted in the 80'sas being judged by their gore factor rather than realism. Best part ofthe script would be Finney's comments attributed to being a cop like"Maybe they just didn't recognize him" speaking of the Wolf reallybeing Olmo's character. Loved the setting and the possibility that sucha bizarre set of circumstances could allow wild animals to co-habitatin the slums of an aging city. While I am an old movie buff, I hesitateto recommend especially with all the trash coming out of Hollywood withassembly-line starlets. I like this one for the story and Finney, Olmosand Hines' lines. thanks for the opportunity to comment.

Suzanne 2013-04-26 01:36:47

Wolfen

I have seen this movie several times and still watch it often. It makesme think about society, what we've lost (and destroyed) in theindustrial age, and makes me wonder about what is really out there. Italso shows the value of other cultures and what wisdom they can offer.The animals are beautiful and breath-taking. The human characters arebelievable and at times, amusing. There also scenes in which you learna lot about wolves, history, and Native American culture. Granted, someof the depicted cultural beliefs may be fictional. Still, it makes agood mix. This movie stands as one of the great horror classics on mylist.

2013-04-25 11:41:38

3.5 stars, but good movie...

Good movie. Great camerawork. Werewolf legends accurate (rare for werewolf movies, I'm sure). The only part I couldn't stand was that it became a substandard Indian-burialground let's-not-build-apartment-complexes-on-sacred-land movie at the end. Not enough gore, either, but there is lots of atmosphere in the movie, and that kind of evens it out. If only all horror movies were this way...

Oblivion 2013-04-03 23:16:48

Very Original Werewolf story

For it's day 1981, this movie far exceeds anything before and in some cases since then. The direction of the visuals I felt could have shown the wolves' eyes and body more often but hard to complain other than this.The originality of reaching into history and the relationship between American indian, wolf, and man was just phenomenal. Reminded me of the rewarding risk they took with Altered States.A movie like this is supposed to be suspenseful, thrilling and tell a clear and original story. It delivers on all counts.

2013-04-03 13:25:27

There are more dangerous things in the cities than drugs and criminals, "There is no Defense"!

This review is from: Wolfen (DVD) I did create a music video for this brilliant movie that can be witnessed on youtube... it is called "Wolfen Music Video Using a Song by Sarcofago"!Plot: Wolves, Werewolves, or Wolfen... you decide, but in the streets of Manhattan, in a crumbled old church lives a terror that only the Indians understand! But when a human named Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) enters the circle after a horrific triple murder he soon realizes that the killers are indeed wolves, and not just any wolves... but shape shifting wolves!Review: I have only read halfway through the book and I must say that while I read (along with the theme music playing on my I Pod in the background) the novel I felt as if I was there and being hunted by these creatures that have human-like qualities! The movie (which I saw when I was 8 and I still watch it 10 years after) gives off a dark atmosphere that nearly shatters the mind and forces you to watch and think of what is to happen next! The movie is not as good as the book and I can tell even though as I said before I have only read halfway through... the book is amazing told and I wish the movie was more known and the only way I found out about it was from my grandfather! I was overly surprised when I heard this film grossed a little over $10 million! The film also offers a lot of bloody deaths, superb jumpy and suspenseful moments, and a cool and original plot.... I do however despise most of the ending. I felt very let down that they were just regular wolves but I think it somewhat made up for it after the wolves disappeared in thin air (which I still don't quite understand why they do... it makes me wonder if they were shape shifter's or spirits) because the last minute is very breath taking with Albert Finney's speech and with the final shot of the church... it was all beautifully done! The film is worthy of a cult following in my opinion!Acting: Whoa, this acting was brilliantly done, I don't think I could've asked for a better lead role and they give off these kinds of feelings that all can't be described!Gore: bloody ripped throats, a throat ripped out so much that the head falls off, a severed hand, a disturbing morgue scene, a nasty disembowelment and more!Bottom Line: Out of the three werewolf/wolf movies that came out in 1981 this is my far the second best... in my opinion this kicks "The Howling"(s) ass but it is no comparison to "An American Werewolf in London"!Suggested MPAA: Rated: R for disturbing sequences of bloody violence, grisly images,language, some graphic nudity, sexual content, and drug materialIs it worth the Buy on a scale of 1-10: 7For the Movie itself on a scale of 1-5: 4 (I would give it a four and a half but sadly the site wont let me rate it that way)

2013-03-30 04:13:55

Gothic Horror book turns into Horrendous Film

I gave this one star because that's as low as this site goes. I was so absolutely taken with Whitley Streiber's novel that I could hardly wait for the film to come out. Talk about disappointment - I could hardly sit through the appalling drivel unfolding on the screen.I'm not a violent person but if I'd had the director/ screenplay writer within reach I believe I'd have killed them stone dead. Admittedly, the title is the same and there are wolves involved but there the resemblance to the book ends. I hope Whitley Streiber was well paid for the butchering of his fine book and that he gives to a lot of charities. Michael Wadleigh apparently directed this movie and unsurprisingly he never directed a movie again other than a couple of documentaries about Woodstock. He now works as a bus driver in Akron, Ohio. If his bus driving is the same as his directing and screenplay then I'll go by cab.Dave W

2013-03-29 13:39:38

Terrible book 2 movie!

i wish i could say i enjoyed this movie but if you read the book this movie is insulting to the original plot! Ok we know that movies have to divert from the novel but this was unreal. The novel based these creatures as been highly evolved and down right errie looking canines that appeared half ape half wolf ( the best way i can describe them ). So i sit down excited to see that one of my fav all time books is a movie and i find out they minaly used german shepards !!!! Please people and the story had been terribly distorted till hardly any of it's atmosphere and true scary momments were left. Not to say the movie didnt have the odd errie scene but they were few and far between. The novel set these creatures as deadly hunters in our midst for centuries hunting our weak and sick without us knowing. This in my mind was quite a scary notion and we thought them men turned into wolves because of their intelligence that matched our own. The writer created a rich and moody atmosphere and in my mind totally original plotlines. The movie toke all that goodness and basically ditched most of it! Unless your amused by DOGS running around and in the end them vanishing in what can only be described as a terrible ending ( these creatures were flesh and blood in the novel not wiggy spirits ) dont waste your time i LOVE werewolf flicks and believe me it's not often i say such negative things about a film but this is a BAD movie even if you you are unaware of the injustice it did the novel it's still a silly and badly made flick!

2013-03-23 00:34:23

I'm Not Big On Scary Movies...But the Story Grabbed Me

I DEFINITELY am not a horror fan. It took me YEARS to see this movie completely. Eerie and scary. A different twist on the werewolf-type story. This is one you'll watch again...and again...even if you have to turn the sound down.

2013-03-22 22:39:06

Very odd

I was pretty young the first time I saw Wolfen but I remember that my reaction was bewilderment. A lot of people either hated Wolfen or left the theater with a shrug. It is based on a fine book but something got lost on the way to the big screen. Albert Finney is a terrific actor but he's wrong for this movie. He seems deeply uncomfortable in every single scene and I don't think it's just acting. The poor man is playing a New York City cop but his accent is all wrong. At best he sounds Canadian. On top of all this he mumbles his lines.The female lead does an okay job but her main reason for being here is to give Finney something to look at and the wolves something pretty to menace. There's an out of the blue sex scene but mercifully it's shot through the wolf's eyes so the audience doesn't get to see a semi naked Finney full on and in color. The only person who does well here was the late Gregory Hines, who plays a light hearted medical examiner. He gets killed of course but back when this movie was made the black guy always gets killed if not in the first reel then by the second. Indians, particularly those in New York were not pleased with this film and I can't really blame them. Edward James Olmos is a good actor but he's no more Indian than Finney was and it was obvious. This casting was just as offensive as gettitng a white actor, spraying bronzer on him and sticking a black plaited wig on his head. Now about the wolves. They aren't awesome in the least. It's just a pack of dogs. All of whom looked to me like they just needed a firm talking to and a milkbone. The ending was weak and Finney's characte seems just as befuddled as he was at the beginning. Also, the film fails because it preaches. Nobody wants to be preached at by a B movie. Ultimately, Wolfen is fascinating because it's so botched and it is fun to mock it but as a horror movie or even as suspense it doesn't cut the mustard.

2013-03-22 18:46:56

Wolfen, the other New York

Being a New Yorker I recognize this movie as having perhaps the most haunting and revealing shots of New York locations I've even seen in a movie.

Judge8080 2013-03-22 06:17:40

Wolves on the loose

Wolfen(1981) Satisfying, surreal horror flick about unknown superwolves that are terrorizing the streets of New York City. AlbertFinney,(in desperate need of a haircut) is the troubled, alcoholicpolice captain who has been assigned to find out why people are showingup dead at an alarming rate. The best part of this movie is theingenious cinematography work by Gerry Fisher and the movie is directedby Michael Wadleigh( Woodstock). Finney is good, as usual, and GregoryHines, in his film debut shines as a hip coroner working with Finney tosolve the murders.The leads, the story line, plus a good supportingcast including Diane Venora and Tom Noonan helps make 'Wolfen' a prettyinteresting film.

2013-03-18 21:09:57

Some reviewers are too generous.

"They can track you by yesterday's shadow, they can hear a cloud passing overhead." I saw this when it first came out in theaters and again years later. My opinion of the film did not change much. It was kind of interesting in concept, but had one central problem; Finney was a miscast. I have enjoyed Albert Finney in some of his other roles, and perhaps his work since Wolfen might be coloring some folks' take on this movie. But he is most certainly in the wrong part here. Which is too bad because I can still remember some of the film, so what's that say??"Their world is more complete."

2013-03-18 14:57:39

Maybe Not What You Think, Only Better

I've been watching the widescreen version of Wolfen on Laserdisc for about the last ten years. The DVD version is an absolute winner! Wolfen is a bit on the dark side, so the blacks of the DVD version are a significant improvement over VHS and Laserdisc versions. All around, the image and sound are really nice and 'crisp'. Visually, Wolfen is great to watch, and set at a perfect time of the year for a 'New York' look and feel that fit the story perfectly. This isn't really a special effects movie, but it was apparently one of the first extensive applications of the 'Steadicam', here giving us the visual 'point of view' from something we don't even see until well into the movie. Like going to a Halloween party and looking through a mask but not knowing what you're wearing until later in the party. It's also given an 'infra-red' look, and, net-net, it doesn't take a Rocket Scientist to figure out we're not viewing things through the eyes of one of the Good Guys. Or are we? James Horner's score is a perfect and haunting sound fit for the visuals and the story. (Interestingly, some of the recurring themes can be heard in another of his scores - Aliens, where they're again a perfect fit - don't argue with success).Set in and reflecting the time and place it was filmed, Wolfen has some (then current) social and political twists used as plot devices. Given that, they're mostly necessary to the story, though occasionally over the top a bit and almost distracting, as is some of the background acting. During some of these side-trips, things slow down a little.However, Albert Finney, Gregory Hines and Edward James Olmos make up for the slow spots and are the real gems in this. A joy to watch, they make their roles and characters credible and believable. Great anytime they're onscreen together or separately, watch them closely as each has as much going on with his expression as the dialogue - sometimes much more. The stage is set with the double homicide of a very prominent New York couple couple in the wee morning hours in Battery Park, seemingly without a clear motive. Finney, as a homicide detective, and Hines, as one the Medical Examiner's staff, pursue leads which, shall we say, take increasingly unconventional directions. Meanwhile, the subplots provide for the alternative and conventional explanantions of the day - the rest of New York's Finest (and they really are) go after radicals, assisted by Executive Surveillance Systems, who "have resources" the police don't have - in other words, the requisite hokey computers and interesting capabilities movies gave them in those days. Olmos plays a Native American who works the high steel of The City, and who is an integral part of the plot. Overall, this is a really good movie that combines a different and suspenseful story with main characters and actors who are really very good and believable. It's visually engaging, and the score fits it perfectly. Wolfen is probably more in the 'horror' genre than anything else, but it won't be what you expect, especially if you look at the front of the cover jacket. Do yourself a favor - if you don't already know more about Wolfen than what you've read here, don't read anything else - just buy the movie and watch it. The surprises are important.

2013-03-17 17:14:36

Worth seeing if you missed it in '81.

This film has a lot of atmospere. It turns a late 70s looking NYC into a gothic slum. If you like the tone of movies like the Shining, Howling, etc, then this one will catch your interest. I won't say it's as good as either of those movies, but there's a familiar late 70s vibe in Wolfen which came out in '81. The cinematography is eerie, high quality and artisic. At nearly 2 hours (114 mins) it's moody meandering drags occasionally. But viewers are rewarded with some splendid shots of the city (from atop the Brooklyn bridge, demolition lots in the Bronx, surreal wolfen POV shots etc.), putting it's erie 'Exorcist'-like spell over a now decades old New York (evidence World Trade Center). I went into this more excited than I came out of it. It's premise is obviously far-flung and probably worked better in the book (which I didn't read). The Wolfen are creatures that ride that line between Native American symbol and Cujo (a great movie I might add) - which could be one of things that weaken the film. We're not sure how exactly to feel about these carnivores 'ridding the pack of the weak and sick'.The actors carry the piece well though the main detective is a bit stodgy which helps slow the pace, but overall the acting fits and helps create the mood. As the plot really unfolds however, things got a little less intriguing for me, although I'll give 'em this much - they did a lot with the semi-wacky idea they were running on. I guess that's the supernatural for you. I'm happy I saw it. Halfway through the picture I'd have given it 5 stars. By the end I was down to 4 as it didn't reach the excitement level, or cleverness, of classics like The Shining or Exorcist. I wouldn't watch it again, but I'm happy to have seen it once. It certainly deserves that much, and sorry to hear the director never did another picture. He obviously had talent.

2013-03-17 05:56:05

A truly inventive horror film.

This film is both humorous in a dark way and frightening as well as gory and violent.It puts a spin on the werewolf story because the 'wolfen' aren't werewolfs at all. They're a protective urban species of wolf that dwell in the wreckage of the urban slums because that's where society has pushed them to.Well, they've had enough and have taken to murdering civilians as we see in the films frightening beginning.Albert Finney stars and is great as the aging, boozy cop who is assigned to investigate the murders.His dialogue and delivery is priceless and this would be a lesser film without his prescence.There are plenty of thrills and good style and filming as we watch the world through the eyes of the wolfen, which is kind of an infrared view that is very inventive. Yes,there is plenty of moralizing mumbo jumbo of a native american origin but this adds to the films originality.Plenty of memorable stuff here including a grisly decapitation and Edward James Olmos running around naked, acting like a wolf. Think maybe he's a suspect? The film never quite goes where you think it is and that makes it fresh and enjoyable though a bit dated. Still this is better than half the werewolf films that have come along since and is purely entertaining to watch.