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Average: 30.77%
Pretty Bad: 0%
Total Crap: 11.54%
Wolf Man, The (1941)
by MP Bartley
"My, what big teeth you have..."
One fact that seems to be forgotten when talking about the Universal horror series of the 1930's and 40's is that the iconic Wolf Man is entirely their own creation. Whereas the more famous Dracula and Frankenstein came from the pages of literature, the Wolf Man was a story simply based on some old folk-lore. So credit to Universal then for coming up with something as fondly remembered as Dracula and Frankenstein are, but it also perhaps provides a clue as to why 'The Wolf Man' as a film simply isn't that great.
Truly great horror films should also be scary (or at the least interesting) during the daytime scenes as they are during the nighttime scenes. Examples like 'Frankenstein', 'The Shining' and 'The Omen' to name but a few all accomplish this.
'The Wolf Man' doesn't. When we're trapped on the fog-curdled moors with a growling werewolf our only company it's as shiveringly enjoyable as any of it's cousin films. When it's bright and sunny however...it's dull exposition and leaden romance all the way. And as most Universal horror films are barely over 60 minutes, it's perhaps best to avoid showing your monster until the last 20 minutes.
However 'The Wolf Man' s still good fun, like most Universal horrors were, and still has a lot going for it. The afore-mentioned scenes on the foggy moor are so good they're worth mentioning twice, and the make-up of the werewolf has rightly gone down into legend.
Lon Chaney Jr as the returning Lord of the Yorkshire estate, Lawrence Talbot, is excellent and gives a troubled and sympathetic performance when he's bitten that gives the werewolf story the tragic centre it always needs. Bela Lugosi as the gypsy (conveniently named Bela) that bites Lawrence is a spooky delight as always and Claude Rains as Lawrence's father gives a bit of class and dignity to the film which adds to the tragedy.
It's just a shame that for a film set in Yorkshire, there's not a Yorkshire accent to be heard and is instead populated with Americans, cockneys and Lords. But that's Hollywood for you I guess.
So no classic to go alongside 'Frankenstein' then, but rather a flawed gem to go alongside 'Dracula' instead. Great performances, stellar make-up as always and when the lights go down and the fog goes up it's a spooky treasure. It's just a shame that when the lights go up your interest is likely to go down as well.
link directly to this review at https://www.efilmcritic.com/review.php?movie=4287&reviewer=293
12/13/13 gordy church scene is very dark
3/15/10 David A. Not bad, but it's just an imitation "Werewolf of London." Henry Hull's the real werewolf!
2/12/10 Dr.Lao Hasn't aged well, but Chaney gives a truly touching performance
1/26/10 PAUL SHORTT ENGROSSING HORROR WITH A GREAT CAST
1/25/10 art ACTUALLY,THE HAMMER FILM,CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF would give wolfman a run for his money!
9/27/09 action movie fan some atmosphere and good diolouge, chaney is good but the cat people was better and scarier
7/06/09 art OVERRATED!,WEREWOLF OF LONDON MUCH BETTER!
3/30/06 mst3k_couple Atmospheric and Classic
3/30/06 CalebX Lon Chaney Jr. is Amazing
3/30/06 Dethbyhashi The Greatest Werewolf Movie
12/22/05 cody a true classic werewolf flick, good visual effects time and great moody atmopsphere
8/03/04 Sean Scanlan A masterpiece.
7/09/04 Colin M. Demge This is a very fun film. Great Universal make-up!
5/24/04 Sean Scanlan Lon Chaney Jr. at his best
2/17/04 Mr. Blonde Very atmospheric and eerie; plus it's got Lon Chaney Jr. and Bela Lugosi! Excellent!
12/07/03 john wonderful atmosphere just a tad slow but who cares it's fun!
2/08/03 Charles Tatum Creepy fun
10/27/02 Rastabub "Whoever is bitten by a werewolf and lives becomes a werewolf himself"
8/19/01 Andrew Carden Extrenly Disappointing Horror Film. This Is No Classic At All.
6/20/00 Dr.Acula Chaney give a great performance as the tortured Talbot. Great make up, Classic Horror film!
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DVD: 27-Apr-2004
George Waggner
Lon Chaney, Jr.
Warren William
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