02-18-2010, 08:25 PM
Thought it might be nice to throw a review on the original The Wolf Man. I'm gonna keep this as much as my opinion, personality and style as I can. The facts of this film and just how important it is, is out there - go research it.
By the Way... I'm Irish - there's probably is the odd "feck" in there.
The Wolf Man 1941
Directed by George Waggner
Written by Curt Siodmak
Lon Chaney Jrâ¦.as Larry Talbot / The Wolf Man
Claude Rainsâ¦.as Sir John Talbot
Evelyn Ankersâ¦.as Gwen Conliffe
J.M Kerriganâ¦as Charles Conliffe
Béla Lugosiâ¦as Bela
Warren William⦠as Dr Llyod
Ralph Bellamyâ¦as Captain Paul Montford
Maria Ouspenskayaâ¦as Maleva
Patric Knowles as Frank Andrews
Fay Helmâ¦as Jenny
Forrester Harveyâ¦as Twiddle
Running time 70 min
_____________________________________________________________
Plot
After being away for many years, Larry Talbot returns to his family home in Wales after his brother is killed in a hunting accident. As Larry settles back to life in the Talbot Estate and adjusts to getting to know his father again. Upon settling in he comes across the lovely Gwen and charms her into a date to get their fortunes told by the band of Gypo's that have just arrived in town. Larry meets Gwen but is disappointed to find she's brought her cock blocking friend Jenny. While at the fortune tellers Jenny is attacked, Larry runs to her aid and fights a some type of wolf / man / beast but in the process gets injured himself and thus the curse of the werewolf is passed to Larry.
Over the next few days Larry struggles with the realization that he has been cursed and slowly transforms into this werewolf. Aided by the local Gypo (the mother of the werewolf who Larry killed), Larry's father and the lovely Gwen, Larry fights as hard as he can against what is inevitable - full transformation into a monster and the carnage that will follow.
_____________________________________________________________
Review / Opinion
The Wolf Man, what a short and darkly sweet film this is. Its a visual and aural feast from the start.
Films of this era, all genres, made good use of big orchestra's and The Wolf Man is no different. Big strings and wind instruments greet you at the opening credits and stay throughout the whole film, changing to suit the mood - dark, sinister, frenzied state of panic and even sweet whenever Gwen and Larry are "having a moment".
Visually the film is class - lighting and the softening of focus when Larry finally looses it is great. What they did makeup wise to transform Larry must have taken ages, add this to the camera tricks, for its time is magic.
But the reason why I really love this film is the story - its meaning or double meaning - whatever. Set in a heavily superstitious town in Wales - your hit with werewolf folklore from the start - silver, moon, seasons and of course - the curse of a werewolf or any other type of curse wouldn't be right without a load of Gypo's thrown in. It must have been fascinating to an audience back in the 40's.
But the real Gold of the film is the underlying theme of insanity - this is why i love the film so feckin' much. A sucker for watching the human mind de-thread, this film to me (and its just my opinion) is really more about Larry being torn after he murders what he thinks is a wolf but it comes to light that its actually Mama Gypo's son. He delves deep into a deranged state of confusion. Torn between murder and the Gypo's warnings that he's cursed to live his life as a werewolf, Larry slowly descends into a downward spiral. The transformation of Larry becoming a werewolf with all the hair and late night ramblings can also be looked at as Larry slowly loosing the 'oul marbles!
Chaney Jr plays Larry fantastically. Watching him go from settling back into his old life and on promise with the local hottie to being plunged into pure confusion, struggle, turmoil, physically and mentally - you actually feel his fear and desperation - he's a genius. And to think.. it was all over a cock blocker!
The only piece of realness or sanity Larry has left is Gwen - and what a beautiful mess they've gotten themselves into. Gwen betrothed to another is won over by Larry and throughout the film its a - I'm saying no but my eyes are saying yes kind of "friendship" The pair fall fast and hard. Chaney Jr and Ankers have fantastic chemistry. Even in their first meeting their body language is very flirtatious. This progresses only more and as i said when Larry feels he has nothing left, he's lost it (marbles wise) he runs to Gwen. This is one, if not my favorite scene - he throws stones at her window - she looks out - he says nothing but holds his arms out in pure desperation. But on seeking Gwen he realizes he has to get as far away as possible.
The films ending is tense.. built fabulously - and where i don't want to ruin the end by spoiling it, the few final scenes really do tie both themes of folklore and insanity together with a bang. I have watched the end scene a few times now and always end up smiling - nice Curt⦠nnniiiccee.
_____________________________________________________________
All in all - I can't rate this film - its too important - A LOT of films wouldn't be around today if this wasn't made and I'm not talking just werewolf films either. As i said its a treat - dark, sweet and so so clever - the only way I can rate this is by saying - If you haven't seen this film yet you should be KICKING yourself in the shin right now.
By the Way... I'm Irish - there's probably is the odd "feck" in there.
The Wolf Man 1941
Directed by George Waggner
Written by Curt Siodmak
Lon Chaney Jrâ¦.as Larry Talbot / The Wolf Man
Claude Rainsâ¦.as Sir John Talbot
Evelyn Ankersâ¦.as Gwen Conliffe
J.M Kerriganâ¦as Charles Conliffe
Béla Lugosiâ¦as Bela
Warren William⦠as Dr Llyod
Ralph Bellamyâ¦as Captain Paul Montford
Maria Ouspenskayaâ¦as Maleva
Patric Knowles as Frank Andrews
Fay Helmâ¦as Jenny
Forrester Harveyâ¦as Twiddle
Running time 70 min
_____________________________________________________________
Plot
After being away for many years, Larry Talbot returns to his family home in Wales after his brother is killed in a hunting accident. As Larry settles back to life in the Talbot Estate and adjusts to getting to know his father again. Upon settling in he comes across the lovely Gwen and charms her into a date to get their fortunes told by the band of Gypo's that have just arrived in town. Larry meets Gwen but is disappointed to find she's brought her cock blocking friend Jenny. While at the fortune tellers Jenny is attacked, Larry runs to her aid and fights a some type of wolf / man / beast but in the process gets injured himself and thus the curse of the werewolf is passed to Larry.
Over the next few days Larry struggles with the realization that he has been cursed and slowly transforms into this werewolf. Aided by the local Gypo (the mother of the werewolf who Larry killed), Larry's father and the lovely Gwen, Larry fights as hard as he can against what is inevitable - full transformation into a monster and the carnage that will follow.
_____________________________________________________________
Review / Opinion
The Wolf Man, what a short and darkly sweet film this is. Its a visual and aural feast from the start.
Films of this era, all genres, made good use of big orchestra's and The Wolf Man is no different. Big strings and wind instruments greet you at the opening credits and stay throughout the whole film, changing to suit the mood - dark, sinister, frenzied state of panic and even sweet whenever Gwen and Larry are "having a moment".
Visually the film is class - lighting and the softening of focus when Larry finally looses it is great. What they did makeup wise to transform Larry must have taken ages, add this to the camera tricks, for its time is magic.
But the reason why I really love this film is the story - its meaning or double meaning - whatever. Set in a heavily superstitious town in Wales - your hit with werewolf folklore from the start - silver, moon, seasons and of course - the curse of a werewolf or any other type of curse wouldn't be right without a load of Gypo's thrown in. It must have been fascinating to an audience back in the 40's.
But the real Gold of the film is the underlying theme of insanity - this is why i love the film so feckin' much. A sucker for watching the human mind de-thread, this film to me (and its just my opinion) is really more about Larry being torn after he murders what he thinks is a wolf but it comes to light that its actually Mama Gypo's son. He delves deep into a deranged state of confusion. Torn between murder and the Gypo's warnings that he's cursed to live his life as a werewolf, Larry slowly descends into a downward spiral. The transformation of Larry becoming a werewolf with all the hair and late night ramblings can also be looked at as Larry slowly loosing the 'oul marbles!
Chaney Jr plays Larry fantastically. Watching him go from settling back into his old life and on promise with the local hottie to being plunged into pure confusion, struggle, turmoil, physically and mentally - you actually feel his fear and desperation - he's a genius. And to think.. it was all over a cock blocker!
The only piece of realness or sanity Larry has left is Gwen - and what a beautiful mess they've gotten themselves into. Gwen betrothed to another is won over by Larry and throughout the film its a - I'm saying no but my eyes are saying yes kind of "friendship" The pair fall fast and hard. Chaney Jr and Ankers have fantastic chemistry. Even in their first meeting their body language is very flirtatious. This progresses only more and as i said when Larry feels he has nothing left, he's lost it (marbles wise) he runs to Gwen. This is one, if not my favorite scene - he throws stones at her window - she looks out - he says nothing but holds his arms out in pure desperation. But on seeking Gwen he realizes he has to get as far away as possible.
The films ending is tense.. built fabulously - and where i don't want to ruin the end by spoiling it, the few final scenes really do tie both themes of folklore and insanity together with a bang. I have watched the end scene a few times now and always end up smiling - nice Curt⦠nnniiiccee.
_____________________________________________________________
All in all - I can't rate this film - its too important - A LOT of films wouldn't be around today if this wasn't made and I'm not talking just werewolf films either. As i said its a treat - dark, sweet and so so clever - the only way I can rate this is by saying - If you haven't seen this film yet you should be KICKING yourself in the shin right now.
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