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The old-fashioned horror flick seems to be undergoing something of a revival. Following post-modern horrors like The Blair Witch Project, The Sixth Sense, and the Scream trilogy in recent years, films like Tim Burton's Hammer homage Sleepy Hollow have rekindled interest in some of horror's more venerable forms: haunted houses (The Others), werewolves (Ginger Snaps), vampires (Vampires), Satanic flesh-eating demons (Jeepers Creepers). Brotherhood Of The Wolf is something altogether different. A huge hit in France, where along with Amélie it has topped the box office charts and further demonstrated the desire for ambitious home-grown product (British producers take careful note), Brotherhood Of The Wolf, part Hong Kong action, British Hammer Horror, Merchant Ivory costume drama, and Hollywood high-concept thriller, is quite unlike any horror film you've ever seen.
Set in 1766 pre-Enlightenment (and pre-Revolutionary) France and based on a long-standing French folk legend, Brotherhood Of The Wolf takes place in Gévaudan, a rural backwater ruled by the aristocratic de Morangias family. When a mysterious beast begins devouring the local population, and the best efforts of military and aristocratic might prove impotent in catching it, natural historian, adventurer and rationalist "libertine" Grégoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) is despatched by Louis XV to deal with the problem, accompanied by his companion and blood brother, Canadian Mohawk Mani (Mark Dacoscos). Between abortive hunts for the Beast, Grégoire's enlightened ideas begin to conflict with the religious feudalism of the aristocratic rulers, Sardis (Jean-François Stévenin) and the de Morangias family, especially the saturnine young count, crippled hunter Jean-François (Vincent Cassel). When de Fronsac falls for de Morangias' sister, Madeline (Emilie Dequenne), and the Beast remains uncaught, he begins to understand that nothing in Gévaudan is quite as it first seems.
Directed by Christophe Gans, whose previous feature, an adaptation of the hugely successful Crying Freeman comic, was heavy on style but light on story, Brotherhood Of The Wolf becomes part-fantasy, part-history, part-action, a period romance dragged kicking and screaming into the technological twenty-first century, shot through with the trappings of classic horror. Echoes of films past resound throughout, from the period setting and Gothic atmosphere of vintage Hammers to sly homages to modern day heirs like Jaws and Alien, and from the mist-drenched Gévaudan landscapes to the gloomy, candlelit interiors, the whole film looks fantastic, all dashing costumes and diaphanous gowns with a luxuriant Merchant Ivory aesthetic. The characters - imports from a variety of genres (sadistic Count, libertarian knight, noble Indian, fiery love-interest) - are nicely poised, with Vincent Cassel cutting a particularly fine villain, and Gans wisely relies on technique to keep the Beast from sight for as long as possible, though the Creature Workshop CGI is solid enough when it finally appears. The story itself is over-complicated, with too many double-identities and plot twists to keep up with, and Gans' stylistic tics - cross-fades, slow-mos, jump-cuts, varying film stocks - become intrusive as the film wears on. But it's Brotherhood's gleeful plundering of genres that make for such an intriguing blend, mixing up restoration romance with Gothic horror, Machiavellian intrigue with medieval sword-and-sorcery, and domestic liaisons-dangereuses with some of the most thrilling (and out-of-place) martial arts action this side of ancient China.
Take note, Tinseltown. This one's got bite.
Reviewed by Oliver Berry
Reader comments about Brotherhood Of The Wolf (Le Pacte des loups)
Susie V Kaufman (susie@jarrett.nu) writes:
Oh, did I get a KICK out of this movie! I didn't want to go, because I knew there'd be some violence and gory stuff, but since I was invited to a screening (in its original form as "Le Pacte des Loups"), I gave in and saw the film.
Wow, wow, wow! If ONLY for the beautifully executed cinematography, this is a must-see movie! I loved all that French scenery, too, sigh. The actors were superb, and I especially enjoyed all that stuff Mark Dacascos (playing "Mani," a really neat guy) did -- I've only recently learned he's also a martial artist, and he sure PROVED himself with this movie!
I thought the costumes were amazing and authentic to the period, and the story itself was one I hadn't yet encountered on the big screen.
So all in all, I had a good time, and do recommend this movie to everyone over the age of about 13, and if you like GOOD martial arts, this is also an added bonus to an all-round good movie.
John Doe (Email address withheld) writes:
holy smoke, some full-on gallic butt-kicking action in this one. martial arts, hammer horror, style up to its eyeballs, this ravages ginger snaps and all the other mediocre Hollywood tripe recently. see this!
Goldberry (Email address withheld) writes:
There are only a few movies that I know that have made me exclaim, "Wow!" and that's what Le Pacte des loups has done for me. Though I loved it, I was dissappointed with Gans choice on using Decoscas for his earlier action flick, Crying Freeman. But what made me really enjoy the movie as a whole was his fresh approach to action choreography.
It was great to see this again in Brotherhood. At least we didn't have to put up with actors who you know couldn't speak the language (hint: Crying Freeman. Non-Japanese speaking japanese badly). Brotherhood had characters that are more believable and with a gripping plot plus great martial arts choreography, Gans makes John Woo's hollywood works look like B grade flicks. Highly recommended, this film will knock the socks off the harshest critics.
chu (chu@gedarmy.net) writes:
Oh how i cant wait to see this move, that is if it comes to my area. I have seen several previews for this and I get gitty like a school girl whenever I see them. This movie has got something fierce on me!
Heather Hartling (heatherhartling@hotmail.com) writes:
Incredible! The cinematography was excellent, the plot -- engulfing, and the props -- exquisite.
Paola (Email address withheld) writes:
I'm from Paris, I've been watching this film over and over and over again when it was broadcasted on theathers.
Then I bought the DVD and still, I'm watching it over and over and over and over again...IT'S JUST LIKE A DRUG!!!!!
Go to see it and you'll understand.
Be prepared to an overdose....
and be careful, you can even fall madly in love with the Mystic Indian...
Hes true name is Mark Dacascos, but you will dream of Mani...
Paola
lee (forever_night_1228@yahoo.co.uk) writes:
dose anyone one know were i can get a copy of this on dvd if so please contact me
Kindred13 (Kindred13@cox-internet.com) writes:
Does anybody know what animal the beast is under all that armor if you do please email me and let me know
Stacey (bleueyedangel27@yahoo.com) writes:
OH MY GOD!!!! I loved this movie! It has everything. I've already been to see it twice. This is definately a movie I have and will continue to tell everyone about!! Way to go to everyone who was involved in this movie! I can't wait for it to come out on video so that I may buy it and watch it over and over!
j from texas (Email address withheld) writes:
Big props to Gans and crew! This movie has all the ingredients of a classic. Very interesting plot/subplots, strong acting, photography, music and fight scenes.
Le Bihan, Dacoscos, Bellucci and Cassel consistently dominate the screen here. Cassel really shines throughout as the mysterious Jean-François.
The viewers interest is held here tightly by effective storytelling. A very tempting and satisfying film.
Joe Mitch (Azumawarrior@aol.com) writes:
I am a martial artist and a big Mark Dacascos fan. I love all his movies and I think he is a true martial artist. Botherhood of the Wolf was so awesome and well plotted. My girlfriend and i really enjoyed watching it. The action sequences were clear and beautifully coreographed.
I love this movie and I am looking forward to seeing it again when it comes out on video and dvd. My regards to the film and casting crew.
Tara Huber (ocdc.rocks@verizon.net) writes:
All I have to say is "Yeah, baby!!!"
When I saw this movie, it felt to me very...familiar, like (if there is such a thing as reincarnation) I've been there before. Mark Dacascos has a hot body! I loved his tattoo thing and his moves were so cool! I watched the fight scene when he confronts the beast over and over. Since the movie I have looked on the net on info and learned that Mark is a world renouned martial artist. Way to go, brother!
marnta stawell (Email address withheld) writes:
it was not as good as i had read about it in some reviews. fighting scenes were not realistic, since in real life you dont just fight one person at a time. romantic scenes could have been left out to focus more on its adventure and action. definitely not a "wow" film and mark's gotta learn how to fight or not to, in real life situations
Mike Listt (Email address withheld) writes:
Worst movie I have ever seen.
Was the "animal" claymation?
Yes the scenery was nice, good costumes. Some actresses where hot. That's it though.
90's Kung Fu in the 1700's get real.
pearce (Email address withheld) writes:
I live in Paris and I passed this DVD by a number of times until its price fell to a reasonable 20 euros (from a rather high 34 euros). The presentation of the film is a lesson in good packaging (no flimsy cardboard cases here) and a booklet inside. This film is stylish in the way that Hammer films could not be. It is understated in the way that the americans cannot ever hope to emulate (they have to explain everything). And it is shot in a style that Ridley Scott used in The Duellists. I have only seen the film in french so I do not know whether the translation is any good, but I would recommedn this slice of sophisticated horror to an film collector.
Grizzly Adams (Email address withheld) writes:
I thought this film was great in some of the sequences, but failed to come together as a whole. By the end I was getting bored.
Might just be me, but I thought it had a very similar feel to "The Thirteenth Warrior".
zain (zainmarwat@indiatimes.com) writes:
Hi
it,s very nice movie. mark has played very good role in this movie.tell me one thing that from which country mark decoscas belongs.
Eric Barnes (Email address withheld) writes:
Just pure magic, this movie brought me in and did not let go. I must admit that this is one of the only movies that makes me cry(even though myself being a manly man). I can not say enough good things about this movie.
mary brewer (jimmiemary@msn.com) writes:
I loved it. The scenery was amazing as
were the costumes. It was a little too
long for me. but that is ok since I am
a big Mark Dacascos fan. The style of the fight scenes should have gone more toward Copiera (As in "Only the Strong") but I will take Mark performing martial arts any way I can.
The creature wasn't a real animal. Jim Henson's workshop created it.The real
spelling of his name is DACASCOS. check out his website www.dacascos.com
Kevin (bronco881@msn.com) writes:
This was a great movie. It's the kind you can watch over and over again. Although, most of the people I talk to have never heard of it. I liked Dacascos' charactors tatto so much,I've elected to put it on my body.
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