There's talk at the minute of a revival of the great British horror film. It's been seeded, perhaps, by the media success of such confirmed genre fans as The League of Gentlemen, plus a dose of nostalgia for the heyday of Hammer and its ilk (just witness how many articles the DVD release of The Wicker Man (1973) has inspired in recent months). But it's also a natural escapist reaction to the rash of gritty mockney vehicles that we've seen in the past decade. Dog Soldiers is the first fruits of this embryonic renaissance, although ironically it's as informed by Lock Stock... (1998) as it is by Witchfinder General (1968). The twist here is that the mockneys are trapped in a deserted cottage, under the leadership of Sean Pertwee and fending off a pack of determined lycanthropes. When the artillery runs out, they're reduced to calling on their naked ingenuity, not to mention the sort of laddish balls of steel that lend proceedings the whiff of the fevered dreams of a Loaded sub-editor.
Essentially, that's it, and the film stands or falls on the simplicity of its premise. In some respects the result resembles something decidedly straight-to-video, with its snug cast and zero-budget look. More so, it feels like it's made by and for 'fan circles', in that it knowingly references everything from Alien (1979) and An American Werewolf in London (1981) to Grimm's fairy tales. All this nudge-nudge-wink-winkery could cripple the effect, but it actually makes for great fun. Curiously, the all-action set pieces are the weakest elements, as the giddy editing actually renders them nigh-on incomprehensible. Conversely, the breathing spaces between the action have a seductive sense of silly fun. It doesn't help, though, that the dialogue throughout is ropey in the extreme; when the chips are down, our heroes are incapable of bawling anything more edifying than 'I can't facking believe this!' time and again.
But in spite of its obvious shortcomings, it's hard not to declare that Dog Soldiers is a blast because, well, it does what it sets out to do: it's daft and exciting and it has soldiers fighting werewolves in it. It's perhaps disappointing that the first major British horror film in a good while takes such a tongue-in-cheek approach, and especially bewildering that it can't decide at times whether to be a bit serious after all. A truly worthwhile British horror revival would ditch the irony entirely and stick out its neck enough to be properly chilling. Debuting director Neil Marshall clearly has a way with his material: for his next trick, he can either indulge the peculiar dark humour that works so well here, or go all out for a genuinely unsettling horror film instead. If he doesn't take the latter path, it seems to be on the cards that someone else on these shores will, and soon.
Reader comments about Dog Soldiers
Justin Key (Email address withheld) writes:
A British movie that doesn't have a luvvie in sight, a horror movie without CGI or teenagers; how can it possibly succeed?
Well it succeeds through having good characters, great atmosphere and real edge of the seat tension. And quite a lot of blood!
This is what I call a werewolf movie! This film doesn't hark back to the Hammer days but looks instead to more recent action horror movies for its inspiration; this film is much more Aliens than Alien. In fact the film can be likened, sometimes too closely, to Aliens with the former even paying homage to the latter with a 'counting the ammo' scene and call for "short controlled bursts" which again (of course) goes unheeded.
Replace the colony complex with a claustrophobic farmhouse in Scotland (actually shot Luxembourg) and the aliens with werewolves. Add a non-Hollywood edge (you have a lot less idea of who is likely to be next), stir in couple of small twists and mix with a good amount of dark and 'military forces' type humour and you've got a fair idea of the basic outline.
Oh, and talking of humour, look out for the in-joke of the piano piece that gets played - answer at the end of this review if you don't want to work it out yourself!
The characterisations are well rendered, though a little clichéd, with each of the soldiers coming across as tough, though believable, people each standing out in their own way so you actually cared about whether they lived or died. This was backed up by good acting by a cast that seemed to me to have been given very good advice on how real soldiers spoke and acted. Watch out especially for Sean Pertwee [51st State] as the experienced sergeant, Kevin McKidd [Trainspotting] as the Special Forces reject and Darren Morfitt [Grafters] as squaddie 'Spoons'. Even the weapons handling seemed to be, for once, realistic (something that I, for one, really appreciated).
Of course it wasn't perfect … many have commented on the similarities to other films, though they often disagree on which films - Aliens, Evil Dead, Assault on Precinct 13, Southern Comfort … actually it doesn't sound like a bad set of films to be compared to does it? Being an independent they didn't have the massive budget for state-of-the-art special effects, though they did a damn good job with what they had and good direction helped add to the threat of the creatures… no CGI here though excellent use of surround sound! No depth was gone into about the why's and how's of the werewolves and some scenes didn't seem to flow as well as they could though it this seemed to me to be where some cuts had been made for pacing and really didn't detract that much.
I wonder if the DVD will reveal more… and come out in at least 5.1 for that great sound… and retain a 15 certificate despite the realistic language and large amounts of blood!
Whether, as is often the problem with horror and thriller movies, it works as well a 2nd or 3rd time around I don't know. The tension of who'll live, who'll die and what happens next will of course diluted by prior knowledge, but I think that this film is as much up to the challenge of repeat viewing as Aliens or any of the films it's been compared to.
Whatever the result it's definitely worth going to see at least once!
You really can't ask for much more from an action horror movie than this; great stuff.
8/10
Answer to the in joke: it's Claude Debussy 's "Clair de Lune" (In the Moonlight).
Keltech (mogse@btinternet.com) writes:
Excellent film!!
no need for a high budget the quality of the acting carries the film, the tension building is excellent and camera work also. Just like a nightmare it really makes you feel as if you are trapped with them. With good humour it has all the hallmarks of a great british horror, well worth watching its easily the best werewolf to come out since american werewolf in London.
was that really 20 odd years ago!!!!
10/10
Keltech
www.pyraplastic.com/film.htm
jojo b reynaldo (jojo_rsg@yahoo.com) writes:
30 july
I loved it. I never thought it would reach Manila but there it was,unkillable werewolves, cool British Army kit, a world-war II-type last stand and a rip-roaring finale inside a cottage---testimony perhaps to the low budget (didn't hurt much though). Of course, our theater was blessed to have Dolby sound, or else we wouldn't have understood the thick accents and slang. What I liked best in this madness: superglue plus whiskey can sure patch up spilled guts. To director Marshall, thanks for telling the world that British movies are not all "bone": Hugh Grant and Ivory-Merchant productions; this kick-ass film with bite (pun intended!) is what we need outside of scraggly Hollywood "hits." We look forward to more of your brilliant ideas.
Mm_Banshee (Mm_Banshee@hotmail.com) writes:
a great movie i havent seen a movie this decent since american werewolf in london which that too was a good movie but the thing that really grabs ur nuts is that the werewolves are NOT cgi animated which really kicks. i give it 5 stars lol but seriously it was a great movie with great actors.
Luke. That's all you need to know. (Email address withheld) writes:
Finally. A decent British horror movie. Forget Little Red Riding Hood and The Wolfman. This one makes it to the punch-line. I went to see it at the cinema when it first came out. And while my friends shit themselves at seeing a dead cow being thrown into a campsite, I was pissing myself laughing! There's no corrections to be made, and no bad points about the movie. Just enough blood and gore, and the movie keeps you waiting and waiting until you finaly see how big and ugly those hairy bastards are! The cast is perfect, enough fighting spirit inside all of them. And the death scenes are much more elaborate than in any werewolf film to date. An overall rating, I give it 100%. Ace!
bex (Email address withheld) writes:
Wicked!!
Absolutely enthralling,great fun and kept my teenage "Dude where's my car" brother at the edge of his seat, he rated it as the movie of the year; beating Spiderman.
More Please!!!
Simon Fry (simon.fry1@btopenworld.com) writes:
This film was fantastic. Hearing my 15 year old step son rave about a werewolf film coming soon got me slightly interested and upon visiting the local cinema ( Dolby Digital) with my best mate, I was set to sit down and watch a fairly easy going stupid horror flick like all the slick boring American junk we get today.
Wrong. I was caught between brilliant atmospheric build-up to gut churning set pieces (Don't run in a fir tree forest you may get spiked.
This film was good, it was refreshing as somebody who could not get in to watch Alien first time around and barely made it to American Werewolf in London to sit in a film and genuinely shiver with anticipation at the next scene. Any one who can remenber the trailer at the cinemas for American Werewolf will know that all you see is a puddle with the full moon reflecting then a lot of noise and running and then the beast that you don't see runs acrodss it. Scared me big time back then. This film held that effect for a very long time. The creatures were very Howlingesque but more scary. Congratulation to someone who had the balls to front this. Cultwise it will be up there with Aliens and American Werewolf ( in London not Paris )
38 years old and still enjoying scary movies.
Fazz (Email address withheld) writes:
Fan-bloody-tastic!
No real plot to speak of, low budget, & not too well known actors could conspire to make this film flop. But, what it does have in buckets is blood, gore, and fantastically funny dialogue. No one but no one can swear quite like the British can.
Treat the film entirely tongue in cheek and you'll be gasping in shock and laughing yourself silly.
An excellent evenings entertainment.
4/5
Ricardo R (Email address withheld) writes:
Fucking great! The weirdest things has me literally falling off the sofa with laughter (ie some of the most gory bits). The 'no explanation' thing works cos it just makes the werewolves more relentlessly scary, and any plot holes (and there are few) are swiftly forgotten with the next bit of action. Top marks.
Gareth Williams (Email address withheld) writes:
Absolutlely fantastic, this film is superb it keeps you on the edge of your seat right the way through!! highly reccomended, the best brittish horror movie for ages, although a low budget film compared to todays blockbusters, it still pulls it of nicely, you've probably never even heard of any of the 'stars' either but who cares they are great actors!! well worth a trip to the cinema
Superb
9/10
David Cox (Email address withheld) writes:
I was lucky enough to sit in on the DVD comentary with the writer/director, co-Producer, DoP and three stars, Kevin McKidd, Liam Cunningham and Sean Pertwee. Buy this when it comes out as it is simply the best commentary I have ever heard! Six guys sitting watching the film with beers in hand. The camaraderie really comes out when they are reminiscing about the fun they had making the movie. Out in the UK on 3rd February 2003.
clay sandford (Email address withheld) writes:
wow! what can i say? this is without a doudt the best horror movie iv seen in a long time & defnatly the best film of the year. grotescly funny with just about anothe chessyness & gore to forget the plot. well worth a couple of hours of anyones time.
Rachael (rachaelinhemovies@uboot.com) writes:
I saw this film after missing the one-off late showings at the cinema (actually glad i didn't see it on the big screen... bit scared!). Well anyway, thought it was really good.... about time we saw some quality northern actors. i think thats what makes it so creepy... the thick british accents add to the reality, none of the cheesy hollywood malarcy. Was genuinely quite afraid, though probably need to see it twice to catch what everyone says and the whole plot and all.
Keep those films coming
Xing Wei (nova_11@sina.com.cn) writes:
It's very well for a dirctor debut. I like it very much. But I think the director didn't notice some details in this movie. I like the actors, they are great.
Bob the badger (Email address withheld) writes:
Bloody amazin! the best film in a long time! proper brit flick an miles better than any american crap! an so funny, I had to watch it twice to catch everything i was laughin so hard. Joe and spoon were the men!
jon caruso (cliffhanger0311@aol.com) writes:
This movie was very exciting and the characters were totally believeable.I have seen it a couple of times and is is so much better than the junk hollywood is putting out,It was nice to see some heros worth rooting for instead of a bunch of teenage nitwits,Sean Pertwee was great as Sgt. Wells,being a vet myself I can say he was exactly on target with his portrayal,Spoon was a badass and Cooper was very tight,the scenc when the wolves are menaceing the sleeping Sgt. gave me the willys.All in All BRAVO!!!!
SilverFang (silverfang@cableone.net) writes:
I loved it! it was werewolf-a-refic!
It had so much action in it! I loved the style of the Werewolves to! I draw Werewolves and that's the only thing i do. so if you ever want me to make you a pic or 2 of werewolves then I'll be more then delighted to. Just e-mail me. With wolfie wuv, Silverfang
pete Bancroft (pete_b@27woodside.fsnet.co.uk) writes:
enjoyed it enormously, the reference to'Zulu' (best brit film ever) was a master touch. note the window smashing (Hook) and the delerious sergeant being dragged through a loophole in a wall. Not to mention the sergant's direct coment, ''be a good gentleman your upsetting the/may (?) lads'
as far as Andy's critisism of the dialouge goes, i was a Brit soildier for 18 years and could imagine the boys using the exact same language in the same (crazy i know) circimstances.
good film. knocks the yanks for six.
sequel??????????
Pete
Seth Westrip (sethwestrip@hotmail.com) writes:
I think 'Dog Soldiers' is the best film I have seen in a long time let alone the best british film I've seen ever! Although on a very tight budget the film was amazing! The comedy was hilerious and the action was great! Plus it had a babe! Everything a good film needs! 5 stars in my opinion! Brilliant! Definately worth buying on DVD to watch time and time again! Seth Westrip.
Guy (Email address withheld) writes:
Top fun. I think the best gag line in the flic hasn't really been mentioned by a lot of people in reviews that I've read... and that was the Matrix-tribute "There is no spoon..." - hilarious.
Ben (the wolf) (dracolizard@hotmail.com) writes:
The best film made in my opinion, i saw it the day it was released and twice more after that, the third time driving all the way from surrey to brighton and back in one night because that was the only place still showing it. FANTASTIC and i am THE BIGGEST FAN, if anyone thinks that they can rival my fanidity (not a realy word) email me! it will be good to hear from ya!
Simon Woods (debaser102@hotmail.com) writes:
Holy crap, its such a good film, who gives a dam about the budget, Wes Craven couldn't do better for all the money in the world! The acting was brilliant and they acctually sounded like troopers "CONTACT"!!! As opposed to Arnie's shooting from the hip in a tight vest. One of the best films in a long time
Chuck (Acidcrypt666@aol.com) writes:
I can't say enough good things about this movie. Excellant cinamatography, lighting, camera work, acting, special effects..the list just goes on.
Being from America and forced to deal with horrible CGI for most horror or action/horror movies..it was refreshing to see a werewolf movie with NO CGI..and done right. Working in the Horror effects industry myself..i always have a deeper respect for hands-on special effects to CGI. This film, having a low budget, had more convincing creatures then most American high-bidget releases. Comparison: The werewolves in Dog Soldiers...to the cheesy, fake Licker in Resident Evil. Need i say more?
The dialog was both sharp and whitty, the characters were very convincing, and the aciton sequences were second to none.
This is by far the best movie ive seen this year..and overall one of the best action/horror films out there.
Matthew (n/a) writes:
DOG SOLDIERS is a great movie
with lots of comical scenes to the film i couldnt help noticing on dog soldiers VHS version not DVD when the S.A.S soldier orders Private cooper to shoot the dog the handgun has no clip in it.
Well whats that all about.
overall a blood execellent film.
lewis (Email address withheld) writes:
quality at last a decent horror movie. after hearing about it i rented it best movie i have seen in a long time easily scores 10/10
TJ (sundark777@yahoo.com) writes:
I think, it was great horror film. More better than Alien or stuff like that. It was probably quite low budget, but still truly scary anyway. I liked those realistic weapons in this movie. Peoples act and panic was realistic too. As matter of fact...outstanding.
Denise R. (Email address withheld) writes:
I am still thinking about this movie! I loved everything about it and this may sound corney but I really cared about the characters. I am an adult who loves a good horror film and this
definitely fits the bill. One of the best films I have seen this year.
frank (fdogg23@aol.com) writes:
This movie really "did my nuts in." a bloody excellent horror movie by far. of course you can compare this movie to aliens and evil dead and whatever the bloody hell you want, but DOG SOLDIERS had no where near the amount of green to allow for special effects to reign in the spectacle category (if there is one)..hell even the music was excellent! Sean Pertwee was extremely believable in his role as 'the sarge' and all characters were vulnerable, which is why i believe the characters were so damn enjoyable!
i would love if they made a DOG SOLDIERS II..nothing like American Werewolf in Paris..what an awful misfortune...but i thought one way they could bring the movie back is if that the she-wolf who gets 'put out of her misery' at the end of the movie had wolf-lins (baby wolves)hidden someplace..maybe a secret laboratory?..just a thought...a six start movie on a five star scale lads!
ps.
would like to see sean pertwee in more cinema..all i've seen him in is the yankee movie EVENT HORIZON..
Nikki (Email address withheld) writes:
Wow, it was one of the best movies
i'v ever seen. It had all of the right
material the actors were great and the
action was breath taking, ultimately the best Werewolf movie out there. i'v
never seen werewolves detailed so well,
it was just how i pictured them to look like. And the setting was amazing, it was like it made you want to be cautious aroun every corner. I would give it a %113.
Lorcz the spoon (Email address withheld) writes:
Wot Can i say.
This film is one os the greats of today. Humour and gore make this one of my alltime favourites.
Spoon is ard!!!!
JimBoB - Finally a great british Horror! (Email address withheld) writes:
Ive watched this on DVD three times in as many days and it just keeps on getting better!Its black humour is brilliant and good in contrast to genuine moments of fear.
Its also a good one for film buffs as it contains numerous quotes and references to other films (Assault on Precinct 13, Zulu, A bridge too far and of course the Matrix: "There is no Spoon!")which are fun to spot.
Its also nice to see some proper regional accents outside of Byker Grove!
Dont be put off by the bad reviews you may have read, this is top quality low budget filmaking and destined to become a true cult classic!
Matt (Email address withheld) writes:
Dog Soldiers
Spoon deserved to live!
Have any of you noticed that Has anyone noticed the book titled 'strip poker' on the shelf of the house, the camera pans past it around the middle of the film.
Has any one else noticed that When Cooper is tunneling through to the 'kazi' and a werewolf ncomes through the door, the tap that he jams in its head has blood pooring out of it as if it were connected to the mains water supply!
Also, at the end of the film, in one of the photogrophs you can quite clearly see the werewolf's piece, especially with dvd pause and zoom! Hee Hee Hee
Cuddy Beast (Email address withheld) writes:
i disagree with jimbob i think dog soldiers is good but really can't be classed as a horror, it's more of a comedy really. i spotted the strip poker book slipped among the other classical style books.
Some Yankee (Email address withheld) writes:
They had this movie in the cinema for one week at one theatre in Cambridge , (MA.USA)and was showed only once a day @10pm. I can't find it showing anywhere. I guess it's destined for DVD. Maybe when enough people figure out that this might be better entertainment than "guy thing" it will be given a fair chance. That's life and $$ in the pg-13 USA INC.
Geordie (Email address withheld) writes:
What can I say, I was lucky enough to watch 'the Doog' at the cinema on a saturday afternoon and the place was empty, no one else screen was there except me and a mate. HOW! What were people thinking of? How could they miss this film? I laughed my small male nipples off. I come from Northern England and know many ex-soldiers and the characters couldn't have been more believable.
This is simply a bloody good film I will be buying the DVD on the day it is released and can't wait!
When will there be a sequel (has to be at least half as good as the first!)?
bob carroll (recarroll@postmaster.co.uk) writes:
Word is that they are planning a trilogy.
As Sean Pertwee has said, "It's not called Dog Soldiers" for nothing."
If I'm entirely honest though, I much preffered the girly but grisly Ginger Snaps.
natalie kennedy (Email address withheld) writes:
the best brittish film i've ever seen.
the film is great on DVD it's. all the people in the film deserve an oscar!. the guy who played "spoon" is a really good actor. the film is really well done the special efects,eg. the blood and guts were really good.
defenatly 10/10
Mack King (mack@austarmetro.com.au) writes:
As a reviewer (and a fanatical lover of horror films, but that's beside the point), I found Dog Soldiers to be one of THE most entertaining low-budget films ever made.
Then again, when you think about the generic crud that Hollywood is putting out these days, it isn't that hard to achieve that sort of status. But even IF, and it's a big "if", Hollywood were not producing such pathetic wastes of good film (Jason X, anybody?), I'd still rate Dog Soldiers amongst my top 5 movies of all time, alongside Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Fight Club and The Killer.
Neil Marshall deserves a medal for this. Having been through the process of writing, producing and directing my own films, I know just how frustrating, enjoyable, painful, heart-breaking, irritating and rewarding the experience can be. That the film was low-budget makes it even more of an accomplishment. The casting is perfect, and it walks the perfect line between horror and comedy.
It is films like these that either make or break the reputation of people in the movie business. Look at Quentin Tarantino: Reservoir Dogs made him a star and, after the even greater success of Pulp Fiction, turned him into both a cult and mainstream director, elevating him to the status attained by other greats such as John Woo and, to a lesser extent, Clint Eastwood.
Dog Soldiers, I salute you, and hold you up as an example of the way movies should be made. Now, if only someone would actually take some notice...
NEIL TUDOR (neil.jo@ntlworld.com) writes:
Saw it on the Flix when it came out, and just bought it on DVD today(18th Feb 2003).I thought it was great on the big screen, and seeing it again, just minutes ago..I think it's even better!! What a great ensemble piece from all those cool actors.Always liked Sean Pertwee's grittiness...just the ticket here!Everyone playing it very straight,adds to the realism....these guys must have been squaddies in an earlier reincarnation..lol. The dialogue as superb...no hollywood "crap-talk" here......The general atmosphere is very tense and scary..and character reactions to events are very believable...Jeez, when Pertwees guts are falling out..he lets the world know of his pain...wouldn't you?
Great move having the Northern accents there....creates the feel of the ordinary juxtaposed with the fantastical Werewolf element...you believe that it could happen.
As for the FX......spot on...no crisp ,clean C.G.I. here... rather..slimy bloody, visceral real-time skin and bone!!! In the early stages, you only get the usual tiny,fleeting glimpses of the Creatures,and if your like me, you start to think that the film- makers dont want you to see their budget"man in a rubber suit".....not so..as the film progresses you are treated to lingering,well lit shots of the Wolves, and boy,do they stand up to scrutiny.
To sum up...this film is an absolute joy..and as others here have said..is destined to become a cult classic, in the mould of that other great (initially)overlooked masterpiece..Carpenter's "The Thing"
Lets hope the makers read these "Boards" and think of treating us to a re-match
Neil T (Age 41...N.W. England)
Nick A (Email address withheld) writes:
The best film that I have seen or bought for years.
Watched it numerous times since I bought it and will watch it again and again.
The blood and guts and black humour make it A1.
Lets hope for a sequal!
10/10
Mark Hill (Email address withheld) writes:
I think you have to agree that Spoon is fucking quality, the best film iv seen for a while. You wouldn't see the yanks having the balls to do that?
JoHnb0y (Email address withheld) writes:
Umm guys its not that great a film...
Wanna get out more..or i suggest if u like british films - see The Parole Officer!
Alan partidge hashad a hair cut, lost 10 yrs of his age and starts to shag 20 yr olds!
Jenny Rushby (Wesker155@hotmail.com) writes:
To be honest this is the BEST film I have seen in a very very long time, and a good film to finally come out of my native britain (Face it 28 Days Later wasnt what it promised)
The reasons I like it so much are
1) Lack of CGI, I'm getting really fed up of seeing CGI all over the place, and I LOVE the fact that the Lycanthropes are just guys in costumes on stilts.
2) The dialog, you dont hear the word "Twater" in many film, seeing as most box office films these days are American, so to hear native insults is pure class ;)
3) The characters, you can relate to some of the things they do in the film (Like get into a wardrobe without question, face it, its the most human hthing to do)
4) Spoon.... A guy that can fist fight with a Lycanthrope for more that 2 minutes has to be a God of somekind!
5) The DVD extra's, some are really funny when you acually listen to what they say. And with out-takes, you cant go wrong
But over all is it worth the 101 minutes you spend watching it? Honestly yes, and if a girl like myself can enjoy this film, then I dont see why the rest of you shouldnt. I would either sujest renting and/or buying it.
Http://www.dogsoldiers.co.uk
Http://www.dogsoldiers.cjb.net (I own this one)
Baz Garner (Email address withheld) writes:
Bought the DVD at the weekend and I have to say that I thought it was a superb film. The black humour and gore is a great mix which makes you laugh just before you crap yourself.
Considering the budget, the film doesn't lack anything. It just serves up a treat for blood thirsty fans everywhere. I've just got to get the missus to watch it now!
the celtic guardian (Email address withheld) writes:
What a high quality film,i loved it and didnt even notice that it was a low-budget movie! Britain rule! This film was almost as good as starship troopers and resident evil and if you knew me,you would know that was an honour!
the man with the pen (Email address withheld) writes:
to put it simply:
THIS MOVIE ROX!
Superior, superior.
It is supposed to be the first of a trilogy, so we can only wait and see. I'd to see the second film have the werewolves attacking Edinburgh or something. Transitionning the wolves from the woods to the city would be cool.
Also Spoon should have lived!!!!! Let's hope is identical twin brother is in the sequel!
Tom (Email address withheld) writes:
Greta film!! I watched it i thecinema then went out and bought it on DVD!! Can be watched over and over. To make i better go in a house in the countyside and turn the lights out and be there all by yourself.. your sure to shit your pants then! 10/10
Danny (danny51186@hotmail.com) writes:
who cares about Ginger snaps, American Werewolf in London and American Werewolf in Paris. Dogs Soldiers literally flaws them. Im proud of the fact that spoon (ones of the best charaters in the movie) came from up the north east. Im told that the movie never really made big in the US due to the tone of real Brit language!.What the hell are they missing!
Spoon forever
I hope I give ya the Shits, ya f**kin wimp!
mack (Email address withheld) writes:
fuckin A. lets face it, this film kicks the shit out of just about every other horror film in recent years, then proceeds to give 'em a good arse fucking while they're down. it genuinely create as sense of involment in it and you actually give a toss about what happens to the characters (except ryan, what a wanker!). i bought it on dvd a week ago ang ive already seen it about 9 times. lets hope the next one doesnt get the hollywood treatment.
p.s. my mate said that neil marshall may be directing alien 5!
Casey (TrueCrucifixion@aol.com) writes:
This movie scared me silly!!! I loved the suspense and I haven't seen something this great since Return Of The Living Dead, I love the zombie cult movies, but this is a new love for me. Gotta go buy this upcoming paycheck *lOl* GREAT GREAT movie, will have you tearing up and shaking.
Janice Wallace (Email address withheld) writes:
Its a great movie ands it's funny. I just loved it's one of my favourites. I hope there is an other one and if there is make sure Copper is in it he is great and cute.
luke gillatt (gillatt1@hotmail.com) writes:
best film i have ever seen that will show the americans how to make a decent horror and army film i reccomend you deffinatley see it i rate it a big 5 star
Westy (Email address withheld) writes:
I thought this film was a touch of class! The actors play their parts with conviction and the lack of computer generated effects only adds to the raw grittyness of the film! if you havnt seen it yet, watch it!
Jen (JenniH@uboot.com) writes:
DOG SOLDIERS was fantastic, I must admit I was a bit unsure myself at watching the film, initially reading the back of the dvd, I thought "cheesy" usually any form of werewolf movie has been absolute CAK, but this however, was brill and a real exception.
I'd never heard of the film until I had spotted it in the shop, which was weird because I wouldnt normally have looked for anything like it. Creepy.
The combination of Black Humour and horror was expertly done.
On the budget Marshall had, it just goes to show you dont need a massive amount of money to make a decent film. I did however wonder what happened to cooper (kevin Mckidd) at the end, how did he get out?? Classic at the end when all that remains is cooper, chargrilled guts, smoke, and of course that fantastic dog! ! all of course surrounded by huge amount of rubble!
The final scene is great, as if the sergant knows what he is about to become. You can see the fondness he has for private cooper and knows he has a chance of survival and takes his own life rather than become a hairy 8ft howling mutt.
Brilliant film, brilliant cast an absolute gem of a film. Expertly done.
(Kevin Mckidd- fantastic!)
SEQUEL ASAP PLEASE !!
Simon (Email address withheld) writes:
Im confused.
All the critics says its not all that great. But ALL of you say its f***ing amazing! Does anyone agree with the critics? I know they arnt always right...but EVERYONE disagreeing?
amy (mac111@frontiernet.net) writes:
This film is the best horror/werewolf film I have ever seen. The acting was brilliant along with the werewolves, story and everything else this movie has to offer. This movie combines pure comedy, action and horror into one hell of a film. I cannot express all of the great feelings I have for this amazing movie, well, I'll just tell you that its my number one favorite movie of all time and hopefully that will sum it up. 'DOG SOLDIERS' RULES!
Jim (fudy56@hotmail.com) writes:
Excellent movie, i can safely say that this is the best movie i have seen in years, i have seen many movies that are great - British, American etc, but this movie is not only worthy of downloading but it's worthy of buying.
It's one of those movies you will watch again and again.
I have downloaded this movie and bought it.
Excellent british/scotish acting, fantastic camerawork, edge of your seat atmosphere and will scare you shitless.
I found it realistic even though it's about werewolves, it's the whole setup, the scene, the story, the dialogue, and the ability to scare you at 30 years of age.
I watched this and "28 Days Later" one after the other, i was shiting myself as i had to walk home at 4am, raining heavily, through a silent city, alone.
Axel (Email address withheld) writes:
Message to the reviewer...
This film had the sharpest dialogue of a horror film this side of Alien. Maybe the reason the main characters didn't say anything more edifying than "I can't facking believe this!" was because they were meant to be SOLDIERS. Ever met a squaddie? They don't go big on Hegelian dialectic or Cowardesque witty banter.
Andy Murray would struggle to write an accurate parking ticket, let alone a film revue.
Dave Dynamite (davedynamite64@hotmail.com) writes:
Fan McFookin'tastic!
My fave film of all time. The great thing about it is the way it shows the British army. Under funded, fed up, sick and tired of rubbish training exercises... but when the action starts, professionalism and agression all the way. A great piece of recruitment propaganda if you ask me.
The comedy just tops off the whole experience. To be able to laugh at such a dire situation really adds to the overall effect and the characters of the film.
A MUST SEE MOVIE
Freddy Pope (frederickpope@hotmail.com) writes:
I agree it is an excellent film. The atmospherics are authentic and creepy, and give the film an amazing feel. I am surprised no-one else have pointed out the obvious Night Of The Living Dead similarities - people being chased for no reason, holing up in a farmhouse, the car is meant to save them but becomes a death trap, the people inside turn into zombies (werewolves), total lack of explanation and - most obviously, the hero lives because he hid in the cellar (although in Dog Soldiers he doesn't have "normal" rednecks to contend with.
Great movie.
Andy Murray (Email address withheld) writes:
Blimey - do I really have to defend my own review? I mean, y'know, read it. It's very positive about the film. I liked it. I also picked up on elements that I thought were weak, and why. That's called 'constructive criticism', or 'film reviewing'.
And Mr Axel - if you're going to slight my ability to write a review, you really ought to learn how to spell the word. That's just courtesy, right? Believe me, there are more effective ways of implying that the characters in your film are in a situation that they can't believe is happening other than have them say as much, in so many words, repeatedly.
I dunno, kids today...
kylie (Email address withheld) writes:
wow what an excellent movie,i liked it a lot better than wat i thought i would. Horror, comedy, werewolfs and men in uniform, wat more could you ask for..hehehe.. And Leslie Simpson stole my heart:o)
Leon Harrison (juni0r@clear.net.nz) writes:
'Dog Soldiers', finally got to see it but sadly had to take the DVD back to the rental store. Soon enough I'll have my own copy. Aye I will, Werewolves in Scotland yes, by oath I will. Then I will watch it again and again and write a Film Review on it. I enjoyed it far more than ever expected. These guys must have had so much fun doing this film. Great Brit' humour, the creature creation was good, especially considering the budget. Not only that it was refreshing to see a film which didn't pound you with CGI. And a film were soldiers were the focus and we had some quality military advisers in the background. The sorts of antics soldiers get up to was all in there, the tactics and teamwork, and of course, again, the humour.
Here's one of those rare films I knew I was going to love even before seeing it. Sure enough, 'Dog Soldiers' was a major hit in my opinion. Haven't had such a great laugh since I don't know when. It wasn't a comedy in the strickest sense, nor was it meant to be thought provoking (OK I admit 'what would I pack if I knew Werewolves were on the prowl?' did come up a couple of times... to what I answered, my trusty SLR, or mister G3 thank you very much.) 9mm at even 800 rounds per minute just doesn't cut it for furry bipedals. It was all about pure entertainment. It wasn't trying to be anything - just good fun and an exellent film done on a budget. Regards the last point - it rated far higher than many with the big dollars and the grand special effects, and rubbish acting which seems to typify many movies these days. Suits for the Werewolves? Yes. The classic approach, no lazy technology here, and very well done. Same as Predator, same as Aliens. Two fine films which still rate top in their class. And I do agree - this was more about the soldiers, teaming together to fight a foe, just a different one than they ever expected, considering they were out on a routine Ex. Much more about that than the Werewolves themselves. An enemy that just wants to chow down, and some lads who just don't wanna be eaten and have the firepower to press the point.
And the word 'squad' must sound cooler than the word 'section'. So much for it being a pointer to been a hit in the US. It wasn't given a chance on the releases over there. Real shame, cause the Americans are screaming out for this film. I can see the likes of Amazon doing a real trade on this beauty piece of cinema.
Some decent extras on the DVD as well, including cuts, and interviews. If you want pure entertainment, rib ticking laughs and plenty of lyconthrope action, I highly recommend 'Dog Soldiers'.
A sequal I'm actually looking forward to... Dog Soldiers 2 : Fresh Meat.
jean (j.jhdd@btopenworld.com) writes:
Great to see Americans have got good taste and definatly a sense of humour, i was begining to doubt it, e.g. American Pie 1 2 3. Theres more great films like this but i doubt you'll ever get to see them, pity you'd love them.
Ash (Email address withheld) writes:
DOG SOLDIERS.... Well what can I say, best film I've seen, my favourite!!!! I think it totally craps over all other films, and shows hollywood that you don't need a big budget to make a great film. Hope to see sequels in the future. BRITAIN RULES!!!!! THE BRITISH ARMY RULE too!!!! As does this film!!!
Scott P (Email address withheld) writes:
What can I say? Great springs to mind! A real horror film that really dosn't take itself seriously. I would like to write more but, Im lost for words.
Papa Lazarou (spike2440@hotmail.com) writes:
Well i saw the film at the cinema, bought the DVD & Video upon release and have to admit pissing myself laughing each time i watch it. Top film, no yank attempt has come close even with their largely inflated budgets.
Best way to watch this film is to just close your mind to all the flaws and enjoy a gore fest of hilarious dark comedy. Eachactor takes their role brilliantly and Darren Morfitt as Spooner was unique.
Neil Marshall has obviously observed the tradition of 12 bottles of newcy brown in newcastle on a saturday night and the after effects when men take on the world, if we all think of it how many of us have faced off with a neanderthal bouncer when under the influence?
jonny (nathanobrains@hotmail.com) writes:
this is one of the best british horror films i've ever seen it is shot very well it had jokes that only we british could understand it had a very good cast.Lets hope there will be more horror films like this.
super film
10/10
chris metcalf (www.chrismete@aol.co.uk) writes:
i think it is a b rilliant film it is my favourite film nothing can beat it because it is realistic the actors are brilliant and my favourite bit was when spoon kicked the wearwolves ass
lee davey (sexgod2001@hotmail.com) writes:
this is a great film i love it i think spoon is one of the best characters he has the balls to take on w werewolf hand to hand i could watch this film over and over again
ZipZip (Email address withheld) writes:
Great little movie that stands tall on some wonderful and intense performances. The only weakness comes from the poor looking werewolves that look like a man wearing tight spandex with a dogs head on top. Otherwise alot of fun to be had here and a great cast of characters too.
Ginger (Email address withheld) writes:
Man wearing tight spandex with a dog's head on top is one of the movie's strongest points. What more can I say!
John (jcyall2001@yahoo.co.uk) writes:
Just saw this film for the first time after hearing about it from my brother! I was sceptical before watching it as typical horror films are so samey! But...
The film was barely over before I had gone to the shops and bought it!
Without doubt the best horror to come out of Britain for a long time! It smashed the traditional genre for this type of film and introduced proper REALISTIC (although its a werewolf film) death sequences.
The best thing about this film is the desperate British troops homour to get them through the night. We could have seen any old american 'run for your life, trip over a few times before a knife wealding maniac stabs you over elaboratally' film but this has more life like situations. For example, as Spoony is nailing the door shut and a werewolf puts his hand in the letterbox, Spoony starts smashing it with his hammer screaming F*** Off! How realistic is that! Thats what I'd do!!! I'd shout more than F*** Off!
More of an army film about werewolves than a werewolf film with soldiers! This is the genious of it!
Overall a brilliant work of British homour quite literally slashed with kick ass action!
Dog Soldiers is by far and away one of the great horror films of late!
***** 5/5
Tom (4068@plantbrk.bham.sch.uk) writes:
Saw the film at my mates house and it was brilliant! Spoon is the best out of the lot!It ha some of the best quotes ever:'We either stay and snuff it, or go and snuff it,decisions decisions!'
'Come and have a go if u think ure hard enough, come on u beautys!'
Gemma (ammeg2003@hotmail.com) writes:
I thought that this was a brillant film and had me jumping every two minutes. It was so good that I am basing my media work on it. I love watching it over and over again and still I jump even though I know what is going to happen. I give this film a 10 out of 10
steve (Email address withheld) writes:
having watched this film several times after taping it off sky and buying the dvd i can only say one thing
great film sarge!
and my most famous quote from the film is
I HOPE I GIVE U THE SHITZ!
said by spooney whilst pinned up by cute fluffy chihuahua
jake (Email address withheld) writes:
my favourite part was were the dog was pulling the sarges intestines and when spoon shouted come and ave a go if u think your hard enough and when terry said "werewolves more like pussys" it was a bitch of a werewolf film
zero g (Email address withheld) writes:
This movie was'nt bad at all,i enjoyed it.The werewolves could have looked better though,no cgi was needed at all.Whether you liked it or not you have to agree it was better than RESIDENT EVIL!!!!
Papa Lazarou (spike2440@hotmail.com) writes:
Rumour has it that we should all be rubbing our hands with excitement as Dog Soldiers 2 is in the pipeline.
I heard this off a friend who knows Neil Marshall.
About time as well. And to add to favourite quotes, another one here from the ever funny spooner
" Nah man, we just been attacked off geet big fucking howling things!"
kirsty (Email address withheld) writes:
my friend made me watch this film. after nagging me about it for some time. i thought it was excellent. for a low budget film it was really good. very scary, had me on the edge of my seat, screaming-the lot. my fave quote of the film was:
"i only have 1 question, what does bone mean?"
"bone-bolocks, naff, not very good!"
garry (Email address withheld) writes:
it was an alright film pulp fiction was better and the night of the living dead
Steph (Email address withheld) writes:
It may not be the greatest film to ever hit cinemas and dvd players but I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it. First time I saw it I jumped several times and everytime since it's great.
It must be the Englishness of it all. :)
Blane (blazedbaily@aol.com) writes:
Agreed, typically English, dark comedy matched by familiar one liners. Unusual spin on a wolfy tale, utilitarian with gothic undertones. Nice dog!
Callum (Email address withheld) writes:
just saw it on showtime. At night, all alone. With a full moon. Scary the first time, funny the second. This is one of the best films around.
I liked the irony.
"Dogs, more like pussies!" Then the guy gets dragged out of a window and eaten.
Moogie (Email address withheld) writes:
I just found this film so hard to show an interest in. The chirpy one liners annoyed the hell out of me and the story was pretty weak too. I hate irony. I liked the sheep dog, because sheepdogs are NICE!, no clicky comments ..thanks.
Moogie (Email address withheld) writes:
..continued
"Top fun. I think the best gag line in the flim hasn't really been mentioned by a lot of people in reviews that I've read... and that was the Matrix-tribute "There is no spoon..." - hilarious."
Really think I must have been asleep at this point, please, what is so blinging funny about it. There's no spoon, well it's hardly Hancock is it?
Simon (Email address withheld) writes:
What a great set of reviews - and they're nearly all spot on; this is one great movie! Interesting that around one person in a hundred thinks it's crap - perhaps that says more about them than the movie!
jacob morten (fireblade_cbr_1000@hotmail.com) writes:
its an imense film, however whatever you here about a sequel its not true, the sequel i heard a bout is where cooper and sam the dog walk from the cottage and find american troops who also were supposed to be involved in the war games with captain ryan and his squad, and it goes on to tell that the americans get attacked by the werewoves> ITS A LIE! at the end of the film, you see on the newspaper that coopers platoon was eaten by "KILLER WEREWOLVES"!
Sam who is not a dog thank you. (Email address withheld) writes:
What film were you watching!
I have this film on DVD and had to watch it three times just to understand the point and I still don't get what's so balooking good about it, I guess so little good filmmaking comes out of Britain that when it does you've just gotta love it. Personally, I think that it's a rubbish film and so do all my friends, brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts and evil step sisters.
Dave (Email address withheld) writes:
RE: Sam
I think you should all be burned. The film was a classic, the plot was nice and simple and the humour was dark and witty.
Characterisation was first class and the direction was top-notch.
What's more, the film is more than watchable, I've seen it 20 times and I still can't fault anything apart from the budget.
The atmosphere built was terrific and the film owes a lot to superb direction.
What the hell have you got to complaing about... LOONEY!
Hamid Mirzaei (hamidmirzaei58@yahoo.com) writes:
I think the characters within the novel are of the kind of dreary and lost.In fact they have nothing to cling to,the search for a way out is summarised in their attempt to resort to norcotics.But surely it leads them nowhere....
Tim Sparling (Email address withheld) writes:
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant !!
Havent enjoyed a flick as much as this in a long, long time. If you havent yet seen it then why not?
fsticks (Email address withheld) writes:
A very nice little film, realistic (well as realistic as a film about werewolves can be), gritty and nice to see british actors. The humour and gore go together pretty well.
Had it's faults, of course, thought some of the exposition by the zoologist lady was a bit clunky, but there are enough good things to offset this.
That the sequel features a bunch of american sodiers is very depressing. Some of my favorite films are all-american flics, but there's a time and a place for them, and this ain't it. ffs, how would they like it if a Vietnam flic had a bunch of British squaddies suddenly pitching up to save the yanks and kick some Vietcong ass?
The Director Neil Marshall had to sell the rights to the US in order to get the first film made. His sequel idea (where Cooper and the hitch-hiker are sent to a lunatic asylum for the hitch-hiker to become a were-wolf and terrorise the asylum) wasn't american enough, but sounds a dismembered head and shoulders above the offering we will end up with.
Ryan Digiacomo (Email address withheld) writes:
Good gory fun I love sam the dog and the werewolves perfect werewolf movie
R.D.'s rating on dog soldiers is
10 out of 10!
cannot wiat for the sequel.
Deah Turcotte (Deahturcotte@msn.com) writes:
Dog soldiers is awsome and this is comeing from a thirteen year old! I love it! exspecially when cooper survives. He is my favorite person in
the movie because he is the bravest of them all! You have got to make a number two with Kevin Mc Kidd in it! Because this movie is really good! I love Cooper! Can not wait for the sequel!
Sarah (Life_Is_Peachy_05@hotmail.com) writes:
OH MY GOD!!!! dog soldiers is the greatest movie ever. Spoon should ov lived he's awsome and sarge it's my all time fave film ... i cant grt enough ov it!!
simon fry,yes really.. (saint276@hotmail.com) writes:
well it started really well,say the first 20 mins soldiers on excercise.then when the action started i was very disappointed in the special effects.i know it didnt havent a hollywood budget but it looked tame.liked the sean pertwee stomach shot though.
anyway just my opinion, rent it and decide for yourself....simon fry
lou (loopey_lou123@hotmail.co.uk) writes:
Wintherspoon (Spooney) Rocks my Socks! He was brilliant - Shame he got killed - "Come on y'beauties" haha - He was amazing - so was the sergant haha Even if he was torn in two :P
Shane (Email address withheld) writes:
I found this movie only on DVD, unfortunately, a couple years ago. I'm a Yank, from Texas no less, and I've got to say that this is by far the very best Werewolf movie I have ever seen. I LOVED the fact that they didn't use that Hollywood CRAP CGI that never looks real! The costuming/makeup was spectacular! That's how werewolves should look! The atmosphere and directing were brilliant! I may be biased, since I usually prefer "foreign" movies with their character driven plots to our Hollywood drivel, and the fact I've been overseas and still watch all the British shows through a source who sends me DVD's, but still.
BEST WEREWOLF MOVIE EVER! The accents weren't hard to follow at all and I speak with a Texas accent! My best friend of 20 years is terrified of werewolves, but she can watch any of the crap werewolf movies cause they are so unbelievable. Only two she's never been able to handle without nightmares is "Company of Wolves" (for different reasons) and now "Dog Soldiers". I introduced her 18 year old to the movie and he and I watch it over and over! Can't WAIT for the sequel(s) hopefully plural!
I've been obsessed with werewolves since I was 5 and passed out watching "The Wolfman" when he changed, (Dad really whipped my older brother for letting me see that!) This one is THE werewolf movie by which all others shall forever be judged, surpassing even American Werewolf in London (which is very dated and wasn't all that, just the best of it's time. Saw it in the theater as a young teen).
Mike Churchy (Email address withheld) writes:
Dog Soldiers is brilliant.
Sean Pertwee as usual is fantastic, loved him in Blue Juice and this role was made for him, very funny, very realistic acted (as Sarge) and the rest of the cast were outstanding too.
I think the more you watch it the more you spot things you missed the last time around.
Fave bit for me is the "FETCH !!" bit !
and the final headline in the closing credits "Werewolves ate my platoon" followed by England 5 Germany 1.
Fan bloody tastic... Died ? I nearly shat..
:)
becky (becky6789@Hotmail.com) writes:
dog soldiers is by far the best dvd iv seen latley. i woz a bit upset wen spoon died (cried accualy). i loved the lads especaly spoon, cooper and sargent wells.
those who havent seen it yet i would defienatly recomend it.m 5stars an 2 thump up.
;)
Add your comments about Dog Soldiers [About]
