November 3, 2002
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REVIEW: DVD: BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF (Le Pacte des Loups)
What is this movie? Is it a creepy horror film, chop sockey, a costume epic, or a romantic chick flick? It is all of the above and more. It is also an action/suspense black comedy, a mythic tragedy, and a blood-and-guts thriller. Director/screenwriter Christophe Gans bends and blends genre in this pretty movie.
The setting is France, 1765. The story is an old french folktale or legend.
The scenery of France ranges from spooky to breathtakingly beautiful. Post-production image manipulation gives lighting effects that Greyfox described as, “comfort food for the eyes.” It is all warm colors and soft contours until the spiky Beast appears on the scene.
The cast is mostly eye candy, a bunch of beautiful young people who also happen to be able to act. Production values are good to excellent, as well. On the production side, I had only one real complaint and two minor quibbles. The sound effects are over the top. Swords do not go *schwing* when withdrawn from a body, nor do they swish through the air so loudly.
The martial arts choreography is so good, and the actors look so good doing it, that it partially makes up for the absurdity of giving these oriental fighting skills to an eighteenth century Iroquois Indian. The only other thing that marred my enjoyment of the film were a few landscape long shots of forested horizon and uninteresting sky, where I was allowed enough time to realize that the cameras couldn’t pan without catching anachronistic buildings, power lines, etc.
I would probably watch this film again, except that I don’t want to see the brutal mass slaughter of wolves or the pathetic end of the unfortunate Beast. If the movie’s excellent writing, direction and acting hadn’t so thoroughly sucked me in, I’m sure I wouldn’t have been so profoundly affected, so I’m giving it four stars.
Comments (11)
I have never even heard of that movie but you wrote a great review of it..makes me want to see it just to compare
Belinda
I saw this movie in theatres when it came out on a whim–never regretted it. It was a beautiful, beautiful movie. The opening scene with the riders coming in out of the rain, the way the ground threw the drops back up…. Very fantastic. The dark whore was gorgeous, and I loved the mystery surrounding her character. Great movie.
I have never heard of it either. sounds intresting though, lol. hugs!
odd…my swords have always gone *schwing* when I’m removing them from a body.
and……..she’s caught up for the week and happy!
In your dreams, maybe, Lucky. In real life and death, it’s more like a *schwuck*.
“Schwuk” hehehe … maybe Lucky was talking about the mighty *other* sword, and not the sort with ink in it either. eheheheheheheHAH!
The movie sounds like a do.
Do ra Do ra … (slap me, hurry … I just ate a chocolate bar followed by sunflower seeds, I’m giddy)
Glad to see that they put your pics in Zanga Zine. uh … I TOLD ‘EM TOO! ~raises hand~
SEE! I have taste! And I know a good picture when I find one too!
Oh jeez, I’m so slow.
Never mind. ~FOFLMAO~
Wow, it sounds like a really good film! I wonder if it’s sub-titled? I actually am one of those strange ones that enjoy reading the sub-titles. After the movie is gone, I remember the dialogue in english.
I just read about the large earthquake in Alaska today. I hope that you didn’t receive an awful lot of that jolt!
Great review and exactly on!!! I saw the movie and you wrote a better review than the critics could have!! Maybe you otta look into that!!!
I liked the guy Mark Dacascos. He is SO handsome. He was the Crow on the t.v. series. I think he should play the Crow in the movies, he does such a great job!
gross! double gross! schwuck!? lmao!!!
Hm. I’ve been dying to see this, haven’t gotten to it yet. My bro just got the DVD so I reckon I’ll borrow it tonight and stay up late. What you say about the cinematography makes me think of “A Company of Wolves”, came out in the 80′s, also based on French loup garou tales, mixing a little of Lil’ Red Riding Hood in there as well. GORGEOUS cinematography, very dark, very sensual. I’d kill to find a copy on VHS or DVD… If you ever get a chance, watch it. As for a sword going “schwing”, well you should see my lord’s… oh. Ahem. Erm. Never mind.