Brotherhood of the Wolf Movie Download

7 / 10

A powerful, ambitious production
This modern French epic is a strange, definitely unique amalgamation of a number of different genres: set during the French Revolution, the storyline starts off as a classic horror yarn, with peasant girls being hunted down by an unseen beast (presumably a werewolf); then things move into a mystery-thriller with plenty of conspiracy and dark shadows; finally the film reveals itself to be an action-adventure, incorporating some very visceral and exciting elements of the classic revenge story into its design. There are also plenty of moments of drama and not a little romance thrown into the mixture. The result? Well, sometimes its muddled, sometimes it doesn’t feel right and sometimes the whole thing gets a little bit silly, but for the most part this is an enthralling, thrilling film with a fresh feel and an unpredictable narrative. It’s also one of the most surprising and entertaining films I’ve seen in a long time, lacking the predictability of most modern movies, sequels or otherwise.

Director Christopher Gans is obviously an accomplished technician, taking care to deliver a film with a distinctive visual style. The colour palette is exaggerated yet beautiful in equal parts; for the best example, check the splendid red costumes of the French aristocracy in comparison to the subdued, dull gloom of the haunted woodlands. Atmosphere and suspense are strong throughout, and definite care is taken with the sound editing, whether it be the ceaseless patter of the driving rainfall or the heaving atmosphere of a noisy brothel. The horror or ‘attack’ sequences are artfully played out, coyly refusing to reveal the identity of the creature; but when at last it is shown, the special effects do not disappoint. Gans uses some graphic violence and bloodshed sparingly, adding to the impact, so although this is not a bloodbath, it is sometimes a fairly strong film in that respect.

Unfortunately by necessity I watched the dubbed version of this film. It has to be said that the dubbing (by one or two English actors, seemingly) is fairly awful, reducing the effect, so the subtitled version is the one to go for if possible. The acting, as far as can be told, is strong, especially with Samuel Le Bihan’s charismatic lead. A whole host of familiar French actors fill out the supporting parts, from Vincent Cassel’s almost caricaturish turn as the one-armed de Morangais to Monica Bellucci as an alluring French prostitute. The only non-European actor is B-movie martial arts specialist Mark Dacascos, who undoubtedly gives us his best performance yet as the honourable Native American companion, Mani. Dacascos also takes centre place in the numerous martial arts sequences in this film, delivering a wide array of powerful kicks and bone-breaking punches. Gans goes a little overboard with the slow-motion in the fight sequences, but they can be genuinely electrifying, and get better and better as the film progresses until some moments literally drip with death-dealing power.

BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF: a strange film, yes, with a myriad mixing of genres which can be a little confusing, or unrealistic in places. Yet the overall impression is one of a powerful, ambitious production, created with infinite care and technical skill; I recommend it to one and all, just to see the kind of cinema the French are capable of when they feel like it.Read More