Horror

The Curse of the Werewolf

- HALF-MAN... HALF-WOLF... COMPELLED BY THE HIDEOUS CURSE OF HIS EVIL BIRTH TO DESTROY - EVEN THOSE WHO LOVED HIM!

A child conceived by a mute servant girl transforms from an innocent youth to a killer beast at night with uncontrollable urges.

Release Date : 1961-05-01

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Hammer Film Productions

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles :

Cast

Character Name : Leon Corledo

Original Name : Oliver Reed

Gender : Male

Character Name : Don Alfredo Corledo

Original Name : Clifford Evans

Gender : Male

Character Name : The Mute Servant

Original Name : Yvonne Romain

Gender : Female

Character Name : Teresa

Original Name : Hira Talfrey

Gender : Female

Character Name : Cristina Fernando

Original Name : Catherine Feller

Gender : Female

Character Name : The Marques Siniestro

Original Name : Anthony Dawson

Gender : Male

Character Name : The Marquesa

Original Name : Josephine Llewellyn

Gender : Female

Character Name : The Beggar

Original Name : Richard Wordsworth

Gender : Male

Character Name : Young Leon

Original Name : Justin Walters

Gender : Male

Character Name : The Priest

Original Name : John Gabriel

Gender : Male

Character Name : Pepe Valiente

Original Name : Warren Mitchell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rosa Valiente

Original Name : Anne Blake

Gender : Female

Character Name : Dominique

Original Name : George Woodbridge

Gender : Male

Character Name : Old Soak

Original Name : Michael Ripper

Gender : Male

Character Name : Don Fernando

Original Name : Ewen Solon

Gender : Male

Character Name : Don Enrique

Original Name : Peter Sallis

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jose

Original Name : Martin Matthews

Gender : Male

Character Name : Rico Gomez

Original Name : David Conville

Gender : Male

Character Name : Gaoler

Original Name : Denis Shaw

Gender : Male

Character Name : Chef

Original Name : Charles Lamb

Gender : Male

Character Name : Senora Zumara

Original Name : Serafina Di Leo

Gender : Female

Character Name : Vera

Original Name : Sheila Brennan

Gender : Female

Character Name : Isabel

Original Name : Joy Webster

Gender : Female

Character Name : Yvonne

Original Name : Renny Lister

Gender : Female

Character Name : The Mute as a Young Girl (uncredited)

Original Name : Loraine Carvana

Gender : Female

Character Name : 1st Footman (uncredited)

Original Name : Desmond Llewelyn

Gender : Male

Character Name : 1st Customer (uncredited)

Original Name : Rodney Burke

Gender : Male

Reviews

Wuchak

@Wuchak

2021-06-23

***Conceived by rape and born on Christmas results in…*** In mid-1700’s Spain a mute servant lass (Yvonne Romain) is raped by a mad beggar and her child is born on Christmas day, which is considered blasphemy by the local religious folk. As an adult, Leon (Oliver Reed) leaves his adoptive parents to work at a nearby winery and develops a relationship with the owner’s highborn daughter (Catherine Feller). Unfortunately, an animal spirit seeks to dominate his soul as he struggles to suppress the beast within. The only werewolf flick made by Hammer, “The Curse of the Werewolf” (1961) was based on the novel “The Werewolf of Paris” by Guy Endore, but the location of the story was switched from France to Spain because there was a Spanish set available after a film about the Spanish Inquisition was scrapped due to opposition from the Catholic League of Decency. It’s interesting that Oliver Reed doesn’t even appear until the movie is past half over with only 45 minutes remaining (not counting his eyes in the opening credits). Reed had that gripping Brando-like brooding magnetism and his mounting anguish is displayed well. We realize Leon’s innocent, but in the grip of some kind of curse unjustly thrust upon him. The movie is unassuming and has the confidence to take its time with the entire first half being a set-up, which some modern viewers find boring and extraneous. But watch closely and there are several gems to be gleaned. For instance, Leon’s name is the reverse of Noel and it is love that keeps the fiend within at bay, whether paternal love or romantic love. The pure affection of Cristina is the only answer to soothe the savage beast, but she’s kept from him. The fools. The setting of 18th century Spain makes for a nice change of pace in a Hammer flick; and the look of the iconic creature itself was unique at the time and very effective, partially due to Reed’s brawny appearance and heavy charm. The film runs 1 hour, 33 minutes and was shot in England (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Surrey). GRADE: B

JPV852

@JPV852

2021-06-23

Some respectable prosthetic effects and fine work by Oliver Reed and Catherine Feller, but kind of plods along at times. but ultimately found it to be entertaining, especially the finale. **3.5/5**