The Howling
1980
Severely shaken after a near-fatal encounter with a serial killer, TV newscaster Karen White (Dee Wallace-Stone) takes some much-needed time off. Hoping to conquer her inner demons, she heads for the 'Colony', a secluded retreat where her new neighbors are just a tad too eager to make her feel at home. Also, there seems to be a .. Read more
| Starring | Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone |
|---|---|
| Director | Joe Dante |
| Genres | Horror |
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The Howling
Severely shaken after a near-fatal encounter with a serial killer, TV newscaster Karen White (Dee Wallace-Stone) takes some much-needed time off. Hoping to conquer her inner demons, she heads for the 'Colony', a secluded retreat where her new neighbors are just a tad too eager to make her feel at home. Also, there seems to be a bizarre link between her would-be attacker and this supposedly safe haven. And when, after nights of being tormented by savage shrieks and unearthly cries, Karen ventures into the forest to find answers, she makes a terrifying discovery. Now she must fight not only for her life but for her very soul!
| Starring | Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens, Elisabeth Brooks |
|---|---|
| Director | Joe Dante |
| Studio | MOMENTUM PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 27 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Horror |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: 18 Oct 2004 Production year: 1980 |
| Format | DVD |
The Howling (1980)
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Critics' reviews (6)
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Co-writer John Sayles and director Joe Dante have huge fun turning werewolf clichés on their head in this rare beast — a horror film that gore fans and film buffs can enjoy. For the former, there is Rob Bottin's amazing make-up and a witty plot in which a sceptical TV journalist (Dee Wallace) uncovers a werewolf colony that's trying — unsuccessfully — to tame its animal instincts. And, for the latter, Dante touches his cap to monster greats of the past by naming key characters after cult horror directors such as Terry (Terence) Fisher and Fred (Freddie) Francis, and finding cameos for the likes of Kevin McCarthy, Dick Miller and Roger Corman.
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Though it works well enough as a werewolf thriller (not, admittedly, a genre packed with masterpieces), Dante's film -... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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16 out of 16 people found this review helpful
not worth it
is anyone else sick to death of never getting new releases delivered? i've not had one dvd delivered that was released this year. it's a good job i also like old films and have a big list but ALL new titles are in my priority list and i NEVER get any. sort it out Tesco or i'll be cancelling.
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Pretty good fun
Originally released in British cinemas around the same time as ‘An American Werewolf in London’, ‘The Howling’ has since suffered from endless comparisons with that movie, which to be fair isn’t fair (if you see what I mean).
Sure they both have transformation scenes, but that’s about where the comparison ends. Landis’ movie had a good script and groovy London locations, whereas Dante’s film is full of in-jokes for the fans, cameos from various near celebrities (including Forrest J Ackerman, editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland), lots of walking around in the woods, and, like its comparator film, quite a cop out ending.
The transformation scenes are good if a little drawn out to show off all those dazzling state of the 80s animatronics. Pretty good fun but dated in a way that ‘American Werewolf’ managed to avoid. I know which one I’d rather see again. -
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The Howling
Severely shaken after a near-fatal encounter with a serial killer, TV newscaster Karen White (Dee Wallace-Stone) takes some much-needed time off. Hoping to conquer her inner demons, she heads for the 'Colony', a secluded retreat where her new neighbors are just a tad too eager to make her feel at ...
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