MOON OF THE WOLF
US, 1972, 74 minutes, Colour.
David Janssen, Barbara Rush, Bradford Dillman.
Directed by Daniel Petrie.
Moon of the Wolf is a basic werewolf story, set in Louisiana. By subsequent standards it looks particularly tame. However, it has the usual ingredients: victims, police searching, the predictable person who becomes a werewolf, his death. The film has a good cast - but lacks the special effects that we have come to expect from werewolf films. The film makes comment about decaying Southern gentry - this time producing werewolves. Direction is by Daniel Petrie, a veteran of many films and telemovies.
1. An enjoyable mild horror telemovie? Horror for television audiences?
2. The atmosphere of Louisiana, the small town, the gentry of the state and their mansion? The effects for the werewolf horror? Musical score?
3. The title, expectations of a werewolf film? With a United States setting? The traditions of werewolves? The full moon, the savage side of human experience manifesting itself? The werewolf as victim? As killer? The blend of the human and the animal? How well treated and explored in this film?
4. Andrew and his place in the state, the family tradition, wealth and arrogance, attitudes towards Louise? The revelation that he was the werewolf? His victims? The confrontation with Aaron, with Louise, arranging his own death?
5. Aaron as sheriff, the initial killings, a routine murder investigation, questioning of suspects? The townspeople getting out of hand? His friendship with Louise? The discussions with the doctor? The final confrontation?
6. Louise, her escaping her background, her living in New York, her brother bringing her back, his strict moral attitudes and cover-up? Her attraction towards Aaron? The confrontation with Andrew and killing him?
7. Laurence and the death of his sister, his anger, his being arrested, victim? The household and his father with the talk about werewolves? The French background, the atmosphere of Louisiana and the South? The presence of blacks?
8. The doctor and his relationship with the victim, her death? Treating Laurence? Confrontation with Andrew?
9. The sketch of the townspeople, their reaction to the killings, the vigilante and posse mentality? The confrontation with the werewolf?
10. Popular horror entertainment? The themes underlying werewolf horror stories? about human nature and savagery?
