A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 5 nominations
Reginald VelJohnson
- Morgue Attendant
- (as Reginald Vel Johnson)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaComposer Craig Safan wrote an original score for this film and was replaced at the last minute by future Academy Award winner James Horner, who had only 12 days to write and record his score.
- GoofsMoments before the first murder, the killers stalk their victim (using the "night vision" effect) and pass behind a parked car, revealing the reflection of a bright sunny day in the rear hood of the car when it is supposedly taking place at night.
- Quotes
Edddie Holt: It's not wolves, it's Wolfen. For 20,000 years Wilson- ten times your fucking Christian era- the 'skins and wolves, the great hunting nations, lived together, nature in balance. Then the slaughter came.
- Alternate versionsA cameo (about 15 seconds) by Tom Waits as a bar owner playing the piano and singing his song "Jitterbug Boy" was included in theatrical prints and early TV versions, but had to be removed from the film for video and DVD releases due to copyright reasons.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Trailer Trauma 3: 80s Horrorthon (2017)
Featured review
Unusual film that takes a very different path from the traditional werewolf movie. Low budget in feel, which is good, this starts incredibly well with horror, gore and bewilderment. The use of the negative image when we see through the eyes of the wolves is great, its less plastic than ordinary SFX and far more realistic than CGI, its also cheap (I've used it myself!) but the best thing about it is that it is literally an inversion of reality, which is just what you want here. Finney is fine but maybe should have been encouraged to put a little more effort in. As for his co-star, Diane Venora, in her first film, her lack of presence is worrying. I guess first time director (apart from Woodstock work) Michael Wadleigh was not used to getting the best out of his actors and indeed never made another film. Not to take away from this little gem though, not perfect by any means but different enough and occasionally startling enough to make at least one viewing essential.
- christopher-underwood
- Jun 22, 2015
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Details
Box office
- Budget
- $17,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,626,725
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,037,911
- Jul 26, 1981
- Gross worldwide
- $10,626,725
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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