Wolfen

Plot synopsis:
Former NYPD Captain Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) is brought back to the force and assigned to solve a bizarre string of violent murders after high-profile magnate Christopher Van der Veer (Max M. Brown), his wife (Anne Marie Pohtamo), and his bodyguard are slain in Battery Park. Executive Security, Van der Veer's client, prefers to blame the murders on terrorists; but knowing that the victim's bodyguard was a 300-pound Haitian with voodoo ties makes Wilson skeptical. At the crime scene, Wilson meets with Warren (Dick O'Neill), his superior. With pressure to solve the case coming down from both the Police Commissioner and the Mayor, Warren partners Wilson with criminal psychologist Rebecca Neff (Diane Venora).
A homeless man goes exploring an abandoned church in Charlotte Street, South Bronx, which was going to be demolished by Van der Veer along with the rest of the ruined buildings in the area, to be able to build apartment complexes. He is suddenly attacked and torn to pieces by an unseen monstrous being. Wilson and Neff arrive to investigate his murder. While investigating the abandoned church, sounds of crying lure Neff up the bell tower. Wilson follows her but does not hear the crying; once Neff is separated from him, he hears a wolf howl. He goes up after Neff and drags her forcibly to safety. Later, during the night, a bridge worker is apparently murdered by the same creature.
Coroner Whittington (Gregory Hines) discovers non-human hairs on several mutilation victims and consults zoologist Ferguson (Tom Noonan). Ferguson immediately identifies the hairs as belonging to Canis lupus and explains that there are 40 subspecies and that these particular hairs do not belong to any of them. Ferguson foreshadows his death when he asks incredulously, "What are you two trying to pin on The Big Bad [wolf]?" He compares wolves to Indians, giving Wilson his first real inspiration.
Wilson finds Eddie Holt (Edward James Olmos), a militant Native activist he arrested some years ago for killing a conservative Indian or "apple," working in construction. While Wilson interrogates Holt on top of the Manhattan Bridge, Holt claims he's a shapeshifter, which implicates him as the killer and he even goes so far as to threaten Wilson with carefully constructed dialogue. Feeling that the conversation is circumstantial and potentially dangerous, Wilson opts to let him alone and tail him later that night on his own terms. Following animal clues, Ferguson goes to Central Park, where the killer ambushes and kills him in a tunnel. Oblivious, Wilson spends the remainder of his night with Neff where they make love. The following morning, a man in a jogging suit rides Ferguson's motorcycle right past Wilson as he leaves Rebecca's apartment. The man crashes, illustrating that he stole the motorcycle.
Back at the station, Whittington is the second person to foreshadow his own death when he says, "If violence comes, I'm ready. I'm a dead shot, and a karate expert". He and Wilson stakeout The Bronx church, armed with sniper rifles and sound equipment; after he almost blows his ears out by opening a beer can near a parabolic microphone, an animal who appears to be a wolf ambushes and kills him. Executive Security apprehends a "Götterdämmerung" terrorist cell in connection with the Van der Veer slaying.
A traumatized Wilson escapes the church and finds himself at the nearby Wigwam Bar, where Eddie Holt and his friends are drinking. The group of Natives reveal the true nature of the killer as "Wolfen", the wolf spirit. They explain to Wilson that the Wolfen have extraordinary abilities and that they "might be gods". Eddie tells Wilson that he cannot fight the Wolfen, stating: "You don't have the eyes of the hunter, you have the eyes of the dead". The leader of the group, the Old Indian (Dehl Berti), informs Wilson that Wolfen kill to protect their hunting ground. Wilson resolves to end his involvement in the Van der Veer case but he, Neff and Warren, are cornered in Wall Street by the Wolfen pack. Warren tries to fight his way out but he is killed when a pack member severs his hand and decapitates him in his car. Wilson and Neff flee and blow up Warren's car with a pack member in it.
When he and Neff are cornered in Van der Veer's penthouse by the Wolfen pack led by its White alpha male, Wilson smashes the model of the construction project that threatened their hunting ground, to communicate to them that the threat no longer exists and that he and Neff are not enemies. The Wolfen consent and just as the police barge in, vanish. Wilson claims the attack was made by terrorists. The story ends on the assumption that Götterdämmerung takes the fall for the murder series. Wilson's voice is heard explaining that Wolfen will continue to prey on weak and isolated members of the human herd as humans do to each other by class conflict. Wolfen will continue to be invisible to humanity because of their nature; not that of spirits but predators, who are higher on the food chain than humans.

Tags: suspenseful, psychological, gothic, murder, violence

Review:
As in the book, the Wolfen are both terrifying and yet somehow noble, and you respect the antagonism between them and the human characters (played very well by Albert Finney and co.), and while the ending is somewhat anticlimactic as opposed to its book counterpart, I was still quite pleased with the film as a whole.
The introduction of the Native American element into the movie's version of the story made sense and was enjoyable (though E.J. Olmos's nudity was a little much), and I should also mention that the shots of New York were atmospheric and gorgeous as well, and when combined with the werewolf element, make a truly one-of-a-kind horror film.
Diane Venora is adequate as Rebecca Neff, Wilson's co-worker and love interest, but Gregory Hines is excellent as the forensics expert, and Tom Noonan brightens his few scenes as a wolf enthusiast.Based on a novel by Whitley Strieber, Wadleigh, who also co-wrote the script with David Eyre, alludes to the killers' identity, but wisely keeps them off screen throughout most of the film.
A great thriller with horror overtones that's a different kind of werewolf film than any other (certainly at the time of release).
Similar to thermography, the technique was later adopted by other horror films such as the "Predator" film series.Although considered a modern werewolf classic, Roger Ebert asserted Wolfen "is not about werewolves but is about the possibility that Indians and wolves can exchange souls." Well, yeah, that is true...
Tom Noonan in his pre-Manhunter existence gives the movie a touch of class as an animal lover who wants to study the "Wolfen." If you're expecting a comedic werewolf movie such as "The Howling" or "An American Werewolf in London" this film isn't for you.
I say this because one might have different expectancy after reading the synopsis and the tag lines.For me (a big horror and art movies fan) it was one of those rare films which didn't just deliver sensations (fear, edge of the seat experience, etc.), but also provides a clear and thoughtful message that stays with you after the credits roll.For those who like symbolism, mysticism, there is a lot to discover in this movie.Although there is no other resemblance, except the profound Eco message, i would put it together with "Emerald Forest"(Earth theme)and the more artsy "Embrace of the Serpent"(Civilization theme).For me, as an animal and nature lover, it had a similar impact, mostly because this was intertwined with the themes of the movies I've mentioned above.
Pulsating synthesisers and point-of-view audio-visual cinematography add a sophisticated dimension to this one of a kind movie, that benefits from an unusual cast who excel in their offbeat characterisations.Perfectly cast is future "Manhunter" (Red Dragon) Tom Noonan as the over-protective zoologist, dancer Gregory Hines as the hip coroner, and Edward James Olmos as the misplaced American Indian whose mystical incantations reveal the true identity of the killer.
In fact it's actually a very thoughtful, suspenseful and instinctive horror film based around a moral rather than trying to force feed you someone else's ideals.Wolfen sets about with the murder of a very wealthy architect businessman and his girlfriend in a New York City park.
He's assigned to the more gruesome cases and his closest friend and the closest thing to a partner he has is criminal pathologist Whittington, played by the late charmer Gregory Hines.Together they stumble upon several leads that begin to pose the question whether what is stalking the streets is a man who thinks he's a werewolf or something unquestionably supernatural, as the Native American Indians working on the skyscrapers want to have Wilson believe.There are a number of factors that work in Wolfen's favour and as I always pointed out, one large factor is that this film's visual effects were stolen some six years later by a certain director by the name of John McTiernan.
That film, where we saw from the killer's eyes as he stalked his prey was none other than Predator.This is a serial killer crime thriller with a huge twist and part of that twist is that the film is so well made that no matter how far fetched it may seem, you truly understand it and enjoy it.The old decayed and abandoned New York is the majority setting for Wolfen, which suits its style to the ground and provides some chilling moments, especially as Albert Finney portrays one of the most unhealthy and out of shape detectives ever devoted to lead character.
Wolfen  not wolves, like a terrifically spiritual Edward James Olmos explains it to us  is a truly inspired and solid horror film that belongs to the best genre-achievements of the 80's.
Finney and Edward James Olmos are the most impressive cast members, yet they receive good feedback from Tom Noonan (in one of his earliest roles), Gregory Hines (I don't believe I ever saw him in a horror film before) and Diane Verona.
The acting is absolutely phenomenal--I wish Finney and Hines worked together in other movies...the atmosphere in this film really conveys the desolation of the burned out slums, and there is a feeling of like, "Wow, what the hell ARE we doing with the earth." But it never got preachy and I think Finney portrayed the more subtle realizations brought forth by this great film.
Finney is good, as usual, and Gregory Hines, in his film debut shines as a hip coroner working with Finney to solve the murders.The leads, the story line, plus a good supporting cast including Diane Venora and Tom Noonan helps make 'Wolfen' a pretty interesting film..
I read Whitley Striber's novel THE WOLFEN in the early 1980s and though not being much of a horror fan was mildly impressed with it and found out a couple of years later that a movie version starring Albert Finney had been released and I tried to find the movie on video but with no luck and it was several years later until I saw WOLFEN when it was broadcast on channel 4 one night and I was disappointed with it Director Michael Wardleigh directed the classic Hippy concert movie WOODSTOCK and this adaptation has " Hippy anti corporate giant eco warrior " written all over it .
Strangely enough this might help WOLFEN become a sort of cult classic amongst anti globalisation protesters but for a mainstream audience who were expecting a horror film it's a turn off and what really spoils the movie is the ridiculous ending where we're told that it's all the fault of the human race and the Wolfen are really the good guys only protecting themselves from humanity .
Well, we've seen that a number of times on films in recent decades, being part of the PC culture.The unique cinematography, seeing as the wolf sees, with psychedelic-like negative images as he prowls the streets of New York City, is very cool.
*******SPOILERS******* Uneven horror story about super wolves, Wolfen, who take matters into their own hands, or is it paws, when their hunting grounds, the city slums, start to be encroached by big city developer Christopher VanDerVeer and cause havoc in NYC by doing in anyone who tries to disrupt their way of life."Wolfen" starts off promisingly with a pre-dawn attack by unseen, you don't see them but they see you, assailants in Battery Park on VanDerVeer, his wife and chauffeur, much like the beginning of the movie "Night of the Demon".
But as the movie goes on it soon begins to get more and more confusing and not making the point between the attackers or Wolfen and the American Indians whom they seem to have some kind of alliance with and disintegrates into just another whodunit type of murder mystery.
Director Michael Wadleigh throws a lot of red herrings at the audience as to what and why the Wolfen's are all about or if their really wolves at all or are really just disgruntled American Indians upset at how their being treated by the US government in regards to the destruction of their ancient and ancestral homelands."Wolfen" could have been a much better movie if it stuck to the supernatural angle of the Whitley Striber novel instead of trying to be both a crime and horror movie at the same time.
But it would have been much better if it were filmed in the wide open country-side of the American south-west where Indians and wolves lived in harmony for over a millennium instead of a big city like New York where both have really nothing in common.Albert Finney at times looked as confused about what he was supposed to be doing in the movie as was the movie audience who were watching him..
It's an horror that mostly lays its emphasis on its atmosphere.Even though the movie is from the early '80's but is still that feels and moves like an '70's movie, which is a positive thing to note because of the great style and way of film-making that flourished in the '70's.
This of course also adds to the atmosphere of the movie.It shows a lot of scenes from the 'wolves' point-of-view, kind of "Predator" like style.
(Of course this changes more and more when the movie heads toward the ending and its conclusion.) The only real horror and tension is now basically only in its atmosphere, which also suffice enough in this case by the way, since its all done so great.
Oh well, Horner just never has been really known for his originality and he copies his own work more than often, which doesn't take away that his scores are often highly effective for his movies.The movie with Albert Finney, Edward James Olmos and Gregory Hines, among others, features quite some big popular names in it.
Still, I thought it was far and away better than most of the so-called horror films released during the same period.As for the original book is concerned, my best friend and I were both disappointed in Streiber's novel, which we thought was grossly inferior to the movie and filled with errors in logic you just couldn't ignore or explain away.
I am surprised that more people don't talk about this film as it is pretty good but it seems to have escaped major attention due to the Howling and An American Werewolf in London which were released around the same time frame.
This horror/thriller has striking cinematography and sound, fine direction, and a good script, and very good Special Effects.A series of seemingly unrelated murders are being committed in New York City, from the penthouses of the super-rich, to the bombed out appearing South Bronx.
The cast members are not only shown to be technically competent, but also are portrayed to be not at all averse to doses of macabre humor and shop-talk sarcasm along their deductive path.It is the skills of our acting crew, from Mr. Finney to Greg Hines to Diane Venora to Tom Noonan to James Olmos (Mr, Shape-Shift) to Dick O'Neill and others on a less frequent basis, that make this off-beat film an unusually interesting piece of fiction to watch.
Certainly Different than Your average Horror Movie, Michael Wadleigh's Only other Film other than Woodstock (1969), is a Treat of Offbeat Gore and POV Madness.It's Ambitions Fall Short on the Environmental and Mystical Stuff at times but the way it gets there is nonetheless Chillingly Captured.
The Movie may Try too Hard to Show a Number of Different Angles on the Horror of the Story...Native American Shape-Shifting, The Encroachment of Civilization on the Natural World, and Human and Urban Decay.A Fine Film that is a Different Entry in the Genre and until the Rushed and Confusing Ending it Captivates and Entertains as a Sharp and Artsy Thriller.
When all is said and done, most of the people in the film were extremely good actors and the direction was spot on.Bottom line: not a standard horror movie in any way.
It is a question of survival, not good or evil.When Tom Noonan, who works at the zoo, is viewing the murder of wolves, we see man's inhumanity to animals; the fact that the wolfed act as they do makes perfect sense.The POV of the wolf, especially as seen in the South Bronx, is cold and calculating.
While this is not a werewolf movie, or even conventional horror, it is an interesting theme which is worth viewing, and the creature Albert Finney sees on the steps of the abandoned building is rather frightening.
It also has some terrific cinematography, check out those great p.o.v. attack sequences.The cast isn't bad - Albert Finney, Diane Venora, and Edward James Olmos are stand outs.So all around, Wolfen isn't what horror fans would expect, but those seeking a mysterious oddity might find it a great film.** 1/2 out of ****.
With the focus on the investigation taking place for the majority of the film, we get very little screen-time for the creatures who are barely glimpsed even when they do appear since the body-count is depressing and disappointingly low for such a werewolf movie since it's finally nearly ninety-minutes into this one before they even appear which leaves this one feeling like quite a drag.
Wolfen stars Albert Finney, with the most scariest looking mullet in screen history he plays a pudgy cop who is investigating a series of bizarre deaths in the Battery Park area of New York City.
Wolfen is a pack of ancient creatures similar yet more powerful than that of wolves.Wolfen was filmed & released around the same time as The Howling (1980) & An American Werewolf In London (1981).
Needless to say, people who have ADHD won't like "Wolfen." WHAT WORKS: Despite the sluggishness, the film definitely has a lot of mood, a memorable score, a serious and realistic vibe, good acting, excellent New York locations (especially the condemned slum areas) and Class A cinematography to warrant one's respect, particularly the many creature point-of-view shots that "Predator" later ripped-off.Regardless of all these good aspects, the film would have failed if there was no pay-off to the mounting mystery.
"Wolfen" is based on the Whitley Striber novel.A police detective(Albert Finney)is investigating a series of brutal murders in New York City that point toward a wolf-like killer,or possibly a whole pack of them.Director Michael Wadleigh uses the horror movie backdrop as a venue for commentary on class,environmentalism,industrialization and Native American reality and myths.The mystery surrounding bloodthirsty creatures is excellent and there are some truly intense and bloody scenes of hunting.The use of a polarization effect and a steadicam to represent the wolves' POV is stunningly eerie.The film is loaded with the atmosphere of urban decay and the score by James Horner is particularly memorable.Give this highly sophisticated horror film a look.8 out of 10..
This draws him into the underground world of the Wolfen, where he learns to understand and sympathise with their motives.Film plays more like a third-rate detective story instead of a horror, with Finney an annoying bland caricature of the Dirty Harry type of cop.
The Wolfen themselves are portrayed as real wolves which only serves to reduce the horror element even further - the gore effects in the killings are also poor, particularly a laughable decapitation scene.The film is interesting because of its strong environmental message and criticism of modern man and our new civilisation   (the film could easily be read as highlighting the plight of the North American Indian and has similarities in theme to some Westerns).
Albert Finney stars as a New York city cop who, while investigating a series of brutal murders that look like the work of a wolf pack, comes to discover that it may be supernatural in origin, something he has a hard time accepting...Albert Finney was a strange choice to play the detective, but then again, this is a strange film!
From director Michael Wadleigh (Woodstock) and author Whitney Striber, (whose personal alien abduction story will probably age better than his books), comes Wolfen; a nifty little creature feature, which at first glance seems like nothing special, but it is perhaps a bit more distinctive than all or any of its hairy or toothy contemporaries.
This movie has good things--it's well-directed; Gregory Hines attacks his role and has fun with it; Edward James Olmos has a surprising nude scene and there is some very good special effects showing how the wolves see things.
That's what surly police detective Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) has to figure out, with the help of such people as political terrorism expert Rebecca Neff (Diane Venora), coroner Whittington (Gregory Hines), and animal expert Ferguson (Tom Noonan).Director Michael Wadleigh certainly made a highly interesting debut in terms of making a film with a narrative, having previously done the landmark Woodstock documentary.
What I will argue is how the craftsmanship that went into this film far exceeds the multitudes of celluloid treats that have been shot in the last decade.Director Michael Wadleigh truly understood how to embrace the two sensory communicators that movies deliver to an audience, that of sight and sound, and wove a tapestry of motifs that help elevate a mere "super-wolves-preying-on-humans-in-NY" tale into something that "feels" like it's so much more.So many contemporary directors of popular features, notably those who churn out horror flicks, frame scenes and trim shots down to movements and moments that simply, and I mean, VERY simply, propel the plot points.
Got a Little Hokey at End. This is a throwback 80's horror film with Albert Finney, Gregory Hines, and Edward James Olmos.
Everything else worked for me in that film, even though the characters turned into dogs.But, be that as it may, this movie was interesting and the continuous shots of the traveling "wolfen" were well-shot.New York City's getting face-lifts and this isn't faring with a wolf-pack group and they're attacking back.