The Curse of the Werewolf
Release date: 1961-05-01
Votes: 175
Genres: Horror
A child conceived by a mute servant girl transforms from an innocent youth to a killer beast at night with uncontrollable urges.
Reviews
Wuchak
***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
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**
Movie Recommendation
The Plague of the Zombies1966-01-12Sir James Forbes arrives in a remote Cornish village to identify a mysterious plague afflicting the population. He discovers that one of the squires is a disciple of Haitian witchcraft and using dark magic to resurrect the dead. As the plan to create undead servants unravels, the squire unleashes his zombie army on the unsuspecting village.More...
The Kiss of the Vampire1963-09-11Honeymooning in Bavaria, a young couple becomes stranded and is forced to stay the night in the area. Doctor Ravna, owner of the impressive chateau that sits imposingly above the village, invites them to dinner that evening. Their association with Ravna and his charming, beautiful family is to prove disastrous.More...
House of Dracula1945-12-07A scientist working on cures for rare afflictions, such as a bone softening agent made from molds to allow him to correct the spinal deformity of his nurse, finds the physical causes of lycanthropy in wolf-man Larry Talbot and of vampirism in Count Dracula, but himself becomes afflicted with homicidal madness while exchanging blood with Dracula.More...
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde1920-03-18A doctor's research into the roots of evil turns him into a hideous depraved fiend.More...
The Devil Rides Out1968-07-20The powers of good are pitted against the forces of evil as the Duc de Richelieu wrestles with the charming but deadly Satanist, Mocata, for the soul of his friend. Mocata has the knowledge and the power to summon the forces of darkness and, as the Duc de Richelieu and his friends remain within the protected pentacle, they are subjected to ever-increasing horror until thundering hooves herald the arrival of the Angel of Death.More...
Taste of Fear1961-04-19A wheelchair-bound young girl returns to her father's estate after ten years, and although she's told he's away, she keeps seeing his dead body on the estate.More...
The Phantom of the Opera1962-06-25A London opera house is haunted by tragic events on its opening night, but when its star is kidnapped, a producer tracks down the Phantom who is intent on seeking his revenge.More...
Line of Demarcation1966-05-25It is based on upon the memoir Mémoires d'un agent secret de la France libre et La Ligne de démarcation by Gilbert Renault under his pseudonym Colonel Rémy. A small village in the Jura is split by the river Loue which creates the line of demarcation between Nazi occupied France and freedom. A French officer, Pierre, is released by the Nazi soldiers to find his chateau converted into a German command centre. Whilst he is obliged to co-operate with the enemy, his wife Mary supports the resistance movement and is willing to risk her life for it. The Nazis step up their activity against the resistance, insisting that any who attempt to cross the line of demarcation will be shot. When his wife is arrested, Pierre decides to switch his allegiance.More...
Captain Clegg1962-06-13A captain and his sailors investigate the rampaging "Marsh Phantoms" terrorizing a coastal town, but their search is hindered by a local reverend and a horrifying curse.More...
Tomahawk1951-02-05In 1866, a new gold discovery and an inconclusive conference force the U.S. Army to build a road and fort in territory ceded by previous treaty to the Sioux...to the disgust of frontier scout Jim Bridger, whose Cheyenne wife led him to see the conflict from both sides. The powder-keg situation needs only a spark to bring war, and violent bigots like Lieut. Rob Dancy are all too likely to provide this. Meanwhile, Bridger's chance of preventing catastrophe is dimmed by equally wrenching personal conflicts. Unusually accurate historically.More...
M1951-03-01Remake of the 1931 Fritz Lang original. In the city, someone is murdering children. The Police search is so intense, it is disturbing the 'normal' criminals, and the local hoods decide to help find the murderer as quickly as possible.More...
Wanda Nevada1979-06-01In the American Southwest of the 1950s, middle-aged vagabond Beaudray Demerille survives as a cardsharp who moves from town to town. But his latest victory brings him unwanted spoils in the form of Wanda Nevada, a fiery 13-year-old. At first Beaudray does everything he can to ditch Wanda -- until the girl chances upon a treasure map. But Wanda and Beaudray aren't the only ones after the loot, and they must contend with a ruthless pair of crooks.More...
My Mom's a Werewolf1989-05-11The frustrated housewife Leslie visits an animal shop to purchase a flea-collar. Unknowing that the owner is a werewolf, she accepts his invitation to lunch and later in his apartment. Through a bite in her toe he starts her slow transformation in a werewolf. Home again, she desperately tries to hide the often disgusting process from her family, but her daughter Jennifer and her - from horror magazines well educated - friend recognize what's going on, and help to kill the non-human.More...
Loch Ness: They Created a Monster2023-11-11The hunters of the Scottish folklore creature camped out on the shores of the loch throughout the 1970s and 1980s, chasing but never finding the dinosaur-like creature.More...
Bay of Angels1963-03-01A bank clerk is drawn into the risky world of a gorgeous gambling addict.More...
The Three Musketeers1973-12-11In 17th century France, young D'Artagnan wants to join the King's Musketeers, but instead befriends three legendary musketeers—Athos, Porthos, and Aramis—and together, they become embroiled in the political intrigue surrounding King Louis XIII and his adversaries, particularly the powerful Cardinal Richelieu.More...
The Pit and the Pendulum1961-08-12In the sixteenth century, Francis Barnard travels to Spain to clarify the strange circumstances of his sister's death after she had married the son of a cruel Spanish Inquisitor.More...
The Brides of Dracula1960-06-15A young teacher on her way to a position in Transylvania helps a young man escape the shackles his mother has put on him. In so doing she innocently unleashes the horrors of the undead once again on the populace, including those at her school for ladies. Luckily for some, Dr. Van Helsing is already on his way.More...
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle1992-01-10A suburban family chooses seemingly sweet Peyton Flanders as their newborn's nanny. Only much later does the infant's mother, Claire Bartel, realize Peyton's true intentions -- to destroy Claire and replace her in the family. The nail-biting suspense builds quickly in this chilling psychological thriller about deception and bitter revenge.More...
Silent Night, Deadly Night1984-11-09After a man dressed as Santa Claus brutally murders his parents, little Billy Chapman then endures the cruelty of a sadistic nun at his orphanage. Years later, when adult Billy has to fill in for an absent in-store Santa, his childhood trauma brings him to the breaking point.More...
Similar Movies
Vampyr
1932-05-06Allan Gray, a young man fascinated by the supernatural, goes to a small village where he feels a sinister force descending upon him. There, Allan meets an old man who asks him to protect his two daughters, for one of them has been bitten by a vampire.The Fog
2005-10-14Trapped within an eerie mist, the residents of Antonio Bay have become the unwitting victims of a horrifying vengeance. One hundred years earlier, a ship carrying lepers was purposely lured onto the rocky coastline and sank, drowning all aboard. Now they're back – long-dead mariners who've waited a century for their revenge.Rosemary's Baby
1968-06-12A young couple, Rosemary and Guy, moves into an infamous New York apartment building, known by frightening legends and mysterious events, with the purpose of starting a family.The Omen
2006-06-06A diplomatic couple adopts the son of the devil without knowing it. A remake of the classic horror film of the same name from 1976.An American Werewolf ...
1981-08-21American tourists David and Jack are savagely attacked by an unidentified animal while hiking on the Yorkshire Moors. After retiring to the home of a beautiful nurse to recuperate, David soon begins experiencing disturbing changes to his body and mind.Videodrome
1983-02-04As the president of a trashy TV channel, Max Renn is desperate for new programming to attract viewers. When he happens upon "Videodrome," a TV show dedicated to gratuitous torture and punishment, Max sees a potential hit and broadcasts the show on his channel. However, after his girlfriend auditions for the show and never returns, Max investigates the truth behind Videodrome and discovers that the graphic violence may not be as fake as he thought.Bestial
2025-04-16As a Son becomes a man, his lycanthropic Father seeks to turn him into a werewolf, and his Mother wants the opposite. Following a violent argument over the dinner table, the Son runs away, setting in motion a bloody chain of events.Frankenstein
1910-03-18Frankenstein, a young medical student, trying to create the perfect human being, instead creates a misshapen monster. Made ill by what he has done, Frankenstein is comforted by his fiancée; but on his wedding night he is visited by the monster.The Golem: How He Cam...
1920-10-29In 16th-century Prague, a rabbi creates the Golem - a giant creature made of clay. Using sorcery, he brings the creature to life in order to protect the Jews of Prague from persecution.The Hands of Orlac
1924-09-24A world-famous pianist loses both hands in an accident. When new hands are grafted on, he is horrified to learn they once belonged to a murderer.The Lost World
1925-02-02The first film adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic novel about a land where prehistoric creatures still roam.Roar
1981-10-30Roar follows a family who are attacked by various African animals at the secluded home of their keeper.Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hy...
1931-12-24Dr. Henry Jekyll believes that there are two distinct sides to men - a good and an evil side. He believes that by separating the two, man can become liberated. He succeeds in his experiments with chemicals to accomplish this and transforms into Hyde to commit horrendous crimes. When he discontinues use of the drug, it is already too late.The Two Faces of Dr. ...
1960-10-24After a series of scientific experiments directed towards freeing the inner man and controlling human personalities, the kindly, generous Dr Henry Jekyll succeeds in freeing his own alter ego, Edward Hyde, a sadistic, evil creature whose pleasure is murder.Island of Lost Souls
1932-12-23An obsessed scientist conducts profane experiments in evolution, eventually establishing himself as the self-styled demigod to a race of mutated, half-human abominations.Frankenstein
1931-11-21Henry Frankenstein pieces together body parts in the hope of bringing a human-like creature to life. The mad scientist’s dreams are shattered by his monstrous creation awakening with rage to a world that hates and fears him.Mary Shelley's Franke...
1994-11-04Victor Frankenstein is a promising young doctor who, devastated by the death of his mother during childbirth, becomes obsessed with bringing the dead back to life. His experiments lead to the creation of a monster, which Frankenstein has put together with the remains of corpses. It's not long before Frankenstein regrets his actions.Flesh for Frankenstei...
1973-11-30Within the decadent walls of the Frankenstein mansion, the Baron and his depraved assistant Otto have discovered the means of creating new life. As the Baron's laboratory begins to fill up with stitched body parts, the Baroness dallies with the randy new manservant and soon the decadent, permissive household is consumed by an outrageous, bizarre and hilarious combination of death and dismemberment.The Fearless Vampire ...
1967-11-13A noted professor and his dim-witted apprentice fall prey to their inquiring vampires, while on the trail of the ominous damsel in distress.Freaks
1932-01-01A circus' beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.