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The Wolf Man (1941)

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94

Average Rating: 7.7/10
Reviews Counted: 31
Fresh: 29 | Rotten: 2

A handsomely told tale with an affecting performance from Lon Chaney, Jr., The Wolf Man remains one of the classics of the Universal horror stable.

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 3
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 1

A handsomely told tale with an affecting performance from Lon Chaney, Jr., The Wolf Man remains one of the classics of the Universal horror stable.

audience

78

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Average Rating: 3.7/5
User Ratings: 8,762

My Rating

Movie Info

"Even a man who is pure at heart/And says his prayers by night/May become a wolf when the wolf-bane blooms/And the moon is full and bright." Upon first hearing these words, Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney) dismisses them as childish folderol. After all, this is the 20th Century; how can a human being turn into a werewolf? Talbot soon learns how when he attempts to rescue Jenny Williams (Fay Helm) from a nocturnal attack by a wolf. Collapsing, Talbot discovers upon reviving that Jenny is dead-and, lying

Unrated, 1 hr. 10 min.

Horror, Classics, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Curt Siodmak

Aug 28, 2001

Universal Pictures

Cast

All Critics (31) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (2) | DVD (14)

The Wolf Man is a compactly-knit tale of its kind, with good direction and performances by an above par assemblage of players, but dubious entertainment.

October 8, 2008 Full Review Source: Variety | Comments (2)
Variety
Top Critic IconTop Critic

A stodgy Universal thriller from 1941, redeemed by a name-heavy cast and by Lon Chaney Jr.'s lumbering, affable performance in the title role.

October 8, 2008 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Without any build-up either by the scriptwriter or director, he is sent onstage, where he, looks a lot less terrifying and not nearly as funny as Mr. Disney's big, bad wolf.

August 8, 2006 Full Review Source: New York Times | Comments (2)
New York Times
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Even with a canon that includes the definitive versions of (among others) Frankenstein, Dracula and The Phantom of the Opera, this 1941 classic has always remained my favorite of the studio's prolific output.

February 15, 2010 Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | Comment
Creative Loafing

Most horrifying is the potential inability to sway our own innately darker tendencies.

February 13, 2010 Full Review Source: Projection Booth | Comment
Projection Booth

Chaney may appear to have had a bad run-in with a hair dryer, but he's still the definitive villain as tragic hero.

February 10, 2010 Full Review Source: LarsenOnFilm | Comment
LarsenOnFilm

Lumbering Lon Chaney Jr.'s tortured portrayal of the good man cursed to turn into a savage killer every full moon turned Universal's second werewolf film into a classic...

February 7, 2010 Full Review Source: MSN.com | Comment
MSN.com

A film of sometimes uncertain greatness that is nonetheless the most entertaining and effective Universal monster movie since Bride of Frankenstein.

October 26, 2009 Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | Comment
Antagony & Ecstasy

The Wolf Man's tantamount pleasures are its economy and speed, its silvery manipulations of light and shadow, and the panache with which the lighting, the story, and the rich cast navigate [its] tone.

March 10, 2009 Full Review Source: Nick's Flick Picks | Comment
Nick's Flick Picks

A feast of horror, for animals of all kinds.

October 8, 2008 Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | Comment
TV Guide's Movie Guide

A classic despite its flaws.

September 16, 2008 Full Review Source: ESplatter | Comment
ESplatter

In spite of its age, the emotional impact, and sheer terror hasn't lost its punch with great performances, and a tragic ending.

July 16, 2007 Comment
Film Threat

It's a good, solid film, held together by Chaney's appealing performance and great supporting players like Lugosi as Bela the gypsy who turns into a wolf.

August 14, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

There's undeniable magic within the staid format.

January 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

Charming & fun 40's monster schlock.

September 21, 2005 Comment
eCinemaCenter.com

It's not as boring as Dracula, but not nearly as inventive as, say, Bride of Frankenstein.

April 15, 2005 Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | Comment

The key to getting some good, fun chills out of a silly old movie like The Wolf Man is atmosphere: Watch after midnight. Turn off the lights. Light a few candles. Don't let your feet dangle off the edge of the couch or bed.

January 7, 2004 Full Review Source: Flick Filosopher | Comment
Flick Filosopher

A wonderfully campy horror film that made a star of Lon Chaney Jr. Despite its hokiness, it stills holds up.

January 7, 2004 Comment
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Wolf Man

Waggner's original Wolf Man is a tragic and emotional story enhanced with it's effective performances and it's wrenching suspense. The most original and most influential werewolf film of all time deservedly remains a remarkable spectacle of film making. This is the film that influenced the 2010 remake. Which I thought

December 29, 2011
Michael M.
Michael Miller

Super Reviewer

The early years of horror, which gave us radio programs featuring The Shadow, The Sealed Book, and Black Museum, were ones that relied heavily on the supernatural. Many tales before that of the crypt, we were greeted with the star studded spectacle that is The Wolf Man, starring Lon Chaney Jr. Lon Chaney is a hulk,

October 18, 2010
FrizzDrop

Super Reviewer

    1. Maleva: Even a man who is pure of heart, and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms, and the autumn moon is bright.
    – Submitted by 3guys 1 (4 months ago)

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Latest News for The Wolf Man

March 20, 2008:
Get an Eyeful of Benicio del Toro as The Wolfman!
Joe Johnston's remake of The Wolfman won't be arriving in theaters until next year, but why wait...

February 8, 2008:
Weekly Ketchup: Joe Johnston takes on The Wolf Man, and Rob Zombie may take on Conan
This week's Ketchup features the return of Greg Dean Schmitz to the world of movie development news....

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