The Brotherhood of the Wolf (2002)
Runtime: 2 hrs 24 mins
Theatrical Release: Jan 11, 2002 Limited
Box Office: $10,793,478
Synopsis:
Inspired by actual events taking place during the reign of King Louis XV, The Brotherhood of the Wolf revisits one of the rare French myths, that of the "Beast of Gevaudan" which killed a number of persons before being vanquished under mysterious circumstances.
For two years, the...
Inspired by actual events taking place during the reign of King Louis XV, The Brotherhood of the Wolf revisits one of the rare French myths, that of the "Beast of Gevaudan" which killed a number of persons before being vanquished under mysterious circumstances.
For two years, the monstrous Beast had been terrorizing the region of Gevaudan, attacking mostly women and children. It is said to be colossal size and dragon-like and often rumored of being the devil. All of France was shaken by these inexplicable killings.
Delegated by the Royal Court, Gregoire de Fronsac arrives in Gevaudan one autumn night. His mission is to find the Beast and to eventually destroy it during a hunt. Strong, spirited, and rational, the young noble horseman is accompanied by the taciturn Mani, a Mohawk Indian that he met in New France during the Seven Years War. The two are housed at the home of old Marquis D'Apcher's, whose grandson, Thomas, serves as their guide.
During a dinner given in his honor, Fronsac meets Mariane De Morangias along with her brother Jean-Francois, members of the most influential family in the region. A traveler as well, Jean-Francois lost an arm during a great African hunt.
While the Beast's attacks multiply as winter arrives, Fronsac is met with animosity from the more influential people of the region. His interest for Marianne increases, but his liaison with Sylvia, a beautiful but troubled prostitute, doesn't help matters. The King, unhappy with the lack of progress during the numerous hunts, dispatches his own lieutenant, Antoine de Beauterne, to the region. No sooner does he arrive to Gevaudan, than he captures a wolf, claiming falsely that he has killed the Beast. Under the order of the King, Fronsac is forced to participate in this pretense before being allowed to return to Paris.
Braving the King's mandate not to return to Gevaudan, the horseman decides to respond to Thomas D'Apcher plea to organize one last hunt. This time, Mani will head the hunt, using ancient Shaman techniques. Nothing will prepare then for what they discover. -- © 2001 Universal Pictures
Genre: Foreign Films
Starring: Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Monica Bellucci, Jérémie Rénier, Emilie Dequenne
Screenwriter: Stephane Cabel, Christophe Gans
Producer: Samuel Hadida, Richard Grandpierre
Composer: Joseph Lo Duca
DVD Info
Release:
Aug 26, 2008
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Snap Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English, French
- Subtitles - English (SDH), Spanish - Optional
- Disc 1: THE BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF
- Disc 2: Bonus Disc
Pre-order it on DVD
Reviews
The hero feels free to sleep with any prostitute, even as he's wooing the one he calls his 'true love.' Isn't there a conflict of interest there?
A 17th century French costume drama where everybody is Kung-fu fighting - with some highly watchable results!
A stylish, smart, edgy, exciting and involving trek though familiar folklore, often better than the masses have been told and even more appealing after repeat viewings.
The film has a wonderful style and a sense of movement that barely slows down for its two and a half hours.
Brotherhood of the Wolf supplies enough to satisfy many tastes without overwhelming them. It is one of the most sporadically inspired films of recent memory; and I would say, prematurely, of all time.
'Magnífica oportunidad para poder apreciar otro tipo de cine de acción que no provenga de Hollywood, donde la calidad está peleada con la taquilla y la maquinaria generadora de dólares.'
If The Brotherhood of the Wolf has a reason for being, it may be only to prove that the French can make movies as silly, blood-soaked and overblown as the Americans.
It's the best darned French werewolf kung-fu movie I've ever seen. That's not saying much.
Related Forums

by: REEL_REVIEWER 2/16/05
Pictures
News
posted by Scott Weinberg April 12, 2006
IGN FilmForce continues to dole out some great pre-release coverage for Silent Hill, the based-on-a-video game...
posted by Scott Weinberg February 07, 2006
We brought you a slick teaser the last time out, but there's a new trailer for Christophe Gans' "Silent...
posted by Scott Weinberg December 14, 2005
From the director of "Brotherhood of the Wolf" and the writer of "The Rules of Attraction," (two...
posted by Scott Weinberg April 25, 2005
Around the Network
The Brotherhood of the Wolf at IGN
The Brotherhood of the Wolf at AskMen


Top Critic
