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The Howling (1981)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
10 April 1981 (USA)
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Tagline:
Imagine your worst fear a reality
Plot:
After a bizarre and near fatal encounter with a serial killer, a newswoman is sent to a rehabilitation center whose inhabitants may not be what they seem. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Serial Killer
|
Werewolf
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Colony
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Woods
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Psychiatrist
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Awards:
2 wins
&
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(75 articles)
Howling Remake Coming?
(From Icons of Fright. 23 November 2009, 10:39 AM, PST)
The Howling is Reborn
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 23 November 2009, 10:25 AM, PST)
(From Icons of Fright. 23 November 2009, 10:39 AM, PST)
The Howling is Reborn
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 23 November 2009, 10:25 AM, PST)
User Comments:
AAAHHHOOOO... werewolves of California.
more (161 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Dee Wallace | ... | Karen White | |
| Patrick Macnee | ... | Dr. George Waggner | |
| Dennis Dugan | ... | Chris | |
| Christopher Stone | ... | R. William 'Bill' Neill | |
| Belinda Balaski | ... | Terry Fisher | |
| Kevin McCarthy | ... | Fred Francis | |
| John Carradine | ... | Erle Kenton | |
| Slim Pickens | ... | Sam Newfield | |
| Elisabeth Brooks | ... | Marsha Quist | |
| Robert Picardo | ... | Eddie Quist | |
| Margie Impert | ... | Donna | |
| Noble Willingham | ... | Charlie Barton | |
| James Murtaugh | ... | Jerry Warren | |
| Jim McKrell | ... | Lew Landers | |
| Kenneth Tobey | ... | Older Cop |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
91 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:13+ (Quebec) |
Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) |
Argentina:18 |
Finland:K-18 (uncut) (2004) |
Finland:K-18 (cut) (1981) |
Iceland:16 |
Australia:M |
New Zealand:R16 |
UK:(Banned) (Special Edition DVD) |
New Zealand:(Banned) (Special Edition DVD) |
UK:R (Special Edition DVD) |
France:-12 |
Singapore:M18 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:18 |
USA:R |
West Germany:16 |
Norway:18 (video premiere) (1984) |
Norway:(Banned) (1981-2003) (cinema release)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Originally Rick Baker was doing the special effects for the film, but he left the production to do An American Werewolf in London (1981). Baker left the effects job for this film in the hands of assistant Rob Bottin. Both this film and "An American Werewolf in London" were released the same year and both received praise for their makeup work.
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Goofs:
Continuity: Werewolf Eddie needed to press the Play and Record button at the same time to record Terry's attack. But only the Play button was pressed down.
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Quotes:
[first lines]
Dr. George Waggner: Repression. Repression is the father of neurosis, of self-hatred. Now, stress results when we fight against our impulses. We've all heard people talk about animal magnetism, the natural man. the noble savage, as if we'd lost something valuable in our long evolution into civilized human beings. Now there's a good reason for this.
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Dr. George Waggner: Repression. Repression is the father of neurosis, of self-hatred. Now, stress results when we fight against our impulses. We've all heard people talk about animal magnetism, the natural man. the noble savage, as if we'd lost something valuable in our long evolution into civilized human beings. Now there's a good reason for this.
more
Movie Connections:
Featured in Making a Monster Movie: Inside 'The Howling' (1981) (TV)
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FAQ
Is there are longer version available of The Howling?more
more (161 total)
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Terrific modern werewolf film from director Joe Dante remains one of his best movies.
News Anchor has a terrifying encounter with a lunatic murderer, then decides to seek rest in an isolated colony of weird characters. It's about to become a hairy situation!
Writer John Sayles (who does a humorous cameo as a morgue attendant) makes The Howling a clever and deeply spooky picture with some nicely tongue-in-cheek humor. The story references lots of old-school horror movies, notice how many of the characters in this movie are named after directors of old werewolf films. Dante lends some well-crafted direction, giving the movie a truly haunting atmosphere. He builds some great suspense and the occasional good shock. The art direction by Robert Burns is also quite good, making for some creepy settings. Rob Bottin's makeup FX are impressive and frightening. Pino Donaggio's music score is splendidly dramatic.
Dee Wallace Stone does a strong performance as the film's troubled heroine. Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Belinda Balaski, and Christoper Stone are also good in their supporting roles. Elisabeth Brooks and Robert Picardo make for some truly scary villains.
Along with Landis's great American Werewolf in London, which ironically came out the same year as this film, The Howling ranks as one of the very best modern werewolf movies!
**** out of ****