|
 The Brotherhood of the Wolf (15) - "Le Pacte des Loups"
Set in 18th centaury, it is an epic mix of French Nior, Hammar Horror and Costume Drama.
THE PLOT: Based on the legend of La Bête du Gévaudan was a real wolf-like monster that prowled the Auvergne and South Dordogne areas of France during the years 1764 to 1767. Horribly mutilated bodies are being discovered and The King sends, Gregoire de Fronsac (part zoologist, part big game hunter) to investigate stories of a monstrous beast. Arriving with his blood brother and colleague Mani, a Mohawk Indian, they first face trails of acceptance by combat. It becomes quickly apparent that there is more wrong with the locals than just wolf attacks. Action in the form of political plots, sexual intrigue, with subplots galore and the hunt for the beast itself quickly engross you in this nail biting ride.
YOUR RATING:
Action: A real innovator for its game style fight scenes featuring Mark Dacascos who got his big break replacing the late great son of Bruce, Brandon Lee, in The Crow (TV series). The fight scenes are as far from Plastic CGI as you can get. It is ALL REAL LIVE ACTION, fast paced and with some surprising weapons.
Coture: the costumes are absolutely lush. No expense has been spared - especially on Monica Bellucci's wardrobe. Set in the French Georgian era, the variety of type of costume is extensive with the costume designer Dominique Borg passion for ultimate accuracy. Check the masks in the brothel and the Frontier Women's fighting outfits. This is the ultimate combination of leather and lace.
STYLE: Make no mistake - this is French film at its finest! Glossy, perfectly framed from moment to moment whether it's Madame Sylvia in not much more than a feathered mask, Mani finding the frozen half mutilated corpse in a tunnel of ice to the perfect leg sweep of de Fronsac in the graveyard with the autumn leaves falling over the battle. LUSH! The French invented cinema - and this film was made to show Hollywood the meaning of amateur. Stylistically, a jaw dropper!!!
EYE CANDY:
The Women: Monica Bellucci (Persophone - Matrix Reloaded) plays the mystical Madame Sylvia part prostitute and part sorceress - who truly puts the twist and turns and our hero. Look out for the nightmarish brothel dream sequences.
The Men: Can we say FIT? Mark Dacascos, Samuel Le Bihan and bad boy Vincent Cassel not only kick major arse in this movie but being French - they dress as if it is an Olympic sport. We loved Mark Dacascos 's historically accurate Native American body tattoos.
LANGUAGE: Originally filmed in French with alternative version available in English voice over. See the French version. The English dubbing is pretty awful, but useful to use as a comprehension tool.
Read about the legend
Go to the movie site
|
