Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22006 in DVD
• Released on: 2002-09-23
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Dubbed, PAL
• Original language: French, German, Italian
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 133 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
If you crave an over-the-top historical kung fu-fantasy epic with a good dose of voluptuous nudity, bravura machismo, and passions so intense they verge on ridiculous, then Brotherhood of the Wolf is for you. Based (loosely) on an 18th-century legend, this French film follows a hunky scientist (Samuel Le Bihan) and his Iroquois sidekick/spiritual partner (Mark Dacascos) as they pursue a monstrous wolf ravaging the French countryside. Along the way Le Bihan gets entwined with a beautiful noblewoman (Emilie Dequenne) and a gorgeous prostitute (Monica Belluci) with secrets to tell. The plot grows more and more incomprehensible, but the mix of torrid emotions, outrageous action sequences, and lurid titillation is really what the movie is about. Ignore the highbrow philosophising and confused political intrigue; just enjoy the sensual images.--Bret Fetzer

On the DVD: Brotherhood of the Wolf is a film which revels in excess, yet the extra features on the disc are surprisingly sparse. The DVD boasts a programme on the legend of the Beast of the Gevaudan, as well as the original theatrical trailer, which was obviously geared towards an American audience--all action, no (French) dialogue. Unfortunately, though the DVD gives the viewer the option of watching the film in French (with English subtitles) or dubbed in English, only the dubbed version has Dolby 5.1 sound. Viewers who want to watch this film in its original language are forced to settle for 2.0. --Rob Burrow

Special Features
English
French
Region 2
Dolby Digital 5.1 English French
Dolby Digital 5.1
English

Synopsis
BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF is a wild mix of martial arts, horror, and French period drama. Gregoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan), a charming naturalist and libertine, arrives in Gevaudan with his companion, Mani (Mark Dacascos), a taciturn Mohawk Iroquois Indian with amazing fighting skills. Fronsac has been sent by the king to investigate a mysterious beast that is slaughtering women and children across the countryside. The local gentry include the friendly Marquis Thomas D'Apcher (Jeremie Renier), Jean-Francois de Morangias (Vincent Cassel), a one-armed adventurer with a suspicious nature, and his beautiful sister, Marianne (Emilie Dequenne of ROSETTA). Though Fronsac is immediately attracted to Marianne, he still finds time to visit Sylvia (Monica Bellucci), a mysterious prostitute with a penchant for sharp objects. Fronsac and Mani quickly realize that the killer is not a wolf, but something bigger and far more deadly. As they attempt to track the beast, they encounter unexpected resistance from the locals, and find themselves in grave danger. BROTHERHOOD, a huge hit in France, is a uniquely entertaining film, featuring stunning fight scenes, suspense, and campy high drama. Director Christophe Gans captures it all with a visual panache few Hollywood directors can match.

Customer Reviews

A beautiful horror kung fu action period film from France
Wow, they certainly tossed just about everything into the pot in making this one, including the French Revolution. "Le Pacte des Loups" starts off as a exquisitely photographed costume drama/horror flick set in 18th century France with a poor peasant girl being hunted down by an unseen beast. My first thought that this was a beautiful film, more reminiscent of a Jane Austen period piece than a horror flick from Hammer Studio. But then our hero, Grégoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and his faithful Indian companion, Mani (Mark Dacasos), show up and we suddenly discover the film is also a cross between "The Last of the Mohicans" and "Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." However, since this is movie based on a legend regarding a huge wolf ravaging the French countryside, this hardly seems the time to insist upon a standard of realism.

The collaboration between director Christophe Gans and cinematographer Dan Laustsen results in some beautiful and memorable camera shots (most notably, as the camera tracks up a woman's nude body it morphs into snow covered terrain), often playing with time and movement to great effect. In the deleted scenes Gans provides a sort of mini-commentary on the film that is quite interesting in terms of setting up the film's dynamic, especially regarding the opening sequence originally conceived for the film and the scene that replace it. Laustsen is the cinematographer on upcoming "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," and my assumption is that when I see that film I will have a better sense of who contributed the most to "Brotherhood of the Wolf."

The film was edited Xavier Loutreuil and Sébastien Prangère, with David Wu doing the Hong Kong kung fu fight sequences, which are impresive because they do not, for the most part, violate the realism of the time, which is a way of saying the wire work is extremely limited and understated. I also like the way Fronsac's love triangle is color coded: Marianne de Morangias (Émilie Dequenne) is a redhead often dressed in a red uniform while the raven haired Sylvia (Monica Bellucci) always wears black. The rouge/noir opposition works well in contrast to the blues, browns and yellows which serve as the palatte for most of the film.

My only real complaint is actually the traditional complaint one has after watching a Hammer horror film: the beast, when we finally get to see it, is something of a disappointment. However, I will allow that this is probably due as much to my heightened expectations given the quality level of the rest of the film more than to the limitations of CIG technology. The second time I watched the film this aspects was less bothersome to me, but still something of a disappointment. An action/horror/fantasy/thriller/romance like "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is not going to be embraced by everyone, but certainly fans of those genres will admire the ambition of this film, the most beautiful of its type we have ever seen.

Alone? With friends? Watch it now!
This is a very refreshing film. Understated. Cool. Slick. Intelligent. Deceptive.

I picked up a copy off the DVD shelf and though I'm not keen on the horror genre anymore I was intrigued enough to buy it, and I'm glad I did.

I was concerned about what the quality the dubbing might be like, but it's not even noticeable, first class production value.

As for the movie, it's more like a genuine storytellers yarn, it unfolds before your eyes and you find yourself caught up in the weave. (forgive the metaphor). But this film effortlessly keeps your attention and whilst some parts are guessable the surprises are well hidden and worth waiting for.

The acting is slick, the action exciting, the story is (shockingly) believeable, and the twists have to be seen! I won't give details of the plot, for that would rob some it's defining qualities. The other reviewers have said what needs to be said...

..but if Holywood blockbusters could attain the same high standards of performance and presentation that this film offers, movie-watching would again become an exhilierating experience.

Highly recommended.

Very silly, but lots of fun
If you like your historical dramas rich in costume, sets & martial arts (?!), then this is the film for you!

Set in 1764, it centres on the investigations of two men (Gregoire de Fronsac & his kung-fu Mohawk pal - no, really) into the appearence of a mysterious savage beast, which hunts down women & children mercilessly in the Gevaudan region of France.

Cut through the martial arts bizarritude, & you have a rather decent film which supplies all the necessary: action; intrigue; love interest; guns; wolves; exploding pumpkins; prostitutes & lots of peasants thrashing about in mud.

The actors are well cast & include the wonderful Vincent Cassel as a disturbingly incestuous bad guy. The soundtrack is a voluptuous mix of bagpipes, accordians, & 'Gladiator' style atonal wailings. Blend these with cartoon style incidental sound effects (Kerrrunnch! Kablammnn!), a darkened room & a good sound system & you're in for an eerie time. (Watch it with subtitles to complete the experience.)

As a whole, this tale is a rich masterpiece which contains a more than a grain of truth at it's heart. If you can suspend your disbelief for 2 hours 17 minutes (plus the historical docmentary) you shouldn't be disappointed.