The Pack (1977)

Director:

Robert Clouse

Writers:

Robert Clouse (writer)
David Fisher (novel)

Release Date:

16 May 1978 (Sweden)

Genre:

Horror

Tagline:

Last summer they were pets. Now they are predators.

Plot:

The residents of vacation spot Seal Island find themselves terrorized by a pack of dogs -- the remnants of discarded pets by visiting vacationers.

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Resort | Island | Pack Of Dogs | Marine Biologist

Cast

Joe Don Baker	...	Jerry
Hope Alexander-Willis	...	Millie
Richard B. Shull	...	Hardiman
R.G. Armstrong	...	Cobb
Ned Wertimer	...	Walker
Bibi Besch	...	Marge
Delos V. Smith Jr.	...	McMinnimee
Richard O'Brien	...	Jim Dodge
Sherry Miles	...	Lois
Paul Willson	...	Tommy Dodge
Eric Knight	...	Guy
Steve Lytle	...	Paul
Rob Narke	...	Husband
Peggy Price	...	Wife
Steve Butts	...	Bobby

Also Known As:

The Long Hard Night
The Long, Dark Night

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:PG (original rating) | USA:R (re-rating) (1978) | Australia:M | Sweden:15 | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Bodega Bay, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dead End (1985)

Decent little flick...but a pack of niggles spoil it

I'd really like to have given The Pack a higher rating, but unfortunately; too many little niggles prevented me from doing so. There have been a few films depicting "man's best friend" attacking man, but in general the idea doesn't seem to be capitalised upon too often. The Pack is certainly the only film I've seen about a pack of wild dogs terrorising a group of humans. The film takes place on a small island, which is a positive element in itself as it brings an element of claustrophobia to the nightmare premise. However, in general; Robert Clouse's film just doesn't capitalise on its positive elements, which leaves it all feeling more than a little bit flat. The plot centres on a group of people on Seal Island, whose serene existence is interrupted by a pack of wild dogs. The dogs have come about, apparently, thanks to people going to the pound to buy a dog to take to the island, and then leaving it there. These dogs are, naturally, very hungry; and it's not long before they realise that the island features a plentiful food supply, and unfortunately for the people there - they are it.

The film is at its best when the dogs are on the attack and the director delights in showing them looking rabid and hungry...but unfortunately, they never really look too threatening when they're not tearing into soft-top cars or breaking through windows. Much of the film is really quite boring, and unfortunately there isn't enough in reserve where the characters are concerned to make the film interesting. Veteran actor Joe Don Baker takes the lead role, and does well in providing the offbeat hero as the man doesn't particularly look like someone who you would expect to be fighting off a pack of hungry dogs. The plot hinges a little too much on its set-pieces also, which is unfortunate as there's not much to string them together. It has to be said also that the film is a little too long, and could have done with a tighter editing job. The island location provides a good setting for a film like this, though, and the way that the characters are isolated adds a little extra terror. The ending is strong, and provides a good wrap-up to a sadly merely worthwhile film.