Wolfen (1981)

A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.

Director:

Michael Wadleigh

Writers:

Whitley Strieber (based on the novel by), David Eyre (screen story),

Stars:

Albert Finney, Diane Venora, Edward James Olmos

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Albert Finney	...	Dewey Wilson
Diane Venora	...	Rebecca Neff
Edward James Olmos	...	Eddie Holt
Gregory Hines	...	Whittington
Tom Noonan	...	Ferguson
Dick O'Neill	...	Warren
Dehl Berti	...	Old Indian
Peter Michael Goetz	...	Ross
Sam Gray	...	Mayor
Ralph Bell	...	Commissioner
Max M. Brown	...	Christopher van der Veer
Anne Marie Pohtamo	...	Pauline van der Veer
Sarah Felder	...	Cicely Rensselaer
Reginald VelJohnson	...	Morgue Attendant (as Reginald Vel Johnson)
James Tolkan	...	Baldy

Storyline

A city cop is assigned to solve a bizarre set of violent murders where it appears that the victoms were killed by animals. In his pursuit he learns of an Indian legend about wolf spirits.

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Plot Keywords:

death | murder | wolf | american indian | slum | 

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Taglines:

There is no defense.

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

A farkas

Filming Locations:

Charlotte Street, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orion Pictures Corporation, King-Hitzig Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (MegaSound encoding) (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Prior to the start of filming it was Albert Finney's idea that he and Gregory Hines hang out together to develop a camaraderie as their characters would show in the film.

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Goofs

During the night-vision scope/surveillance sequence with Dewey and Whittington, the scopes change angles and gain/lose sections from shot to shot.

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Quotes

Ferguson: What are you two trying to pin on the big bad?
Dewey Wilson: A murder case.
Ferguson: What? A hitman in a furcoat.

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Connections

Referenced in Supernatural: All Dogs Go to Heaven (2010)

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Soundtracks

"Jitterbug Boy"
Written by Tom Waits
Performed by Tom Waits

User Reviews

Wolves on the loose

Wolfen(1981) Satisfying, surreal horror flick about unknown super wolves that are terrorizing the streets of New York City. Albert Finney,(in desperate need of a haircut) is the troubled, alcoholic police captain who has been assigned to find out why people are showing up dead at an alarming rate. The best part of this movie is the ingenious cinematography work by Gerry Fisher and the movie is directed by Michael Wadleigh( Woodstock). Finney is good, as usual, and Gregory Hines, in his film debut shines as a hip coroner working with Finney to solve the murders.The leads, the story line, plus a good supporting cast including Diane Venora and Tom Noonan helps make 'Wolfen' a pretty interesting film.