A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.
Director:
Michael Wadleigh
From metacritic.com
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Title: Wolfen (1981)
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2 wins & 4 nominations.
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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 | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
See All (106) »
Storyline
A city cop is assigned to solve a bizarre set of violent murders where it appears that the victims were killed by animals. In his pursuit he learns of an Indian legend about wolf spirits. Written by K. Rose <rcs@texas.net>
Plot Keywords:
shape shifter | wolf hunt | native american man | manhattan new york city | metamorphosis |Taglines:
Silent, unseen, the creatures live among us... and hunt. See more »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
24 July 1981 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Wolfen See more »Filming Locations:
Kaufman Astoria Studios - 3412 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$17,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend USA:
$3,037,911, 26 July 1981Gross USA:
$10,626,725Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$10,626,725Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
Edit
Rebecca Neff: I didn't know he was back. I thought he retired, disabled, mental...?
Warren: He had a lot of family problems, he started to drink a little too much, police work... piled up on him. He's a good man, you'll like him.
Rebecca Neff: Okay, fine.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Composer Craig Safan wrote an original score for this film and was replaced at the last minute by future Academy Award winner James Horner, who had only 12 days to write and record his score. See more »Goofs
Moments before the first murder, the killers stalk their victim (using the "night vision" effect) and pass behind a parked car, revealing the reflection of a bright sunny day in the rear hood of the car when it is supposedly taking place at night. See more »Quotes
Warren: I'm going to team you up with Dewey Wilson on this Christopher VanderVeer thing.Rebecca Neff: I didn't know he was back. I thought he retired, disabled, mental...?
Warren: He had a lot of family problems, he started to drink a little too much, police work... piled up on him. He's a good man, you'll like him.
Rebecca Neff: Okay, fine.
See more »
Alternate Versions
ABC edited 19 minutes from this film for its 1985 network television premiere. See more »Contribute to This Page
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Wolfen not wolves, like a terrifically spiritual Edward James Olmos explains it to us is a truly inspired and solid horror film that belongs to the best genre-achievements of the 80's. Terrifically set in the pauperized wastelands of New York, where an ancient terror unconquerably reigns. Only when someone of political importance vanishes in these suburbs, attention is drawn and an investigation is started. Albert Finney is well cast as the confused police officer who slowly has to face the fact that the murders in his district are committed by inhumanly strong forces, more and more resembling to animal attacks. The script of Wolfen (based on Whitley Strieber's novel) is a compelling one and it's filled with original and imaginative ideas containing spiritual motivations and even historical elements. A basic script like that, accompanied by a stunning photography and convincing acting can only result in a terrific, overlooked horror classic. Two thumbs up for this film! Director Wadleigh even satisfied the more mainstream horror fans as his film includes a couple of bloody killing sequences and a constant frightening tone. Finney and Edward James Olmos are the most impressive cast members, yet they receive good feedback from Tom Noonan (in one of his earliest roles), Gregory Hines (I don't believe I ever saw him in a horror film before) and Diane Verona. Fans of action-packed werewolf film may face a disappointment when purchasing this film, but all other open-minded cinema audiences are in for a really pleasant surprise. Wolfen is highly recommended and thought-provoking entertainment!