Reign of the Gargoyles (2007)

During World War 2 a group of brave US Airmen are downed in Nazi controlled Europe, after their aircraft is attacked by Nazi-controlled mythological Gargoyles.

Director:

Ayton Davis

Writer:

Chase Parker

Stars:

Joe Penny, Wes Ramsey, Sean Mahon

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Penny	...	Gus
Wes Ramsey	...	Will
Sean Mahon	...	Deacon
Julia Rose	...	Sophie
Billy Lush	...	Chick
John Ashton	...	Commander Latham
Brad Beyer	...	Porter
Miroslav Emilov	...	Nash
Boris Pankin	...	Lieutenant Eyepatch
Stoyan Mladenov	...	Finn
Johnathan Sparcino	...	Sobczek
Ruscen Vidinliev	...	Van Horn (as Rushi Vidinliev)
Julian Vergov	...	Schrieber
Evgeni Gospodinov	...	Lt. Mueller
Bryan O'Duffy	...	Col. Sears

Storyline

One of Himmler's grim Nazi relic hunting teams managed to unleash, but not control, a demonic force in castle mountain caves in occupied continental Europe. It breathes life into gargoyles, which terrorize not only the area but also passing allied bombers. Operating from Kent, first an RAF squad and then a USAF squad sent to rescue them suffer heavy losses. Crash survivors combine, advised by local resistance and legend, in a desperate fight against the hell-breed, with rebellious ace pilot Will in the ultimate star part.

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Plot Keywords:

dreary | nazi | gargoyle | fight | fire | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 March 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

A sötét szárnyak birodalma

Filming Locations:

Bulgaria

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sci Fi Pictures, Concrete Productions, Unified Film Organization (UFO)

Technical Specs

Color:

Color Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

For most of the flashbacks, footage from another Sci-Fi Channel film "Dragon Storm" was used. The film was tinted sepia.

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Goofs

(at around 1h 15 mins) In the scene on the bridge with the mortar, as the German fighter strafes the soldiers, you can see that its propeller is not moving.

User Reviews

Nazis... forget the Nazis.

I guess it could've have been worse. The straight-to-TV presentation 'Rein of the Gargoyles' mildly entertains, but artificially dodgy CGI effects and pompous dialogues really do shoot it down. Bad computer visuals are one thing, but that script had me giggling and groaning at the same time. Too many random inspirational speeches, than explanations about the topic at hand or that of the Nazi's involvement in the occult had me wincing. The concept behind the film (An American airborne crew involved in WW2 in Eastern Europe find out that they have more to worry about than Nazis when they encounter Gargoyles, and join forces with resistance fighters to achieve the sacred spear that vanquished these gargoyles centuries ago) has something strong to go on, but alas it's given weak treatment and slaps in a stew of war clichés. Soon the mythological side is drowned out, and the interest begins to peter out. I can't knock its spirit though, and the locations and time period was well-shaped in presenting a dreary, war-torn backdrop. Performances fair up with no-one really standing out or overplaying it. However those accents (namely the Germans) were terrible, as if they were straining too hard. Joe Penny was dependably stalwart and Wes Ramsey is fine as the go-getter. No one really takes it entirely serious (even the script), but it doesn't fall away for any cheap laughs or a lighter tone of self-consciousness. The action is slight, and small. Sadly the gargoyles cop the brunt of it. Too little screen time, same for those Nazis who brought them to life. Sometimes the vigorous activity felt like something out of a video game, as the camera bobbed up and down. Moments do work, like atmospheric imagery in a graveyard. But really it's non-effective and flaky, despite its efforts. An okay time-waster… nothing more.