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Summary: A horror classic receives digital bliss
Review: The Wolf Man is one of the true overlooked classics in Hollywood history. Actually, Larry Talbot may indeed (in 1942) be the prototypical Film Noir Hero. Here is a man who may very well be "pure in heart" who becomes cursed for no other reason than "just because".Lon Chaney, gives his greatest performance here. Of course he was no Boris Karloff (the finest actor ever sadly typcast in a limiting genre) and who indeed was? Chaney is thought utterly sincere, sympathetic and tragic. It is a fine example of what an marginally gifted actor can do provided a great script and expert direction. The fact that he successfully plays both the man and the beast is impressive in this day and age of CGI performance. Director George Waggoner displays a deft hand and creating atmosphere in his story telling. The cinematography (here brilliantly reproduced in a shimmeringly crisp DVD) uses the contrasts of light most effectively. White is white and black is black. Universal has done a great job not only restoring and transferring these classic films to DVD, but also in adding plenty of entertaining extra goodies for all of us classic monster film geeks. Enjoy and beware the full moon!
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Summary: The Werewolf Classic is Back!
Review: Universal is pulling out all the stops for their Classic Monster Collection. The Wolf Man is arguably the best of the series along with Dracula. Everyone knows the classic story of Larry Talbot, but this loaded DVD makes the experience even better. First off, this has one of the cleanest prints out of all the Classic Monster DVD's. The picture is so clear, it's amazing. There is also some nice extras, the best of which is an hour long documentary hosted by John Landis(An American Werewolf in London). There is also some nice Wolfman picture archive, a trailer, a very insightful feature-length commentary by film historian Tom Weaver, and a trailer. If you want to start watchin the classic monsters now, then The Wolf Man is the perfect place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: Another Universal Classic
Review: It wasnt until the last few years that i began watching these old horror Universal Classics and I have not been disapointed. Wolfman is truely an errily gothic movie. The makeup for Lon Chaney was really good for its day and he makes a believable character. Lugosi foretelling the future to the first victim I thought was really superb acting. The feeling of intensity as he tells her to run for her life after foreseeing her fate was incredible. Too bad Lugosi did not have a bigger part. Hard to belive this was panned by the critics upon release. This is truely an excellent movie with the sets, the lighting and the acting to most horror pictures. Again, another must for anyone interested in Universal classic horror!
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Summary: "The Wolf Man": Eerrie and Wonderful!
Review: This DVD takes me back to the days when true classic horror films were produced. "The Wolf Man" doesn't need grotesque violence to be scary; it accomplishes its eerie nature through seemingly simple scenes of mysterious horror. "The Wolf Man" is definitely one of the Universal classics of the 30s and 40s, and should take an honored place in the collection of horror fans. The DVD itself is wonderful in every respect. It includes an interesting documentary about the making and evolution of "The Wolf Man", as well as an excellent feature commentary, which is both interesting, funny, and informative. The film's transition to DVD was also done well, and it looks great on the computer monitor. A classic!
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Summary: The Road You Walked Was Thorny...
Review: Here we have one of the finest films ever made in any genre. It's easy to dismiss The Wolfman as standard horror fare, but that would be to ignore the enormous exploration of mental illness and its effects on the family so subtely explored. Afflicted with the werewolf curse, Chaney doubts his sanity while his father more-or-less dismisses his sons worries out of hand. Finally, when confronted with the truth of his son's sickness, the father destoys the son with his own hands. If that's not a brutally honest depiction of the fate of the mentally ill in so many families, I don't know what is. And to add that little bit of extra dimension, the character of Lawrence Talbot isn't exactly likable. First he uses his telescope to snoop into a young ladies bedroom, then he has the audacity to use the information he gathers to harass her in her own shop. It's played out like romantic interchange, but to me it's one the of the scariest things he does in this classic film.
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Summary: Not as good as many have claimed.
Review: The Wolf-Man actually has a plot which is very predictable from start to to finish. Larry Talbot (Lon Channey) returns to his father (Claude Reins) to claim the family estate. A wer-wolf bites him, Talbot kills it, but then finds that he transforms into a werewolf himself when the moon is full.He kills several people and then has a fateful final encounter with his father who just happens to carry a silver cane...well you get the idea. The movie is best when you see Talbot transform into the WolfMan, thanks to Jack Pierce's makeup, and Channey is good as the doomed Larry Talbot, but the movie is not as good as Frankenstein.
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Summary: One of Universal's Best Chaney finds his nitch
Review: This is the all time king of the werewolf movies. Far superior to anything done since especially those lame ass Howling movies. This movie ranks up thier with the Other great Universal horror movie Dracula, the Mummy, Frankenstein, the Invisable Man And the Creature from the Black Lagoon. proving that Universal is was and forever shall be the king of horror movies
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Summary: "The vay you valked vas thorny....."
Review: "The Wolf Man" is my absolute favorite Universal Monster movie. Let me get that out initially but please do not think I'm biased! Seriously, one of the BEST horror films--ever. Great cast, Lon Chaney Jr. in his greatest role as Larry Talbot, a.k.a, The "wolf man" himself, Claude Raines as his daddy, Evelyn Ankers as his would-be girlfriend, Bela Lugosi(!), and the amazing and wonderful Madame Ouspenskaya as the gypsy woman...The atmosphere rocks! It is the quintissential horror-phere that fans look for in the classics! The make-up of the title character by Jack Pierce is awesome and really holds up in the year 2000....Pierce was the man when it came to unmaking men and transforming them into monsters. So many pleasures I cannot possibly describe them all here. What are you doing here? Click on this wonderful *best of the Universal DVD's so far* We're talkin' (Commentary track (great one!), oodles of stills played over the oh-so famous score, a GREAT documentary on the making of the film...excellent purchase, kids) and buy it right here on Amazon! You will not be disappointed. This is a must-have in your horror library folks. This is the type of horror film that you only wish they made today: solid script, great acting, awesome make-up effects, and a story with actual heart. Wow.......pass the wolvesbane, Evelyn.
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Summary: OUSPENSKAYA
Review: When watching THE WOLF MAN it's just amazing to think that this movie is a mere 70 mins long. By comparison, PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE runs eight mins longer... and each is a classic, although not for the same reasons. THE WOLF MAN is a great movie. Well scripted, acted and performed all around, there isn't a moment when something is not happening on the screen... which is good, because there is no time to waste in this movie. UNIVERSAL has done their usual fantastic job of presenting not only one of their classic films, but have added the usual bells and whistles to go along with it. The best thing I can say about this DVD is the commentary by Tom Weaver... it's fast, funny, and speaks to the audience on a street level (which is to say, he dosen't mind sharing the same confusion, humour and wonder at what is happening both on and off the screen). For the mere 70 mins of running time Weaver packs it in... by the roll of the closing credits you know who everyone is... where all the props came from, what was just PR and what was real, what was cut out, left out, or just left around. Great stuff... worth the purchase and a worthy addition to any collection.
Rating:
Summary: A Movie With Plenty Of Bite !
Review: Firstly, apologies for the corny title of my review. Now the DVD. Universal has pulled out all the stops for its Classic Monster Collection DVDs and 'The Wolf Man' is a contender for best of the series. The DVD boasts several special features including an informative documentary, cast/crew notes and trailer. In keeping with the other Classic Monster DVDs, the real bonus is the incredible picture quality. Not just better than VHS, not just better than a revival cinema print, this print is better than I ever recall seeing on TV! 'The Wolf Man' also features the best commentary of any of these Universal DVDs. Tom Weaver provides an exceptional degree of insight into the movie in a very fast but conversational manner - you'll need to listen to the commentary more than once in order to gain full benefit. Like all good 'horrors' the emphasis is on suspense and mystery, not mindless gore. In fact, the image of Lon Chaney Jr in full werewolf make-up could easily overshadow the fact that this is also a superb psychological thriller - until you watch the DVD. This impressive package is an essential purchase for all vintage horror fans. When Leonard Maltin describes 'The Wolf Man' as 'one of the finest horror films ever made' you know you're not going to be disappointed!
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