A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.A New York cop investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 5 nominations
Reginald VelJohnson
- Morgue Attendant
- (as Reginald Vel Johnson)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaComposer 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.
- GoofsMoments 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.
- Quotes
Edddie Holt: It's not wolves, it's Wolfen. For 20,000 years Wilson- ten times your fucking Christian era- the 'skins and wolves, the great hunting nations, lived together, nature in balance. Then the slaughter came.
- Alternate versionsA cameo (about 15 seconds) by Tom Waits as a bar owner playing the piano and singing his song "Jitterbug Boy" was included in theatrical prints and early TV versions, but had to be removed from the film for video and DVD releases due to copyright reasons.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Trailer Trauma 3: 80s Horrorthon (2017)
Featured review
Werewolf Classic
A New York cop (Albert Finney) investigates a series of brutal deaths that resemble animal attacks. Tom Noonan and his beard guest star in a key role.
The film is known for its early use of an in-camera effect to portray the subjective point of view of a wolf. Similar to thermography, the technique was later adopted by other horror films such as the "Predator" film series.
Although considered a modern werewolf classic, Roger Ebert asserted Wolfen "is not about werewolves but is about the possibility that Indians and wolves can exchange souls." Well, yeah, that is true... but it is still werewolves, even if not in the traditional sense.
Where is the proper release? This is what people want to know. Apparently the director has a preferred cut, but instead all we get is a bare bones Blu-ray with nothing more than a trailer. Surely there is much more that could be done.
The film is known for its early use of an in-camera effect to portray the subjective point of view of a wolf. Similar to thermography, the technique was later adopted by other horror films such as the "Predator" film series.
Although considered a modern werewolf classic, Roger Ebert asserted Wolfen "is not about werewolves but is about the possibility that Indians and wolves can exchange souls." Well, yeah, that is true... but it is still werewolves, even if not in the traditional sense.
Where is the proper release? This is what people want to know. Apparently the director has a preferred cut, but instead all we get is a bare bones Blu-ray with nothing more than a trailer. Surely there is much more that could be done.
helpful•125
- gavin6942
- Oct 7, 2015
- How long is Wolfen?Powered by Alexa
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $17,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,626,725
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,037,911
- Jul 26, 1981
- Gross worldwide
- $10,626,725
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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