Review of Werewolf Shadow

Introduction

Werewolf Shadow aka Shadow of the Werewolf aka The Werewolf Versus Vampire Women aka La Noche de Walpurgis.

A film with so many names usually fails to inspire confidence, as it often smacks of rebranding in order to make a bad film appeal to a new audience. But it`s not just the film that`s been rebranded, as the writer and star Jacinto Molina (a former weightlifter) is credited as both Paul Naschy (a name invented to make him appeal to a non-Spanish audience) and James Molin (for his writing duties).

A feeble and predictable plot pans out as follows. Two nubile students (aka screaming victims) hunt for a renowned vampire witch, by going alone to an isolated French village. A strange local man with a mad sister offers them shelter. Can they find the vampire witch, accidentally bring her back to life and avoid the clutches of the werewolf?

Video

Amazingly we get a very good 1.85:1 anamorphic transfer, and it looks great for something that`s over 30 years old. It still has some flaws (grain and dirt), but is much better than expected. That`s more than can be said for the actual on screen action, poor effects and bad make-up, which are all very tired and dated. This is to be expected given the low budget and era of the film, but what may have been scary at the time is utterly laughable now.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack, which is the original mono replayed over both channels. I say "original", but it`s actually a dubbed soundtrack, so things get out of sync now and again. This just adds to the overall feeling of poor quality and the overall desire to laugh instead of hiding behind the sofa. It`s largely clear and audible, but for the most part unremarkable.

Features

In another unexpected twist we get some extras.

First up, there`s a 15 minute interview with Naschy/Molina. This was actually far more interesting than the main feature. He tells you why he changed his name, how he chose it, talks about this and other films and lots more besides. Naschy/Molina is an almost stereotypical fast-talking Spaniard, which means that you get a lot of information in your 15 minutes. I`d watch this again, even though I wouldn`t watch the film again.

We also get a gallery of posters used to promote this and other films throughout the world - this is actually more interesting than it sounds. There`s also a biography and a trailer.

Conclusion

"Things happen that have never been seen by human beings. The blood flows like vintage wine."

If I bought some vintage wine and it flowed like the blood in this film, I`d ask for my money back.

I`m afraid this is another of those really old films that you hope might be good but turn out to be bad. It says something about a film when the only thing worth watching on a DVD of that film is an inverview with the star, and not the film itself. I`m not really a fan of this genre, and there may be something here for you if you are. It`s just so tired and predictable.

The DVD itself is better than expected, with a good transfer, average sound, and the very interesting interview nestled with the other extras. This title is strictly for fans only though.