The Curse of the Werewolf
A cursed young man in eighteenth-century Spain struggles to preserve his humanity as a werewolf inheritance closes in.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- gothic
- foreboding
- tragic
- classic horror night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a well-produced Hammer werewolf picture with beautiful color photography and gothic atmosphere, though its familiar story, limited action, and sometimes stolid execution divided opinion.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Leon carries a werewolf curse from birth while Don Alfredo and Teresa attempt to counter it through love and moral guidance.
The Spanish castle, dungeon, forest, religious imagery, and Hammer production design establish a strongly gothic atmosphere.
Leon struggles to suppress the animal spirit and violent impulses associated with his werewolf curse.
The circumstances of Leon's conception and birth, followed by the priest's warning, anticipate his future transformation.
Films like The Curse of the Werewolf, and why
The Wolf Man
shared gothic horror atmosphere, cursed identity, and tragic monster narrative
House of Frankenstein
shared classic studio horror, supernatural transformation, and doomed romantic undertones
The Horror of Dracula
shared period gothic setting, theatrical horror style, and morally tormented outsider
Ginger Snaps
shared werewolf mythology, tragic family legacy, and folkloric horror
Movie Details
- Director
- Terence Fisher
- Release Date
- 1961-05-01
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (186)
Cast
- Clifford Evans
- Oliver Reed
- Yvonne Romain
- Catherine Feller
- Anthony Dawson
- Josephine Llewellyn
- Richard Wordsworth
- Hira Talfrey
- Justin Walters
- John Gabriel
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Curse of the Werewolf about?
- A cursed young man in eighteenth-century Spain struggles to preserve his humanity as a werewolf inheritance closes in.
- What is The Curse of the Werewolf like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Curse of the Werewolf as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Curse of the Werewolf violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Curse of the Werewolf as graphic.
- What did critics think of The Curse of the Werewolf?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a well-produced Hammer werewolf picture with beautiful color photography and gothic atmosphere, though its familiar story, limited action, and sometimes stolid execution divided opinion.
- Which films are like The Curse of the Werewolf?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein, The Horror of Dracula, and Ginger Snaps.
- How long is The Curse of the Werewolf?
- The Curse of the Werewolf runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Curse of the Werewolf?
- In United States, The Curse of the Werewolf is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
