1930s
This was Hollywood’s
first attempt at bringing werewolf mythology into movies but was not a success
in the cinemas. In this movie the werewolf is portrayed as more man than
monster due to the lack of special effects.
Plot: In Tibet, botanist Wilfred Glendon is
researching a mysterious flower that supposedly gets its power from the moon.
Whilst researching Glendon gets bitten by a mysterious creature. When Glendon
arrives back in London he continues to research the flower and is aggravated
when scientist Dr. Yogami turns up and reveals that the plant is the only known
temporary cure for werewolves. Glendon is still unsure about the flower until
the next full moon, when he undergoes a transformation.
1940s
1941: The Wolf Man
During the
early 1940’s Universal Studios did not have the large budget it once had mainly
due to the effects of World War II on the US economy. Therefore, the special
effects did not evolve much. This film mixes horror and romance together which
made it a big hit in the cinemas. Later The Wolf Man was remade in 2010 due to
its success.
Plot: Larry
Tabolt returns to Wales, to see his father, after his brother dies. Whist in
Wales he visits an antique shop where he tries to impress Gwen, the shopkeeper,
by buying a silver walking cane. Later that night he kills a wolf with the cane
only to find out he actually killed a man. A gypsy tells Tabolt that he killed
her son who was a werewolf and that now Larry has now become one himself.
1943: Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man
Following the success of The Wolf Man in 1941 a sequel was
released involving another popular horror film character, Frankenstein. Bringing
the two monsters together allowed for a larger target audience of not only
Frankenstein fans but also Werewolf fans.
Plot: Talbot turns into a werewolf after Sundown. He is led
to Dr. Frankenstein’s castle to try and get rid of the curse, however
Frankenstein is dead but Talbot believes his daughter, Baroness Elsa Frankenstein
can help him. During the movie Frankenstein’s monster makes a return.
1950s
1957: I was
a teenage werewolf
The movie
cost around $82,000 to make but grossed over $2million. This film was a huge
success and was the 10th top grossing film of 1957.
Plot: A
troubled teenager decides to seek help through hypnotherapy however his doctor
uses him for experiments which turn him into a werewolf.
1960s
1961:
The Curse of the Werewolf
Plot: After
leaving his loving adopted father to find work, Leon Corledo begins to have
increasingly violent urges. The only way he is calmed is by his love for
Christina. However, he cannot contain
his curse which consequently leads him to transform into a werewolf.
1970s
1973: The Boy Who Cried Werewolf
Plot: Richie
Bridgestone’s parents have just divorced. He goes to spend the weekend with his
father in a remote mountain cabin. They are attacked by a werewolf whilst on a
hike and Richie’s father is bitten. Richie then tries to convince his mother,
and his therapist that his father has turned into a werewolf.
1980s
1981:
An American Werewolf In London
This film grossed $30.56 million at the box office. The film
was praised for its make-up special effects and won the 1981 Saturn Award for
best horror film and the first-ever awarded Academy Award for Outstanding
Achievement in Makeup. Special effects
had improved a lot by this time.
Plot: Two American college students, David and Jack, are
backpacking through Britain. They are attacked by a werewolf on their travels.
Jack is killed and David survives with a bite. David is left to heal in a
hospital where he has nightmares of Jack warning David that he is turning into
a werewolf. In the next full moon David turns into a beast.
1985: Teen Wolf
Teen Wolf debuted at No 2 on its opening weekend, behind
Back to the Future. The film had a worldwide gross of around $80million. This
film subverted conventions of werewolves being beasts and murderers. The plot
was also a lot different to previous werewolf films as the werewolf is the
hero.
Plot: Scott Howard is an unpopular high school student. He
is on an unlucky basketball team and is having problems getting the prettiest
girl in the school to notice him. But he is not a “normal” teenager and after
coming home from a party one night he turns into a werewolf. He tries to keep
it a secret, but during a basketball game his secret is revealed. However, this
gives him the popularity he has always wanted but being a werewolf comes with
consequences.
1990
1996: Bad Moon
This film was not as popular as previous werewolf films and
only grossed a total of $1 million.
Plot: Ted and his girlfriend are in Nepal when they are attacked by a creature.
Ted is bitten but his girlfriend is killed. He then moves closer to his sister
and her son to recover but only the family dog may be able to prevent his
transformation into a werewolf.
2000s
2009: The Twilight Saga:
New Moon
This film was a sequel to Twilight. It
was a huge success and had a gross of over $281 million. This film was followed
by more sequels which became more popular. With improving special effects the
werewolf is shown as a complete wolf compared to films in the 1900s where the werewolf
was seen as half man half wolf. Also, instead of one werewolf a whole family is
shown as it is seen as normal to have werewolves in their world similar to the
vampires in the film.
 |
| The Wolf Man (1941) |
 |
| Twilight (2009) |
Plot: After Edward suddenly leaves who is Bella’s vampire
love. She finds comfort in her growing friendship with Jacob. Bella’s loyalties
are tested as she is enticed by the world of werewolves, the enemies of
vampires.
2009: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans
This film grossed over $45 million. Films in the 2000s have
a higher gross as visiting the cinema becomes more popular. Better special
effects also attracts a larger audience.
Plot: Victor, the king of the vampires has tortured the Lycans for many years.
Young Lucian creates an army to fight against Viktor and his Death Dealer
warriors. His secret lover Sonja, a vampire, helps him to lead the werewolves
into a final battle to break free of slavery.
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