The Company of Wolves **** (1984, Sarah Patterson, Angela Lansbury, David Warner, Graham Crowden, Brian Glover, Stephen Rea) – Classic Movie Review 3358)

Based on Angela Carter’s short stories, co-writer/director Neil Jordan’s 1984 British Gothic fantasy horror film is an alluring, visionary Freudian fairy tale for grown-ups. Spooky, sexy, gorgeous and unique, this is a marvellous, special film.

The 12-year-old Sarah Patterson a wonderful debut as Rosaleen, a girl on the edge of womanhood who falls asleep while reading her magazine in a country manor house. She then starts to have a deeply troubling dream about wolves in the woods she can see from her bedroom window.

In the dream, she fails to heed the advice of her Granny (Angela Lansbury) to stick to the forest path and beware of men whose eyebrows meet in the middle. If Sarah goes down to the woods today she is sure of a big surprise!

There are beautiful sets designed by Anton Furst, exciting cinematography by Bryan Loftus and glorious costumes by Elizabeth Waller, and attractive score by George Fenton, and the impressive special effect make-up is by Christopher Tucker. Bird impersonator Percy Edwards provided the voices of the wolves.

Also in the cast are David Warner as Father, Graham Crowden as Old Priest, Shane Johnstone as Amorous Boy, Susan Porrett as Amorous Boy’s Mother, Brian Glover as Amorous Boy’s Father, Stephen Rea as young groom, Terence Stamp as The Devil, Kathryn Pogson, Tusse Silberg as Mother, Richard Morant as wealthy groom, Micha Bergese (Huntsman), Danielle Dax as Wolfgirl, Dawn Archibald as Witch Woman, Jim Carter (second husband) and Georgia Slowe as Alice.

It is based on the werewolf stories in Angela Carter’s short story collection The Bloody Chamber (The Company of Wolves, Wolf-Alice and The Werewolf) and the plot follows her 1980 radio adaptation of The Company of Wolves. Carter’s first draft of the screenplay, with many differences from the finished film, was published in her anthology The Curious Room. Jordan suggested the modern frame story.

Jordan wanted Andy Warhol to play the Devil and he agreed provided his scenes were shot in New York. As this proved impractical, Jordan instead cast his friend Stamp, who agreed if Jordan bought him a suit!

Though most of the ‘wolves’ in the film are actually Belgian Shepherd Dogs whose fur has been dyed, two real wolves were used and snipers were on set during the filming in case they attacked.

Apart from a few shots, the film was shot on stage in Shepperton Studios. The church is a real one in Shepperton village.

The voice-over at the end is from Charles Perrault’s Little Red Riding Hood story, warning girls always to be wary of charming strangers.

Patterson went on to star in Snow White (1988), shot on location in Israel, but has only appeared a couple more films.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3358

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