Horror Movie Review: The Company of Wolves (1984)

“Sweetest tongue has sharpest tooth.”

The Company of Wolves is a 1984 British gothic fantasy horror film directed by Neil Jordan. Starring Angela Lansbury, David Warner, Micha Bergese and Sarah Patterson in her film debut.

The film begins in the present day, within a country house. A young girl named Rosaleen (Sarah Patterson) dreams that she lives in a fairytale forest during the late 18th century. With her parents (Tusse Silberg and David Warner) and sister Alice (Georgia Slowe). But one night Alice is chased down and killed by wolves. While her parents are mourning, Rosaleen goes to stay with her grandmother (Angela Lansbury), who knits a bright red shawl for her to wear.

The superstitious old woman gives Rosaleen an ominous warning, “Never stray from the path, never eat a windfall apple, and never trust a man whose eyebrows meet.” Rosaleen returns to her village, but finds that she must deal with the advances of an amorous boy (Shane Johnstone). Rosaleen and the boy take a walk through the forest, but the boy discovers that the village’s cattle have come under attack from a wolf. The villagers set out to hunt the wolf. But once caught and killed, the wolf’s corpse transforms into that of a human being.

Amongst this tale is a collection of others told throughout, mentioning the Devil, a witch and werewolves alike.

Rosaleen later takes a basket of goods through the woods to her grandmother’s cottage. But on her way, she encounters an attractive huntsman (Micha Bergese) whose eyebrows meet. He challenges her, saying that he can find his way to her grandmother’s house before she can, and the pair set off. The hunter arrives at Rosaleen’s grandmother’s house first, where he reveals his bestial nature and kills her.

Tales within a dream and wolves aplenty, what does it all mean? Watch and see what you make of it.

The Company of Wolves begins as a singular story within the dream of a teenage girl, but ends up becoming an anthology of sorts. The short stories no doubt add to the movie, as the main plot is a bit slow and dialogue is too artsy in places.

I loved the production. The sets and props were well put together and added to the fantasy vibe. It’s very reminiscent of movies like Labyrinth. The practical effects were incredible, especially the werewolf transformations.

Even though it’s her own dream, Rosaleen isn’t very compelling. An infuriating character who strays from the path again and again, despite the death of her own sister.

I much preferred the fairytales they were told to us instead. My favourite being the one about the travelling man and his disappearance. The acting is fantastic in that one, the terror in Pogson’s eyes blew me away. Additionally, the nobleman’s wedding and the witch was a highlight.

Overall, The Company of Wolves is full of metaphors that are interesting to dissect and discuss. It’s hard not to appreciate the creativity and effort put in. Unfortunately, it’s bogged down by a lot of slow, boring and ultimately pointless scenes. Perhaps it would have been more beneficial to keep it simple and simply have Angela Lansbury lead an anthology film on her own. Instead of the convoluted wrap around tale of Rosaleen and her dream.