Insight A film by Christophe Gans of epic proportions, "Brotherhood of the Wolf" [Le Pacte Des Loups] is a truly remarkable tale and a marvellous film. Imagine combining aspects of the visual, the spectacle and special effects of films like "The Matrix", "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon", "Sleepy Hollow" with the spectacular martial arts of "The One" and transposing that back into the 18th century of southern France and a film based on a true story of a terrible beast that is killing at will. The images are huge, the characters are spellbinding and the chase for the beast will both shock and excite you. With the exception of Mani [Fronsac's indian companion] all characters portrayed in "Brotherhood of the Wolf" truly existed and the tale of the "Beast of Gevaudan" is one that has been passed down generation after generation in France. Christophe Gans was familiar with the story as it had been recanted to him many times by his parents. When asked what inspired him to take on such a film he replied "I read the script and found the characters leaping off the page at me. Also I knew the story of the "Beast of Gevaudan". My parents used to tell it to me when I was a kid and I remember seeing a black and white TV drama documentary about the story in the 1960's." The big question on everyones lips though is the inclussion of that glorious character Mani played by Mark Dacascos ["American Samuri", "The Island of Dr Moreau" and "The Perfect Husband"]. Did a red Indian play a part in the capture of the beast? "We are making a film for the widest audience possible," he said, "for people of all ages, but for me, a good adventure movie must convey ideas." He continued, "Mani is a kind of mystical warrior, represents in ideological terms what I believe about life in general, about the relationship between man and nature, and man and animals. He is also a character young people today can identify with." How much then is truth and how much if fiction in "Brotherhood of the Wolf"? "The first third of the film is faithfull to actual events," Gans explained. "All the characters truly existed with the obvious exception of Mani." And how does he see the character Fronsac appear to Gans? "I always like it when heroes are confronted with their own contradictions. A true hero is not infallible. What I like about Fronsac is that he is a fine, brave man with some very rough edges."
"Brotherhood of the Wolf" is a powerful film with a sense of realism and a true feel for the plight of those who were not only the victims of the 'beast' but those who set out to try and capture it. There are a myriad of colrful characters and the film is narrated at its beginning and at its end. It is a film that has the potential for wide appeal and to create a huge following. In French with English sub-titles it is an engrossing tale that truly captures the spirit of that era. It is a veritable feast for the eyes! Star Bytes Samuel Le Bihan [Grégoire de Fronsac] trained at the Rue Blanche Theatre School and the Conservatoire National d'Art. The multi-talented actor has appeared on the stage in productions ranging from "The Taming of the Shrew" to "A Streetcar Named Desire". His first appeareance in films came in Catherine Breillat's "Dirty Like an Angel". This was followed by "Three Colors:Red" and in 1996 "Captain Conan". In 1998 he won the Prix Jean Gabin after he appeared in Tonie Marshall's film, "Venus Beauty Salon.

Vincent Cassel [Jean-François de Morangias] is a name and face most theatre-goers will recognize but did you know that he started out studying comedy at the Actors Institute of New York? At age 20 he returned home to theatre. He has appeared in many films including "The Crimson Rivers", "Birthday Girl" with Nicole Kidman, the zany, wild "Guest House Paradiso", "Metisse" and his voice was used in the animation film "Shrek" for Monsieur Hood.

Mark Dacascos [Mani] is a wonder in "Brotherhood of the Wolf" and will amaze audiences with his portrayal of the american indian with mystical powers and spectacular martial arts skills. His film credits date back to 1985 when he appeared in "Dim Sum". Since then he has been seen in films such as "The Perfect Husband", "No Code of Conduct", "Sactuary", "The Island of Dr Moreau", "Crying Freeman" and "American Samuri". And that Kung Fu fighting. Well you'd better believe it because Dacascos was the 1985 European Champion at the age of 18.

Émilie Dequenne [Marianne de Morangias] is an actress you will hope to see more of. Just 22 years of age she has appeared in only three films. The first in 1999, "Rosette", won her the coveted Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival. "Rosett" went on to win the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes that same year. Her next appearance was in "Oui Mais" [200]. "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is her third major film.

Monica Bellucci [Sylvia] has appeared in film since 1991 and her ravishing beauty is hard to miss. Francis Ford Coppola snapped her up for "Dracula" in 1991 and her career got off to a flying start. She is more than just beautiful, Monica is a consumate, mutli-talented actress. Who could ever forget her [I know I never will] sensational and moving lead role as Malena Scordia in that wonderful film "Malena" which headlined the 2001 Italian Film Festival down under. Her other credits include, "The Matrix Reloaded", "Under Suspicion", and "Briganti". Wolf Trivia

Here's something that will interest trivia buffs......... Monica Bellucci & Vincent Cassel appeared in the 1996 film "L'Appartment". Monica Bellucci & Vincent Cassel also appeared in the 1997 film "Dobermann". Producer Samuel Hadida & David Wu also worked on Christophe Gans 1995 film "Crying Freeman". Editor David Wu and Stunt Co-ordinator Phillip Kwok worked together on three films ..... They were "The Phantom Lover", "Hard Boiled" and "The Big Heat". David Woo started as an assistant editor with the Shaw Bros in Hong Kong. "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is a French language film with ..... a French director - Christophe Gans a Hong Kong editor - David Wu a Danish director of photography - Dan Lautsten the "Beast of Gevaudan" was created an American company - Jim Hensons Creature Shop

The Story Based on a events which happened between 1765 and 1768 in a sparsely populated region of southern France, "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is a film of truly epic proportions combining romance, swashbuckling adventure, martial arts, religious fervor and all the terror of "The Beast of Gevaudan". It is 1765, France is at war with England but for the population of Gevaudan war is the least of their worries. A terrible beast weighing 500 kgs, with huge jaws and teeth the size of daggers is on a killing spree. All efforts appear powerless to stop its rampage of death. King Louis XV sends a renown scientist Gregoire de Fronsac [Samuel Le Bihan] and his indian companion Mani [Mark Dacascos] on a special mission to discover and destroy this terrible monster. Fronsac is about to discover there is much more to this beast than anyone ever have imagined. The Verdict "A glorious film. Big, bold and exciting. "Brotherhood of the Wolf" is a veritable feast for the eyes and one hell of a kick arse film. A combination of swashbuckling adventure, romance, horror, betrayal, martial arts and intrigue, the spectacular "Brotherhood of the Wolf" will appeal to both young and old audience alike."

What The Critics Say "Plenty of swash-buckling, ass-kicking, beast-taming and bone-crunching for everyone!" JoBlo JOBLO'S MOVIE EMPORIUM "If you see one French costume drama martial arts werewolf secret society romance this year, make sure this is it." Chris Vognar DALLAS MORNING NEWS "Daring in its approach and successful in its result -- assuming the result is to provide pure entertainment to the viewer." James Berardinelli JAMES BERARDINELLI'S REELVIEWS "A delightfully eclectic piece of filmmaking." Mark Dujsik MARK REVIEWS MOVIES "The film has a wonderful style and a sense of movement that barely slows down for its two and a half hours." Evan Erwin FILM THREAT "Exciting, sexy, smart, funny and damn scary." Tim Cogshell BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE "A deliriously entertaining film -- part myth, part monster, part The Matrix." Eleanor Ringel Gillespie ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION "Brotherhood is set in 18th century France, and it kicks more butt than The Patriot" Marty Mapes MOVIE HABIT "Imagine John Woo directing a lush French period horror film with fight choreography from The Matrix's Woo-Ping Yuen, and you'll have a pretty good idea what to expect from Wolf." Jon Popick, PLANET SICK-BOY " thoroughly engrossing, a high-rent guilty pleasure whose subtitles do little to obscure its basic investment in the thrills of sex and violence" James Kendrick Q NETWORK FILM DESK The Cast Samuel Le Bihan Vincent Cassel Émilie Dequenne Monica Bellucci Jérémie Rénier Mark Dacascos Jean Yanne Jean-François Stévenin Jacques Perrin Johan Leysen Bernard Farcy Edith Scob Hans Meyer Virginie Darmon Philippe Nahon Eric Prat Jean-Loup Wolff Bernard Fresson Christian Marc Karin Kriström ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Grégoire de Fronsac Jean-François de Morangias Marianne de Morangias Sylvia Thomas d'Apcher Mani Le Comte de Morangias Henri Sardis Old Thomas d'Apcher Beauterne Laffont Mme De Morangias Marquis d'Apcher La Bavarde Jean Chastel Capitaine Duhamel Duc de Moncan Mercier Old Thomas' servany Bergère du Rocher The Production Team Directed by Christophe Gans Original Music by Joseph LoDuca Cinematography by Dan Laustsen Written by Stéphane Cabel & Christophe Gans Production Design by Guy-Claude François Costume Design by Dominique Borg Running Time 115 minutes Rated M15+[AUST] Copyright©2002 - United International Pictures - All Rights Reserved

Copyright©2002 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved