The Curse of the Werewolf (1961): Hammer Horror Gets Hairy

Universal didn't own the werewolf forever.

In 1961, Hammer Film Productions gave the monster its own gothic makeover with The Curse of the Werewolf, starring Oliver Reed.

And this isn't exactly a happy story.

Hammer approaches lycanthropy as a genuine curse, surrounding its monster with tragedy, superstition, violence and the rich gothic atmosphere that made the studio famous.

Oliver Reed also brings an intensity to the doomed Leon that makes him feel dangerous even before the monster fully emerges.

The result feels very different from Universal's Wolf Man while still embracing the basic tragedy at the heart of great werewolf stories:

What happens when a decent person becomes something they can't control?

Night 4 takes our marathon into Hammer territory.

Need more creatures under the full moon? Watch and listen to Johnny Spoiler's werewolf movie coverage on the Binge-Watchers Podcast website.

🐺 Tonight: The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)
🌕 Tomorrow: Somebody at the party is a werewolf.