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Samuel Le Bihan, Mark Dacascos, Émilie Dequenne, Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci ... see more see more... , Jérémie Renier , Jean Yanne , Jean-François Stévenin , Hans Meyer , Edith Scob , Jacques Perrin , Johan Leysen , Bernard Farcy , Virginie Darmon , Philippe Nahon , Eric Prat , Jean-Loup Wolff , Jean-Paul Farré , Andre Penvern , Bernard Fresson , Frankye Pain , Francois Hadji-Lazaro , Michel Puterflam , Charles Maquignon , Jean-Pierre Jackson , Juliette Lamboley , Karin Kristrom , Nicolas Vaude , Nicky Naude , Daniel Herroin , Marc Christian , Vincent Cespedes , Pierre Lavit , Max Delor , Christian Adam , Gaelle Cohen , Virginie Arnaud , Isabelle Le Nouvel , Albane Fioretti , Clarice Plasteig , Edit Cassou , Delphine Hivernet , Gaspard Ulliel , Pierre Castagne , Stephane Pioffet , Eric Laffitte , Eric Delcourt , Christelle Droy , Andres Fuentes , Nadine Marcovici , Jean-Claude Braquet , David Bogino , Emmanuel Booz , Pascal Laugier

French legend has it that a creature known as the Beast of Gevaudan -- a huge, wolf-like monster -- was responsible for the violent deaths of over 100 persons in the mid-18th century, and this horror ... read more read more...fantasy blends the lore of this fabled beast with a story of two men who set out to capture it. After a number of mutilated corpses begin appearing across the French countryside, naturalist Chevalier Gregoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) is dispatched by the King to find and capture the animal responsible for the killings. Mani (Mark Dacascos), an Indian from Canada and an experienced hand in the wilds, is hired to assist de Fronsac in his work. Gregoire's assignment earns him the acquaintance of Marianne de Morangias (Emilie Dequenne), the lovely daughter of the idly wealthy Count de Morangias (Jean Yanne), but Gregoire receives a much chillier welcome from her brother Jean-Francois (Vincent Cassel), who, despite having lost an arm to a lion in Africa, is quite the huntsman himself. As Gregoire and Mani arrive in the village of Gevaudan, they're drawn to a local house of prostitution, where the animalistic allure and supernatural powers of Sylvia (Monica Bellucci) prove to have a profound effect on the naive Gregoire. Jim Henson's Creature Shop provided the special-effects expertise for the creation of the Beast of Gevaudan. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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75% liked it

47,395 ratings

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72% liked it

117 critics

R, 2 hr. 23 min.

Directed by: Christophe Gans

Release Date: October 11, 2001

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DVD Release Date: October 1, 2002

Stats: 2,857 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,857)

  • garyX
    November 11, 2011
    garyX
    An adventurer and his Iroquois warrior companion investigate a series of brutal murders in rural revolutionary France said to be the work of a supernatural creature. The Brotherhood of the Wolf is a strange fish indeed. It is a genre spanning hybrid of period romance, supernatura... read morel horror, Holmesian mystery and martial arts mayhem. It's a strange brew indeed, but somehow it works. The basis of the story is similar to The Name Of The Rose in that a man of science investigates murder in Ye Olden Days to a backdrop of religious and political paranoia but it mixes in elements of The Hound Of The Baskervilles and Dangerous Liaisons with a Hammer Horror twist to create what is best described as a French Sleepy Hollow with Kung Fu. The eclectic cast all show their quality in their various fields, from straight to DVD stalwart Marc Dacascos' laconic, high kicking Indian to Vincent Cassell's embittered aristocrat through to the inevitably stunning Monica Bellucci's mysterious Italian courtesan. The CGI may be showing its age a little, but otherwise its visually very nice and the story, although a little lacking in focus, is so odd ball it never fails to maintain the interest. An unusual supernatural action film that transcends its patchwork of ideas to create something strangely unique.
  • ironclad1609
    November 6, 2011
    ironclad1609
    Leave it to the French to deliver the wildest genre mix European cinema has seen in the last decade. This is martial arts action, fantasy, monster horror, historical piece and conspiracy thriller all at once. The little wonder is: the film works in each of these aspects and espec... read moreially as a whole. When you expect the showdown the story takes a few more unexpected turns (maybe even one too many) and takes you through a slightly too long but none the less exciting and spectacular finish. Especially Dacascos' fights are top notch, but the rest of the cast is just as convincing. No wonder Cassel has been a regular in Hollywood ever since. A truly original and outstanding piece of French cinema that doesn't try to be great art but just damn fun and entertaining.
  • deano
    November 3, 2011
    deano
    Extraordinary and extremely cool. While delving into this actual historical mystery, the heroes uncover a mad-up conspiracy involving one-armed aristocrat Vincent Cassel and a deep-cleavaged Monica Bellucci. This frogsploitation epic has it all and then some: a monster, posh froc... read moreks (ripped, naturally), kung-fu, scheming courtiers and regular bouts of swordplay.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    October 2, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Brotherhood of the Wolf is a stunning action horror film. Brilliantly acted and directed, Brotherhood of the Wolf is a stunning film, with an engaging storyline. This is also a different take on the werewolf genre, and it's very creative. Director Christophe Gans, who would later... read more direct Silent Hill, helms this stunning film. What makes Brotherhood of the Wolf such an interesting film is the perfect mix of action and horror and that the film is constantly thrilling. The film has a great blend of atmosphere mixed in with the Gothic overtones of the time period of which the film takes place. Brotherhood of the Wolf is a stunning foreign film, and quite possibly one of the most impressive French films that I have seen. The acting displayed by the actors is flawless, and they each bring something original, exciting and thrilling to the screen that makes this film a much better film. The story itself is well developed and executed. The film at times has good terror, and plenty of good action scenes. Director Christophe Gans has crafted a near flawless picture that is a very memorable viewing at that. What makes this film a worthy viewing (At least for me), is that the film is a wonderful period piece that blends action and horror into a memorable, and quite frankly unforgettable werewolf monster film. This is a classic of the Werewolf genre, and belongs as one of the best of the Werewolf films. Not since An American Werewolf in London and The Howling has a Werewolf film been so effective at delivering good scares along with stunning action, acting and drama.
  • cosmo313
    September 13, 2011
    cosmo313
    For a non expert on French films, I feel I've seen enough to say that this really doesn't seem like their sort of thing. I was surprised to learn that this was (and might still be) one of their biggest blockbusters. Guess I need to do some more watching.

    This is an ambitious ep... read moreic story that is a very stylish blend of multiple genres, including historical costume drama period piece, action, adventure, mystery, horror, anachronistic post "Matrix" style martial arts, and romance. It also deals with issues of race, religion, and politics. That's a hell of a lot of stuff for an action movie about a monster (non-metaphoric) on the loose.

    The broad story takes places in 18th Century France and concersn a royal taxidermsit/naturalist and knight and his Iroquois companion who travel to the Gevaudan Province to investigate the case of a supposed wolf like monster that has een terrorizing the region.

    Genre mashups are so hard to do, and do well, and though this film certainly does try, it is admittedly a bit of a mess. It's long, has uneven pacing, and feels like it lasts forever. I saw the slightly extended director's cut, so that just beefs it all up even more. Also, some of the effects are dated and not all that goods looking. They hired the Jim Henson Creature Shop though, so that shows they at least put some effort into it.

    I think this film tried to do and be too much, and as a result, it's a real mixed bag that really doesn't always work as much as it should. I'm giving it a slight recommendation though, because it's never really boring, it's entertaining, and it's got some very cool costumes, great cinematography, and some okay action.

    The acting is okay, but nothing truly amazing. Well, except for Mark Dacascos. He's awesome. Some of my assumptions about the plot and characters turned out to be correct, but that's fine. I wouldn't have minded being more surprised though.

    I normally really praise ambition, but I think this could have been a real masterpiece had they just made it more focused and not tried ot cram so much in. Playing it more straight and accurate might have made for a less stylish and cool movie, but it would have been stronger overall.

    Like I said, I'll give it a small recommendation, but it's not a brilliant work of art. It's great to look at and very entertaining though, and that's what really matters.
  • itsjustme2004
    April 8, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    No real deep characterization in this film, and the director couldn't decide on a plot line. Pretty much a mundane action flick that had potential and didn't deliver. Nice costuming, and cinemetography, though. I was expecting so much more from the high ratings. Very slow, and re... read moreally long.....and I thought that the CGI effects with the beast were laughable.
  • paulsandberg
    March 30, 2011
    paulsandberg
    This French production uses the kitchen sink method: a little historical politics, a little period costuming, a sprinkling of mysticism, an overdose of martial arts, and a big bad wolf (or perhaps it's just Grandma wearing a wolf's outfit). Throw this mishmash together and you'v... read moree got a film that takes itself way too seriously, and one that ultimately fails in just about every way.

    The story begins earnestly enough, with some Marquis penning a tale that took place several years earlier concerning a "beast" that is terrorizing the citizens of a French province. The king sends a "naturalist" to the area more because he's curious and wants to see the beast himself than because of any effort the protect his subjects (and isn't that just the way it always is with these damned kings?)

    As the "naturalist" and his Indian companion traverse the countryside (and I must admit there is some beautiful photography to be viewed), they come upon some ruffians who are tormenting an old man and what appears to be his daughter. The Indian companion gets off his horse, walks into the fray and goes all Bruce Lee on the hapless Frenchies - uh oh, first misstep (as I'm wondering how a Canadian Indian in 1750 is hip to all that fu stuff).

    From there the Naturalist meets up with the upper crust of the Province, and for some reason the filmmakers decide to include about a hundred characters, as if each and every one is important (here's a clue, they're not). This gives the filmmakers the opportunity to show that the upper crust were a bunch of bigots, equating the Indian "savages" to the "Negro in Africa". Ooh, sociology lesson kiddies!

    The film then introduces a "love interest"... of course they do, this is a French film, what did you expect. Said affair de amour isn't just superfluous however, and in better hands could have made a substantial impact on the film. Alas! The film spends a great deal of time chatting amongst all the Dukes etc. and it is decided that they will marshal all the townspeople and local militia and go on a great hunt to capture or kill the "wolf". While on the hunt, the Naturalist and the Duchess or whatever she is, get separated (but fear not, for Jackie Chan comes with them - so no hanky panky occurs). In its place you get a bit of mysticism, as first the Indian says that he hears the dead speaking to him (hello, Indian dude, Bruce Willis here...) and then becomes the wolf whisperer, as a white wolf (Elric, where are ya when we need ya?) seems able to communicate with the Indian.

    Of course the "beast" remains elusive, but heck, we all had a good time hunting, including yet another scene where the locals pit their meager talents against Jet Li, all while the girl who was being harassed by the ruffians in the scene where we first met the Indian watches with glee. She has one of those eye to eye thingies with the Indian, all filled with portents (of what we have no idea, and, funny thing, never will - though it is rumored that the wench is a witch - always wanted to use that bit of alliteration).

    The film then makes up for the lack of hanky panky during the hunt by having the Marquis invite the Naturalist (and the Indian) to a brothel, whereupon the Naturalist, naturally (he he) meets up with a mysterious Italian (wow, what an international film we've got going here) who is obviously much more than a whore (even though she resides in the brothel).

    So that's the setup - whew! To summarize, we've got a love interest, but the hero is also shagging the Italian. The Italian is "owed favors", probably in return for her favors, and remains a "woman of mystery". We've got a beast terrorizing the countryside, but after half of France goes a hunting, he remains unseen (it's as if the wolf is human, able to think and reason... hmmm, another red herring, or just red riding hood?). We've got possible witchcraft as well as a spiritual Indian who talks to the animals (Rex Harrison, may ye rest in peace), who is also versed in martial arts.

    At this point we're almost half way through the 2.5 hour running time, and while the kung fu stuff taking place in 18th century France is pretty hilarious, I was at least entertained. Ah, but then things start to seriously unravel. The king sends some specialist hunter, direct from the court in Versailles (because, as everybody knows, the best hunters wear all those frilly costumes). There is a bit of deceit, the beast is pronounced dead and the Naturalist is ordered to return to Paris, where he is commissioned to head off to Africa - end of story. Or is it? No, the Naturalist knows of the deceit, and when the killings in the province resume, decides to return upon the request of the Marquis and the love interest, in spite of express orders by the monarchy to stay away.

    There is yet another scene of a fresh-faced maiden being hunted by... well, you get the picture - and here I was wondering how all those peasant girls were so clean and rosy cheeked, even while sloshing through muddy bogs - silly me.

    From here mystery and mysticism run rampant - there's some stuff involving a secret sect commissioned by the Pope (hmm, maybe the Naturalist can consult with Tom Hanks, or Nick Cage), all rolled up into a big mess where the film tries to wrap up each and every single plot thread - like the audience is supposed to care about what happens to some guy who only has 5 minutes of prior film time (was he a Duke, a Marquis, or the piss boy?).

    Any film runs into serious trouble when it takes itself so seriously while asking you to believe in some pretty preposterous premises (that's PPP - I'm going to trademark the phrase). Having a Jedi master in a film where gunpowder is a recent discovery is just a bit jarring, but that's not the half of it. In attempting to make sense of everything, the film piles iffy proposition upon absurd proposition, upon plot convenience to build a mountain of.....merde? Including three or four false endings (all of which we could have done without), like a scene where the aged Marquis is brought before a teeming mob of peasants ("sire, the peasants are revolting" - "yes, they certainly are", yuck yuck) - I guess this was supposed to represent the revolution, and there's a funky bit of prose about the beast being quelled - said beast being the anger of the people, but really, was this viva la France moment really necessary, or for that matter the entire enterprise?

    I also have to mention that there are some serious continuity issues here (but we're French, so we don't care about your silly continuity) - as well as a bit of truly bad CGI. The final analysis: if this film could have figured out what it wanted to be, it could have been much better, but the action film/political agenda - it's two, two, two films in one didn't do anyone any favors. I have some vague recollections of a film that was done by Disney back in the late 60's (of which I had a comic) called The Scarecrow - kind of a Robin Hoodish thing where an Englishman priest spent his evening hours confounding the crown's tax collectors - this film could have been like that, but would have required a much tighter narrative.
  • ythelastman89
    January 15, 2010
    ythelastman89
    A beautiful looking period piece and perhaps the most odd way to go about doing a monster movie. It works in somehow making a very plausible and believable plot having to do with an 18th Century wolf-beast, blended with kung-fu fight scenes and a love story. I wouldn't exactly ca... read morell it a horror movie, but it doesn't really fit in a sort of genre. The main issue with the movie is the CGI, it's absolutely horrible, making the beast laughable.
  • RCCLBC
    November 2, 2009
    RCCLBC
    Realized that I had only rated this and not reviewed it, so watched it again (the "directors cut" this time) and was instantly reminded of just how beautifully shot this film is.

    While it is not without it's flaws, it is very well done. And though the main premise of the stor... read morey is "Baskerville-ish", it is nicely enveloped with enough French history, martial arts and lush costumes and sets that (for the most part) it is easy to overlook.

    My only complaint would be with some of the CGI effects regarding "the beast". They were a bit low budget at times. But again, there is SO much other really great stuff to be said for the film, that it is pretty easy to overlook those few moments of bad CGI.
  • allan913
    October 18, 2009
    allan913
    A classic. A wild and absolutely breathtaking ride. As cool and as exciting as adventure gets. It's a masterpice, a briiliant combination of historical background, fantacy, horror, mystery and outstanding action sequences. A stylish, sexy, remarkable and mind-blowing adventure. A... read more compelling, moving and provocative film filled with great locations and sensual images. An extroadinary and fasinating movie. An amasing and explosive action-packed adventure. The action is like something from The Matrix or Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The story has a great sense of character development and devotion. It truly shines with greatness and incrediable style. Samuel Le Bihan and Mark Dacascos are sensational. Vincent Cassel gives a chilling performance.

View All Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) Reviews

Critic Reviews

David Edelstein
March 22, 2002
David Edelstein, Slate

Instead of fluid acrobatics, we get hyperbolic montages of kicking feet, somersaulting torsos, and fists connecting with faces. Full Review

Andrew Sarris
March 13, 2002
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer

Fun movie, animatronic beast and all. Full Review

Peter Howell
February 8, 2002
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

Exhilirating viewing, at least while the feet are flying and the fangs are baring. Full Review

Liam Lacey
February 8, 2002
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail

Utterly preposterous but so full of enthusiasm and flashy style that it's entertaining anyway. Full Review

Andrew O'Hehir
February 1, 2002
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

An extraordinary film, although not necessarily a good one. Full Review

Jay Boyar
January 24, 2002
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel

A tediously complicated, half-mad narrative that involves, among other things, a secret society, a house of prostitution, a beautiful noblewoman, the king of France and a one-armed man who isn't what ...

Peter Rainer
January 22, 2002
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

Pop-fantasy action films don't have to be this unendingly horrid. Full Review

Peter Travers
January 22, 2002
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

This new take on horror is more of the bloody same.

Joe Baltake
January 18, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Gans is so willful in blending together his weird selection of ingredients that the whole thing is affably deranged. Full Review

Susan Stark
January 18, 2002
Susan Stark, Detroit News

This is a film to savor, not only for the intelligent currents it establishes between past and present but also for the bravura it brings to pure spectacle.

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Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf) Trivia

Le Pacte des loups (Brotherhood o... Trivia

  • This 2001 film was based upon the Sherlock Holmes novel, "Hound of the Baskervilles"  Answer »
  • Name the 2001 French film that was based upon the Sherlock holmes novel, "Hound of the Baskervilles"  Answer »
  • In Le Pacte des Loups (Brotherhood of the Wolf), what was Thomas' totem according to Mani?  Answer »
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