Le pacte des loups (2001)

Director:

Christophe Gans

Writers:

Stéphane Cabel (adaptation) &
Christophe Gans (adaptation) ...

Release Date:

31 January 2001 (France)

Genre:

Action | History | Horror | Mystery

Plot:

In 18th century France, the Chevalier de Fronsac and his native American friend Mani are sent by the King to the Gevaudan province to investigate the killings of hundreds by a mysterious beast.

Plot Keywords:

Beast | Conspiracy | Native American | Mysterious Beast | Supernatural

Awards:

3 wins & 20 nominations

Cast

Samuel Le Bihan	...	Grégoire de Fronsac
Vincent Cassel	...	Jean-François de Morangias
Émilie Dequenne	...	Marianne de Morangias
Monica Bellucci	...	Sylvia
Jérémie Renier	...	Thomas d'Apcher
Mark Dacascos	...	Mani
Jean Yanne	...	Le Comte de Morangias
Jean-François Stévenin	...	Henri Sardis
Jacques Perrin	...	Thomas d'Apcher (old)
Edith Scob	...	Geneviève de Morangias
Johan Leysen	...	Beauterne
Bernard Farcy	...	Laffont
Hans Meyer	...	Marquis d'Apcher
Virginie Darmon	...	La Bavarde
Philippe Nahon	...	Jean Chastel

Also Known As:

Brotherhood of the Wolf (Canada: English title) (USA)
Lupus dei - Le pacte des loups (France) (original script title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and gore, and sexuality/nudity.

Runtime:

142 min | 152 min (director's cut)

Country:

France

Language:

French | German | Italian

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | South Korea:18 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:14 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Finland:K-15 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Hong Kong:IIB | Hungary:16 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Philippines:R-18 | Canada:R (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Château de Roquetaillade, Mazères, Gironde, France

Company:

Canal+

Trivia:

De Fronsac travels on a ship aptly named "Frère loup", French for "Brother wolf".

Goofs:

Continuity: The body of the young woman which is used as bait for the wolf is that of the shepherdess (the lady with the goat), who isn't killed until about an hour later in the movie. (The shepherdess scene was originally shot to take place much earlier in the film and when it was switched to later, they just hoped no one would notice the body was identical.)

Quotes:

Jean-Francois de Morangias: You are too late. The beast is immortal.
Gregoire de Fronsac: IT may be immortal, but YOU aren't!

Movie Connections:

References The Last of the Mohicans (1992)

Soundtrack:

Once

Unique adventure movie, solid all around

Le Pacte des Loups is a fairly impressive movie. What other movie can spend two and a half hours on a ravaging monster fought by a scientist and his loyal Iroqois "brother" in 18th century France, and keep its audience enraptured? Its plot is a bit obscure in places, admittedly, leaving the audience not so much in suspense as confusion, but this is the unconventionality that comes with such a unique work. The acting was a bit above average, the actors and actresses combining well with the enchanting atmosphere and succeeding in making memorable characters. The score also contributes to the film's mysterious mood, and great cinematography (although occasionally overdone) helps it out too. While all this goes a long way to making a great film, it is the dazzling action sequences that make it a classic. The choreography is great, the sound effects make you feel as if you're standing a foot away, and the mystery of the movie is such that nearly every battle's outcome is uncertain. If the romance is trite, a few lines seem out of place, and the plot falters a bit, overall, this is still quite a movie to watch if you're looking for a lot of adventure and action. [8/10]