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Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'

Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man' (1999)

Jan 01, 1999 33m Documentary Horror

Starting with "The Wolf Man" (in 1941), Universal Studios made five movies featuring The Wolf Man, a character portrayed by Lon Chaney, Jr. Monster by Moonlight! explores these movies. Rick Baker explains how the make-up was done on Chaney's character. Screenwriter Curtis Siodmak took very little from earlier werewolf legends, providing his own story for some of the films. This documentary displays clips from several other movies, including "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein" (1948) and "House of Dracula" (1945).

Directed by David J. Skal

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • David J. Skal
Writer
  • David J. Skal

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Thematic Analysis

This Documentary/Horror film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man' presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.

Director David J. Skal brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man' took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 33 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 68 minutes long.
  • The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
  • The film contains approximately 973 individual shots.
  • The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.

Historical Context

  • In 1999, when this film was released:
  • The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
  • Digital technology was transforming the entertainment industry.
  • Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: January 1, 1999
  • Runtime: 33m

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