Spoilers think it’s good to be the king.
Some movies are hard to judge from just the premise. This is a period piece set in 18th century France, and it’s a full French production. Just from that introduction, you’d think this would be a poor fit for this site, until you see the trailer. No, this one will suit us just fine, thank you. Actually this one is a bit of a ride, you just wonder which audience it got when it hit the theaters originally.
Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001) is directed by Christophe Gans who wrote it with Stéphane Cabel. The Chevalier Grégoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and his Native American associate Mani (Mark Dacascos) are commissioned by the King of France to investigate the deaths in the Gévaudan province, which are attributed to an outlandish beast. Fronsac will develop romantic feelings for Marianne (Émilie Dequenne) something that will earn him the ire of his jealous brother Jean-François (Vincent Cassel). He will also have to resist the seductive powers of local courtesan Sylvia (Monica Bellucci). Fronsac will find an ally in the young Marquis Thomas d’Apcher (Jérémie Renier) who is also the narrator of the story.
The script is very loosely based on the legend of the beast of Gévaudan. The feature most fits the genre of an action adventure film, mixing swashbuckling with martial arts and adding some horror elements. I’m forced to tell you there’s some dated CGI in the film as the beast makes its appearance. The action is heightened to an uncommon degree for a period piece, and it does not shy away from nude scenes either. As for the secret of the beast and the motives behind the Brotherhood of the Wolf, I will let you discover those yourself.
It works if you let it. That means, forget the historical inaccuracies, the over-the-top martial arts mixed in and the almost fantastical adaptation. The idea is to just rely on a powerful suspension of disbelief and take it in. Yes, the CGI is a bit dated, some relationships are a bit toxic and it almost feels it borrows more from medieval fantasy than 18th century France. However, as entertainment value goes, it provides enough for its runtime.
Recommended with reservations. This is one you don’t have to put at the top of your list, and one that hardly could be considered really “historical” per se. Instead, it’s an action-adventure period drama with some horror-fantasy elements that might be making a few things up but will entertain you. Worth a watch if you’re in the mood for an adventure that is not quite what it seems.
That will do for now.
Never Think Impossible 