Main cast: Peter Lofsgard (Thorfinn Garstang), Jay O’Connell (Hal Balfalger), Greg Draven (Thomas Fairhurst), Tim Cartwright (Hamelin Wiltshire), Jake Watkins (Percy), Rick Carter (Baron Magnus), Derek Nelson (Osmund Blakewood), Ricardo Freitas (Griff), Emma Spurgin Hussey (Maggie), David Simcock (King Vortigern), and Reece Connolly (Wolfstan)
Director: Charlie Steeds

Despite its name, Werewolf Castle isn’t a horror movie. It’s actually a medieval fantasy film that pits a team of warriors against a band of werewolves. There are some icky moments of fake blood being poured all over the place, but not to an extent of a typical werewolf film.

We have Hamelin Wiltshire, Hal Balfalger, Osmond Blakewood along with their annoying squire arriving at the day after a bunch of werewolves slaughtered the people of a village. They along with Thomas Fairhurst, who’s not in armor perhaps because they ran out of budget for an extra knight costume for him, head off to take down the werewolves and their leader, Wolfstan.

Joining them is the obligatory newbie, Thorfinn, who wants to redeem himself after mostly cowering and hiding as the werewolves slaughtered his lover and his father. The knights and their squire scoff at him and mock him at every turn, and Thomas is the only one that treats him with a little kindness at first. However, he will soon realize that the other knights are just trying very hard to be cool and edgy, such as Hal that just wants revenge on those creatures.

The fact that I spend an entire paragraph on this bloke should be a clear indication that whom the main protagonist of this movie is. As a bonus, early soon Peter Lofsgard shows part of his rear end during a pretty tame love scene with his soon-to-be-a-carcass girlfriend.

Now, I know the people behind this film didn’t have much money to play with, and perhaps they got the costumes for free or something provided that they return those costumes in pristine condition, but it’s disconcerting in a way to see these costumes so shiny and clean when the people wearing them are supposed to have trekked for hours under the sun and in the dirt. Also, the recycling of props is pretty obvious, such as both Wolfstan and the knights brandishing the same very distinct map that is probably drawn by some fellow in return for some weed or something.

Furthermore, perhaps because the crew wanted to be paid more for working after dark, this movie takes place under bright light of day. This can be a problem when it comes to scenes of dramatic tension and fear, as these scenes would then be too bright to evoke such things in the viewer.

The bright light also highlights just how much the werewolves are obviously blokes in costumes. On one hand, it’s nice that this movie resorts to practical effects instead of CGI, but then again, maybe the folks making the movie couldn’t afford the CGI after paying the crew and all.

Also, the werewolves, oh my. Their principle way of attacking is spinning their arms in a 360º windmill-style motion at their victims, and the whole sight is unintentionally hilarious.

Now, I say all this not because this movie is bad. I’m just laying out what people can realistically expect when they watch this thing, so that they won’t let their cringe distract them from the better things about this movie.

Yes, this movie has some good things. For one, the story may not be the most original, and the characters are definitely tried and true archetypes, but the story is actually a pretty bleak one. There is a stark kind of realism that I can’t help liking, such as Thorfinn doesn’t easily transform into a capable fighter overnight, how being “honorable” leads to death more often than not, and victory can come at a great cost.

There are some dark one-liners now and then, but these characters are not quip machines. As the movie eases into its later half, it becomes apparent that the danger is very real, and the knights may be far more cocky than capable when it comes to dealing with the werewolves. It’s a shame that the werewolves themselves don’t look or act menacing, really, or else this movie would have edged even further into delicious medieval sword and horror territory.

The cast is also pretty good, going above and beyond to make their otherwise stereotypical and often shallow characters work. Thorfinn and Hal are portrayed to be total opposites and antagonists despite being on the same side, but this relationship of theirs never develops to any extent that can be considered memorable. However, the actors playing these two characters make it work and their characters end up being far more memorable than they otherwise would be.

Also, and this is a personal bias of mine, it’s always nice to come across a nicely done medieval fantasy romp. I don’t see many of those these days, and this one, despite its obvious budget shortcomings, is put together well enough to scratch that itch of mine.

Werewolf Castle isn’t something I’d consider a masterpiece, but folks looking for a dark fantasy film with knights and what not may want to give this one a try.