"Werewolf" (1987) TV series 1987-1988

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Creator:

Frank Lupo

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

11 July 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

There are two kinds of people. Those who believe and those who will.

Plot:

Young Eric has been bitten by a werewolf. However, he's not particularly thrilled by this turn of affairs and wishes to escape his curse...

Plot Keywords:

Werewolf

Cast

John J. York	...	Eric Cord (29 episodes, 1987-1988)
Lance LeGault	...	Alamo Joe Rogan (29 episodes, 1987-1988)

Runtime:

30 min (28 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

TriStar Television

Trivia:

The head werewolf was deliberately named "Janos Skorzeny" as a homage to the vampire in Night Stalker, The (1971) (TV).

Quotes:

Rogan: What's it like when it comes over you? Would you know your own mother? Your parents -- if they were alive, could you spare them?
Eric: I'd like to think so.

Movie Connections:

Follows Werewolf (1987) (TV)

Underrated Classic of TV Horror

This has to be one of the most creative and imaginative television shows of the 1980's. It's incredible to believe that there were only five postings before this one. Previous reviews have already outlined the plot so it won't be repeated here. Some reviews (here and elsewhere) tend to unjustly compare this series to 'The Fugitive' and 'The Incredible Hulk', as if those are the only two shows centering on a man on the run. Truth to tell, there was a show even called 'Man On The Run' well before the Hulk series, and there were other similarly-themed series like 'Starman', 'The Immortal', 'Otherworld', 'Logan's Run', and even the 'Planet of the Apes' TV series, as well as a parody of 'The Fugitive' that aired at the same time as it did. The idea of a "man on the run" show is as valid as a "hospital show" or a "lawyer show" or "ship in space show" or what have you. It is unfair to simply dismiss 'Werewolf' as just a copy of any similar show that preceded it.

'Werewolf' possessed many original features that separates it from the untold number of horror-themed shows that now flood the channels. Remember, there weren't many shows even like this at the time or before. The driving electric-guitar music, the graphic violence, and the mature themes (for a non-'dramatic' show) make every episode something new to enjoy. This series was the first in a long time, if not the very first, to have a weekly show deal with regular ongoing horror characters in a serious way. There were other shows that dealt with the supernatural, but they were anthologies like 'The Outer Limits'. The original nemesis for 'Werewolf' was played by Chuck Connors, who, through disputes with the producers, was written out and replaced with a new villain called 'Nicholas Remy'. Unfortunately the series was canceled shortly after this occurred and the final resolution has never been told (Sci-Fi Channel, where are you?!). Episodes such as 'The Wolf Who Thought He Was A Man', 'Running With The Pack', 'A World of Difference', 'Nightmare in Blue', and 'To Dream of Wolves' represent some of the best episodes of this too-short series.

Some previous reviewers have complained about the supposed 'inconsistencies' with werewolf lore, like seeing the pentagram on his own palm as opposed to the palm of his next victim. These people obviously know nothing of historical werewolf lore outside of film or else they would realize that the whole palm thing was created by Hollywood in the first place. Almost every culture on earth has legends regarding people transforming into animal form, be it wolf or fox or bear, dating back to the ancient Greek story of King Lycos. ANY Hollywood story must be viewed like any other adaptation, in that the 'facts' were changed where deemed necessary. It is doubtful that any film or television series has followed the historical rules regarding lycanthropy.

The 'Werewolf' TV series was no more accurate or inaccurate than 'The Howling' or 'An American Werewolf in London' regarding established werewolf lore, but it presented a new and creative series that attempted to bring to the screen the best of everything that happened before while not being simply a copy-cat of those stories. This series has many fascinating and compelling levels working in its favor, and it only takes the attention of the viewer to appreciate them.