Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Company of Wolves 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 9, 2022

1984’s “The Company of Wolves” is co-writer/director Neil Jordan’s ode to the sinister business of fairy tales. Inspiration is presented by author Angela Carter (who co-scripts), who supplies entry into a strange world of dreams and nightmares, also paying close attention to the power of storytelling with this immersion into dark woods, unreal threats, and burgeoning sexuality. Jordan teases a level of lustfulness with the endeavor, but he’s mostly consumed with achieving a specialized look for the film, using a modest budget to build a fantasy land for the characters to explore. “The Company of Wolves” has a remarkable visual presence at times, with Jordan in pursuit of a cinematic journey. Pacing doesn’t quite matter to the helmer, who’s deeply committed to mood, keeping the picture from acquiring the dramatic authority and elegant creepiness it hopes to deliver.

Rosaleen (Sarah Patterson) is a teen girl lost in a dream state, imagining herself as a resident of an 18th century village, joined by her mother (Tusse Silberg) and father (David Warner). When her sister is killed by a pack of wolves, Rosaleen is sent to live with her Granny (Angela Lansbury) for a short stay, soon experiencing the old woman’s rules for life, including warnings to stay on a safe path through a nearby forest and to use caution around men, especially ones with a unibrow. Such facial hair identifies strangers as wolves, keeping Rosaleen cautious as she deals with a suitor and other males coming around as she matures. Granny is also a storyteller, offering the young woman tales of horror and carelessness, while Rosaleen also partakes in the oral tradition, examining narratives of trust and deception as she’s confronted by the dangerous ways of wolves.

“The Company of Wolves” is something of a puzzle, beginning with Rosaleen’s sleep adventure, which rattles her sibling. The dreamworld is where Rosaleen lives in the movie, creating an experience that begins with the slaughter of her sister, who’s killed in the opening sequence of the feature. Rosaleen is soon playing the part of a young woman living in a village surrounded by a dangerous forest, which is teeming with threats, making the practice of staying on a single path most important for survival. “The Company of Wolves” connects Rosaleen with Granny, who offers tales of evil and temptation, including the saga of a newlywed coming to realize her husband (Stephen Rea) isn’t a man at all, but a wolf who demands loyalty. Granny offers rules to keep Rosaleen safe, warning her of men that are “hairy on the inside,” while a unibrow is the most defined clue that something isn’t right about strangers in the night.

Jordan keeps the picture nebulous, aiming to get lost in layers of storytelling and dangers, with the endeavor heading in multiple directions until the final act, where it begins to resemble “Little Red Riding Hood.” The helmer stays in the nightmare for long periods of screen time, trying to sell a sense of artful intimidation with some magical additions. “The Company of Wolves” is impressively constructed, with Jordan working overtime to transform his small production spaces into a grander view of forest threats, filling the frame with atmospherics and critters, aiming to master some type of cinematic power to best support the fairy tale event. Craftsmanship is excellent, making the movie an interesting double feature with 1985’s “Legend,” but “The Company of Wolves” periodically abandons dramatic emphasis in the pursuit of fantasy, throttling an already episodic viewing experience, bringing it to full stop as the writing labors to find a new tale to visualize.

The Company of Wolves 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Screencaps are taken from the Blu-ray.

"The Company of Wolves" comes to UHD, listed as a "New 2022 4K scan of the original camera negative." The Dolby Vision viewing experience deals with a very intricately crafted feature, and colors emerge with authority, obviously leading with bold reds, including Rosaleen's costuming and the bloodiness of wolf transformations. Lighting atmosphere secures delicate blues and purples, and storytelling time captures distinct pinks. Blacks are deep throughout the viewing experience, losing little to shadow play and evening adventures. Skin tones are natural, also following exaggerated makeup application to reinforce the "innocence" angle of the story. Detail is appreciable, exploring period costuming and a range of skin particulars, including monstrous additions. Fine hair and facial surfaces also register well. Forest tours are reasonably dimensional, showcasing production effort. Grain is heavy but film-like.

The Company of Wolves 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD mix offers satisfactory dialogue exchanges, but some elements of age remain, never truly interfering with intelligibility. Scoring cues are defined, with clear instrumentation and emphasis, supporting the feature's journey into unreality. Sound effects are appreciable and balanced, along with atmospherics, which offer a sense of village life and forest menace.

The Company of Wolves 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Listed on the packaging is a "New interview with producer Chris Brown and special makeup effects artist Christopher Tucker," but this isn't included on the disc.

• Commentary #1 features co-writer/director Neil Jordan.

• Commentary #2 features producer Chris Brown and actors Micha Bergese and Kathryn Pogson.

• "Where Fairy Tales End" (18:58, HD) is an audio-only interview with composer George Fenton. The interviewee explores the strange atmosphere of "The Company of the Wolves," looking to on-set creations to best inspire the music. Influences are highlighted, generating different themes and sounds for the picture. Specific instruments and musicians are identified, working to generate a unique sound for the endeavor. And Fenton recalls his relationship with co-writer/director Neil Jordan, sharing some information about "High Spirits," their follow-up collaboration. Throughout the interview, selections from the score are shared.

• "Alice in Dreamland" (6:13, HD) is an interview with actress Georgia Slowe, who shares her familiarity with author Angela Carter, and her characterization, taking inspiration from her older sister for the part of Alice. On-set memories are shared, with Slowe wowed by the creation of the forest, taking in the "magical" aspects of the shoot. Animal co-stars are recalled, as the interviewee interacted with an owl and a cowardly wolf. Screaming requirements are identified, along with practical effects, giving the effort a sense of realism. Cult longevity is also assessed.

• Image Gallery (2:59) collects publicity shots, BTS snaps, and film stills.

• T.V. Spot (:31, SD) is offered.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:36, HD) is included.

The Company of Wolves 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Company of Wolves" is a strange movie. It's incredibly well-crafted and considered, and performances are solid for this type of entertainment, with Lansbury easily stealing the feature with her commanding screen presence and dedication to Granny's bristliness, making her moments the best in the endeavor. There's a high level of thought put into certain screen elements and concepts, including plenty of symbolism when it comes to Rosaleen's loss of innocence arc, which Jordan is eager to sell. And yet, "The Company of Wolves" doesn't come alive in many ways, held back by the production's focus on technical challenges and the overall storytelling labyrinth, making for an uneven picture. It's certainly a feast for the eyes, but lacks authority when it comes time to invest in the characters and their battles with eerie and sometimes undefined malevolence.