Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Wolf Lake Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 26, 2016

1980’s “Wolf Lake” hopes to be incendiary work, pitting the World War II generation against the realities of the Vietnam War. It’s a grandpas-gone-mad movie that tends to think it’s more profound than it actually is, denying the reality of its exploitation elements. Director Burt Kennedy (“Suburban Commando”) does a fine job taking the action to the middle of nowhere, and for those who enjoy the ability to view a film performance from space, there’s Rod Steiger in the lead role, working himself up into a frenzy as he portrays a member of the greatest generation ready to gun down an example of America’s failure. “Wolf Lake” is more odd than suspenseful, but it’s certainly something that might appeal to those who value a straightforward summary of hostilities.

Arriving in the wilds of Canada for a hunting trip, formers marines Wilbur (Jerry Hardin), George (Richard Herd), and Sweeney (Paul Mantee) are joined by Charlie (Rod Steiger), who once commanded men in World War II. Forced to stick close to their cabins for a few days, Charlie decides to harass caretakers David (David Huffman) and Linda (Robin Mattson) for fun, gradually increasing his immediate dismissal of a man he refers to as a “bearded lady.” When Charlie discovers that David is out in the middle of nowhere to avoid prosecution as an army deserter, he goes berserk, challenging the stranger’s way of life and defining his cowardice, while Linda is subjected to harassment from the men just for being young and pretty. As alcohol flows and guns are pulled out of storage for target practice, Charlie’s interest in hurting David grows. Disturbed by the toxic atmosphere, Wilbur tries to intervene, but Charlie is driven to make David pay for his crimes, with the two men trading mysterious pasts as the weekend turns into a game of survival.

“Wolf Lake” isn’t good with introductions. We first meet Charlie and the boys are they step off a tiny plane, taking in the rich Canadian air (the movie was shot in Mexico), ready for a weekend of shooting, drinking, and pretending that women are simply objects to be harassed. But for Charlie, one single glimpse of David, and it’s all over. Granted, in the post-hippie world, perhaps the sight of slightly bushy hair and a tastefully maintained beard was cause for alarm for most older Americans, but Charlie is quick on the draw when it comes to dismissing David, tearing into him at first sight. A lot of events arrive without warning in “Wolf Lake,” making the first act a game of catch-up, trying to get a read on Charlie’s aggressions and David’s history without a few minutes set aside to grasp motivations.

The feature eventually settles into a series of confrontations between Charlie and David, but the rest of the characters get in on the action as well, finding Wilbur accidentally enraging his former commander with knowledge of David’s army desertion, though the details of the crime take time to come out. Linda is treated as a piece of meat by the men, who leer at her in a way that suggests they’ve never actually seen a woman before, delighting in chances to spy on her in the shower or make predatory moves toward her, claiming only to be friendly. This culminates in a gang rape (it wouldn’t be a film of the era without one), which is a particularly ugly act that Kennedy can’t recover from, going into pure darkness while still maintaining thriller ambitions. Instead of winding up chills and spills, “Wolf Lake” becomes grim and hopeless, displaying deeper thematic texture in philosophical and political debates between the generations than it does with crude, unmotivated violence. Kennedy isn’t exactly Peckinpah, making physical escalation less interesting than intellectual gamesmanship. Steiger certainly reaches for the heavens with his grandiose performance, but his combustible screen presence only periodically wakes the picture out of its slumber.

Wolf Lake Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is rough around the edges, but details remains in good condition. While not an advanced visual event, "Wolf Lake" remains tight on faces, which retain signs of aging and panic, and locations preserve depth, capturing cabin architecture and nearby forests and marshes. Colors are agreeable, delivering natural skintones and passable costume hues, but major focus is put on outdoorsy views, with greenery intact. Delineation handles major shadow play and limited lighting. Source displays persistent scratches and speckling, with some deep green lines briefly popping into view. Judder is common, with intense wobbling in the first act. And discoloration is periodic.

Wolf Lake Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is a spare listening experience, taking in the stillness of the surrounds, highlighting dangerous isolation. Hiss and pops are detected, but not a sustained issue. Dialogue exchanges are adequate, maintaining rising tempers without distortion, supplying needed intelligibility. Scoring cues are fine, but lack any thrilling precision, only adding some mood to the effort. Atmospherics are understood, including the movement of wind and hollow interiors. Sound effects, such as gunshots, tend to fuzz out, missing snap.

Wolf Lake Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (10:17, HD) pairs actors Jerry Hardin and Richard Herd for a brief conversation about the making of "Wolf Lake." Friendship is emphasized throughout, with the cast bonding during the shoot, especially Hardin and Herd, who share a tale of a problematic flight they endured when first brought out to the movie's Mexico locations. While extensive recollections about production aren't offered, there's a sense of camaraderie provided here that's appealing, along with notes on characterization.

• Interview (11:21, HD) with producer Lance Hool tracks his development as a young horse rider in Mexico, where his skills allowed him to take part in films such as "Rio Lobo." Graduating to producing, Hool found a unique script in "Wolf Lake," and recalls the roller coaster ride to finance it. Hool doesn't have much to share about shoot, but he discusses the picture's test screening trials, where he claims fights broke out in the theater due to political content, resulting in the feature being shelved as it searched for a new distributor.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included.

Wolf Lake Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Kennedy has problems with pacing, often arranging real time walks to stretch the feature to 90 minutes, and such stasis gets old in a hurry. Absurdities tend to pile up quickly as well, including a moment where Charlie openly fires a rifle at David during target practice, but the caretaker magically remains on duty, determined to remain in the old man's obvious line of sight. There are only so many whoppers one can take before dismissing the picture, and "Wolf Lake" inspires submission, only to redeem itself for a moment or two with gut-rot emotions, especially when Charlie reveals why he's driven to destroy David and everything he represents. "Wolf Lake" needed more depth and less minutes-long shots of characters walking around the cabins, allowing for sharper material to inspire a righteous woodsy frenzy -- a backyard war of age and entitlement.