Monday, April 9, 2018

The Werewolf and the Yeti


Director - Miquel Iglesias (Rape, Green Inferno)
Starring - Paul Naschy (Night of the Executioner, Panic Beats), Merceda Molina (Exorcismo, The Fifth Season), and Silvia Solar (Cannibal Terror, Devil's Kiss)
Release Date - 1975
Tagline - "Two bloodthirsty beasts in deadly combat"
Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

     All good things must come to an end.  I started my Paul Naschy movie marathon several days ago and was able to watch five amazing films from one of the most underrated names in horror.  I watched the fantastic Hunchback of the Morgue which is considered his best work, the giallo A Dragonfly for Each Corpse, the period piece The Devil's Possessed, and the religious horror film Exorcismo.  All were amazing films.  The final film in the set is easily the most notorious of his films, The Werewolf and the Yeti.  This is one I see posters and VHS for everywhere in horror groups and forums.  I had always heard it was shit but who wouldn't want to see a movie about a yeti and a werewolf?
     The film follows Waldemar Daninsky (Naschy) who travels to Tibet to prove that the elusive yeti does exist.  A colleague of his died while investigating sighting and may have unearthed a scalp belonging to the beast.  While on the hunt for the creature he finds himself separated from his group and near death before he finds refuge in a cave where two vampires live.  They seduce him and when he discovers their true nature they bite him turning him into a werewolf in the moon light.  His group finds themselves being hunted by a ruthless lord of the region who wants to kills everyone but the women.  Soon Waldemar finds himself imprisoned by him as well until the sun sets and the evil of the wolf is unleashed.
     I've heard a lot about this film over the years from avid horror fans and fans of Naschy alike.  They all tend to say the same thing.  Most warn people to avoid this flick or skip it.  I don't see why.  I absolutely loved it.  It is the perfect 70s' drive in flick with an absurd story and solid cast.  The acting in this one is well done by everyone involved.  Naschy does a fantastic job as the films' lead with is expected.  The supporting cast does a knock out job as well.  They really made some memorable characters come to life.  The story for this one is fantastic.  We have vampires, yeti, a werewolf, and Hun like pirates that prey on the country side.  The story has a smooth pacing with very little slow scenes.  Finally, the film has several death scenes but they do not stand out.  One would assume that an outlandish story would deliver outlandish death but it does not.  Overall, The Werewolf and the Yeti is a fun late night watch.  Far from the best Naschy film but it is still fun as fuck to watch. Check it out.

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