MovieChat Forums > The Curse of the Werewolf (1961) Discussion > What's with the long intro ?

What's with the long intro ?

posted 14 years ago by tommyuk
10 replies | jump to latest

The beggar and the Marques Siniestro intro seems redundant to the storyline. It could have just started off with the mute girl getting raped and then giving birth on Christmas day.It would have been better if they had of changed the intro so that the Marquis Siniestro didn't age so much and didn't die but instead became more more powerful and tyranical.The woman escapes from the dungeon gives birth to the werewolf.The werewolf then grows up and the storyine comes full circle with the werewolf killing the Marquis.Poetic Justice.

[–] sauronbaggins 14 years ago

The long intros the most important part of the story, plus we need to see Leons father and understand that it wasnt his fault he degenerated into the mad crazed animalistic beggar who rapes the servant girl.

Also it helps to make the story more rich and epic

[–] vny109-1 14 years ago

Just saw it yesterday and thought this was a really good movie. The long intro was a part of the story Leon's adoptive father was telling. Like the above poster says, it was told so that we knew where Leon comes from and why he becomes a werewolf.

But the OP also does have a point. The tyranical Marqui shouldn't have died and instead become the films villain. The Marqui's make-up made him look really creepy as well. It's just too bad we didn't get to see much of the werewolf or his kills. Excellent make-up as well.

[–] BillyFisher 14 years ago

The prologue is very important, thematically. As others have said, it establishes the reasons Leon became a werewolf. It also creates sympathy for Leon, as he is a victim of oppression by powerful people.

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[–] Adec 13 years ago

Personally I think the 'long into' is the best and most successful part of the movie. Richard Wordsworth's performance as the hapless beggar is particularly effective in my opinion.

[–] michaelward15 11 years ago

I'm watching this now, and I also thought the intro was long and unnecessary.

[–] Deluge69-663-991830 11 years ago

I mostly agree about the (too) long intro.

They should have cut out the first scene where the begger goes to the Inn; extraneous and unnecessary.

It should have begun where he is already approaching the Castle.

I once watched an edited TV Print that did this, and it made the story flow quicker, without sacrificing a strong build-up.

Oliver Reed was excellently tormented and heartbroken. I really sympathized with his sad and horrible tragedy. I believe it was his first leading role, following supporting things he did in earlier Hammer Films.

May He RIP

[–] ElectricWarlock 10 years ago

I actually like the parts with the beggar. I felt very sorry for him. He was being degraded and was well aware of it too but he didn't care because he was in need and would do anything just to survive. It built a lot of sympathy for his character. Those are actually my favorite scenes from the film and most memorable for me.

I've been waiting for you, Ben.

[–] worldofsnail 8 years ago

Wot? And miss Yvonne Romain?

[–] bastasch8647 8 years ago

One reviewer, "Grumpy Andrew", describes it as not having a long intro, but rather as an almost-stage play in three acts:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0lFfXVm_1U

[–] spectrx 7 years ago

I have to agree, the intro was wayyyy to long. This movie doesn't even get going until half way through. I think they could've structured the movie differently so it wasn't paced so poorly. I'm guessing the movie wasn't very well received, either, or they would've done some sequels, like they did with their Dracula and Frankenstein movies.