WEREWOLF IN A GIRLS DORMITORY: EARLY ITALIAN WEREWOLF

I’d seen glimpses of this film for years or at least stills from the film. Its poster was always found on websites that specialized in Italian horror films and classics of the 50s and 60s. I know it ran on a number of horror hosts programs over the years. And yet somehow I always missed it. But thanks to Severin I can now not only see the film but in the best format possible.

                  

Made in 1961 the movie takes place at more a girls reformatory than dormitory. A new teacher has just arrived, a disgraced doctor whose past we know little of. He’s young and attractive enough that the girls soon try to catch his eye, one even swooning in a fake faint attack.

The night of his arrival one of the girls escapes the grounds and heads out to the woods. She meets with another professor that she’s been having an affair with. She threatens to tell everyone unless he leaves his wife. He tries to talk her out of it before she heads back to the school. On her way back she’s attacked by a savage beast, what appears to be a werewolf.

The next day her body is found and suspicions arise. Could it be the new teacher? Or perhaps the professor she threatened? And then there is the strange looking caretaker who watches over all that takes place here. As more victims occur just who or what is behind it all becomes clear by the film’s end.

Filmed as LYNCANTHROP in Italy the movie made the rounds when it was released. Hitting the theatrical as well as the drive-in circuit it more than made its production value back. Shot in black and white it presents a well-made film that makes use of the shadows and light, something directors had begun to drift away from at that time. This makes for a wonderful looking film that offers just the right touch of fright as well.

Severin continues to show that they are dedicated to providing the best presentations of films of this nature possible. To begin with the film is offered here in a newly scanned 2k version from original film elements. It has never looked better. In addition to that they’ve included several extras including an interview with writer Ernesto Gastaldi, an alternate opening, the Italian trailer and the US trailer. If that weren’t enough they’re including a CD of the movie’s soundtrack as well.

It’s a fantastic package for a movie that deserves watching more than once. I was surprised at how good it was after it having played so many horror host programs. This is one worth adding to your collection.

Click here to order.