Every now and then I see something werewolf-related that makes me giddy. This is one of them. I’ve only seen a trailer and a poster for “Le poil de la bête” (The Hair of the Beast) and already I’m in love. The problem is, everything to do with the movie is in French, and I’m one of those Canadians who didn’t pay attention during high school French. Here’s what I’ve put together thanks to Google Translate and the film’s IMDB page: It’s 1665 and scruffy con-man / swindler Joseph Côté manages to escape a Québec (née New France) prison mere hours before he’s scheduled to be hanged. He flees to the seigneury of Beaufort, where the main activity is waiting for “Daughters of the King”– French women who’ve been sent to Canada to find husbands. To avoid capture by the colonial soldiers searching for him, Côté assumes the identity of a Jesuit priest who, unbeknownst to him, is a famed hunter of werewolves. And wouldn’t you know it! Beaufort has a werewolf problem.
It’s Canadian, it’s photographed well, it’s a period piece and it has a werewolf that looks great (from what I could see). This particular mix of ingredients has got me excited! It’s been out for a month in Québec, but I’m not sure if / when / how us Anglos will get a chance to see it. In the meantime, here’s a trailer (love that hand transformation) and a poster. There are more clips and images available at www.lepoildelabete.com. If any French readers (I know there are a few of you out there) learn anything about a larger release on that site, please let us know.
Hat tip: Roger Flavell