Writer-director Neil Marshall’s low-budget British horror film
is reminiscent of An American Werewolf in London, whilst also touching
upon the atmosphere of Deliverance and Predator. The film is a scary,
humorous, white-knuckle ride with enough gore to please fans of the
genre. A plethora of great actors deliver an exciting opening, a gruelling
middle, and a gripping finale in this flawed cult classic.
A squad of six British soldiers are sent on manoeuvres in the Scottish
Highlands, but what should have been a routine military exercise turns
into a nightmare for Sergeant Harry Wells (Sean Pertwee), Private
Lawrence Cooper (Kevin McKidd), Joe Kirkley (Chris Robson), Terry
Milburn (Leslie Simpson), Phil Witherspoon (Darren Morfitt) and Corporal
Bruce Campbell (Thomas Lockyer). After setting up camp, their customary
camaraderie is disturbed when the dismembered carcass of a cow crash-lands
into the middle of their campfire during the night.
The following morning they stumble into a Special Operations encampment.
Aloof Captain Richard Ryan (Liam Cunningham), on a mysterious secret
mission, is mortally injured and the only survivor of his crack unit
- the rest of the squad torn to shreds. Stunned by the blood-soaked
aftermath and unable to make any sense of Ryan, the shocked men are
pursued through the forest by a pack of snarling creatures. They seek
refuge in a Land Rover belonging to zoologist Megan (Emma Cleasby),
who takes them to a nearby farmhouse deep in the forest for refuge.
Inside, the table is set and dinner is bubbling on the stove, but
no one is home. Outside, strange noises grow closer and closer, and
the men are convinced that whatever has disposed of the missing inhabitants
lurks outside. With no radio contact, no live ammunition; the besieged
soldiers have only cunning and brute force to rely on while the werewolves
gather.