A horror film where the monster looks more like a bear than a wolf
In short: In the 1985 horror film Silver Bullet, a small town is terrorized by a creature that critics famously compared to Smokey Bear. Despite its unconventional monster design and mixed critical reception, the film remains a cult curiosity, featuring a unique performance by Gary Busey and a memorable, surreal dream sequence.
Based on Stephen King's 1983 novella Cycle of the Werewolf, Silver Bullet follows a paraplegic boy named Marty who discovers that his town's local reverend is a werewolf. The film, directed by Dan Attias and released in 1985, was produced by Dino de Laurentiis. Production was marked by creative friction, particularly regarding the creature's appearance. King specifically requested a subtle, less hulking monster, but the resulting suit by Carlo Rambaldi looked so much like an American black bear that it earned the nickname 'werebear' among some viewers.
The film's production was further complicated by de Laurentiis's dissatisfaction with the creature's performance. Ultimately, Everett McGill, who portrayed the human Reverend Lester Lowe, took on the dual role of performing the stunts inside the werewolf suit. Gary Busey, playing the boy's uncle, was given significant creative freedom, with the director and King opting to include many of his improvised lines in the final cut. Filming took place over two and a half months in North Carolina, concluding just before Christmas in 1984.
Critical reaction to the film was largely unfavorable upon its release. Reviewers like Vincent Canby mocked the creature design, while others, such as Paul Attanasio, criticized the lack of suspense. However, the film found some defenders; Roger Ebert awarded it three out of four stars, noting that he enjoyed the film despite perceiving it as a parody of King's work. In later years, some retrospective reviews have praised the film's climax and its ability to offer a story that transcends typical werewolf tropes, cementing its place as a distinct, if flawed, entry in the horror genre.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Silver Bullet (film)
- Also: Wikidata — Silver Bullet · CC0
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