The Ancines Woods

1970 [SPANISH]

Action / Drama / Horror

4
IMDb Rating 6.3/10 10 643 643

based on novel or book serial killer werewolf peddler based on novel lycanthropy

Plot summary

Benito Freire, a pedlar in a small village in northern Spain suffers from epileptic seizures and rumours start to spread that he may be a werewolf and responsible for a series of killings. The local Abbot is called upon to form a team to investigate, in an effort to halt the harrowing murders.

Director

Pedro Olea Photo
Pedro Olea

Top cast

Rafael Hernández Photo
Rafael Hernández as Sacristán
Alfredo Mayo Photo
Alfredo Mayo as Don Nicolás de Valcárcel
John Steiner Photo
John Steiner as Robert
Víctor Israel Photo
Víctor Israel as Lameiro
720p.BluRay 1080p.BluRay
826.35 MB
1196*720
Spanish 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 29 min
Seeds 1
1.5 GB
1792*1078
Spanish 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 29 min
Seeds 4

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by Chase_Witherspoon 7 / 10

A wolf in sheep's clothing

Whilst he's an utterly pathetic character, one feels little sympathy for the central antagonist whatever his affliction, a grovelling little specimen who lures vulnerable women (and girls) deep into the woods under benevolent pretences, only to prey on his victims with selfish disregard.His methods aren't particularly sophisticated, the MO always the same, and so it's surprising that even in the late 19th century he was able to inflict so much carnage in such a small geographical area without arousing suspicion. The web of lies are so loose that it's only a matter of time for the house of cards to tumble, and the local abbot (Casas) reluctantly sets out to discover the disturbing truth.Lopez-Vasquez is devastatingly effective as the imbecilic, almost Neanderthal looking Benito, his mannerisms and vocal performance match the cowardly itinerant, a man of limited means who seems to feel the world owes him something, despite everyone with whom he comes into contact being courteous and respectful. Deeply resentful of their kindness, which he seems to interpret as patronising pity, he lulls them into entrusting him, then betrays that confidence with callous indifference.Euro-horror fans will relish the sight of John Steiner in a small supporting role as a Protestant missionary with whom Benito briefly has contact, his character more incidental to the plot than critical in any way, but still interesting to see him in a very early role (the film was made in 1969).Although not at all gory, there's still one or two scenes that many viewers could potentially find upsetting, the film isn't graphically violent, but its the sanctity the main character breaches that makes the crimes so hideous and deplorable.Well-paced and photographed, it's an eerie little Spanish folk-horror, hard to find but definitely worth a look. And for those wanting to see lycanthropy, you'll be disappointed to realise there's no werewolf, only a wolf in sheep's clothing which in this case might still be enough to reward your attention.
Reviewed by BA_Harrison 7 / 10

In my defense, I'm a werewolf.

The Ancines Woods is loosely based on Spain's first recorded serial killer, Manuel Blanco Romasanta (1809-1863), who admitted to thirteen murders but claimed that he wasn't responsible for his crimes since he suffered from a curse that turned him into a wolf.José Luis López Vázquez plays the film's murderer, Galician pedlar Benito Freire, who has been afflicted with an unspecified ailment since childhood - now, when acting as a guide for travellers, he suddenly becomes gripped by a madness that drives him to kill. Freire is shown not to be a werewolf, but rather suffering from a mental condition - schizophrenia, perhaps - that makes him act in a violent manner against his usual character. The killings are brutal, with the murder of a child being particularly disturbing (he starts to strangle her and then accidentally sets her on fire).The film is very gradually paced, so much so that it's easy for one's attention to wander at times (I soon started to notice all of the flies in the film), but it is well acted, José Luis López Vázquez putting in a convincing central performance as the killer who evokes pity as much as he does fear. The story builds to a satisfying climax, as Freire's lies eventually start to unravel, evidence mounts against him and he becomes the subject of a manhunt.7/10. For a more recent version of the same story (but not as good), check out Romasanta (2004), starring the late Julian Sands.
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