The Curse Of The Werewolf (1961)

Set in 18th century Spain, a child (Justin Walters) conceived in rape has blackouts but his guardian (Clifford Evans) discovers that during those blackouts, he turns into a wolf and slaughters animals. For awhile, those incidents stop but when he (now Oliver Reed) grows into manhood, they return. Based on the novel THE WEREWOLF OF PARIS by Guy Endore and directed by Hammer veteran Terence Fisher. The film begins with a lengthy and tedious exposition involving a beggar (Richard Wordsworth) and a mute servant girl (Yvonne Romain) that really doesn't have much relevance to the main narrative. Once it gets to the story proper, it becomes a stylish and graphically violent (the film was edited for its original British release) horror film. Wisely, we don't actually see the werewolf completely until the film's last 12 minutes or so which is just as well as the werewolf make up is disappointing. This was Reed's first starring role and his charisma and screen presence are already there. The score is by Benjamin Frankel (NIGHT OF THE IGUANA). With Catherine Feller, Anthony Dawson and Hira Talfrey.