Die Wölfin

After a long time away, a man returns home to find his wife in the throes of death. In addition, he discovers that another tragedy has occurred, and that black magic was involved. Leaving again, in disgust, the man dismisses the fact that he's now been cursed. Soon, he finds that no matter where he goes, a certain creature is following him.

WILCZYCA (aka: THE WOLF, aka: SHE WOLF) is a fantastic tale of witchcraft and lycanthropy, set in 18th Century Poland during the time of the Hussars, although the use of daguerreotype suggests the mid-19th Century. There is a cold, foreboding atmosphere, and this film contains some of the most haunting wolf howls ever recorded.

Of special note is Iwona Bielska, who plays a dual role as the witch and the Countess. She's quite beautiful, and her long, perfect teeth are truly wicked! She's as seductive as she is demonic.

A solid, slow-building occult horror movie with a gory finale...

(1983) Wilczyca (In Polish with English subtitles) HORROR

Co-written and directed by Marek Piestrak that has Kacper Wosinski (Krzysztof Jasinski) just arriving to help his ailing wife, Maryna (Iwona Bielska) he has not seen in years who happens to be dying. But because she has done things while he was away that may have bewitched her, may have forced the way she was supposed to be buried. We are then see Kasper, a comrade in arms interact with his fellow superiors, Count Wiktor Smorawinski (Leon Niemczyk) and Count Ludwik (Stanislaw Brejdygant) who has just been married to a much younger wife, Countess Julia, who appears to have a history with a much younger high ranking cavalry man, Otto (Olgierd Lukaszewicz).

Despite the unmemorable ending and not scary at all, I thought much of it is reminiscent of a folklore or a mythical tale.

I was expecting rather more from this 80s vampire tale from Poland but perhaps my experience was affected by some of the worst subtitles I have encountered. Clearly a labour of love for some amateur film buff but not just sweet mistakes like 'bumpkin' instead of 'peasant' but whole sections in the wrong tense with some events being anticipated when they were actually references to past happenings. Very confusing. Then there was all the fighting and presumably defending of the homeland. Along with all this was a fairly simple tale involving curses, a wolf, rather a lot of blood and a silver bullet, oh and some rather extreme gore right at the end. Snowy landscapes looked attractive but far too much talking in boring looking rooms.

If you know Polish you must see the film. And you will understand that everything you've seen before on werewolves was kids' stuff. In this film you have everything: love, hate, adultery, nice actors and most of all real horror. Your hair will stand on end. I guarantee. Have a nice fright!

"Wilczyca" by Marek Piestrak is arguably the most famous Polish horror film.Unfortunately this atmospheric flick is not well-known abroad.The action of "Wilczyca" takes place in Poland in the ninetieth century.Maryna dislikes his husband,a Polish patriot named Kacper.Before her death,she curses him.Her evil is transformed not only into a young countess Julia,but also into the wolf..."Wilczyca" is definitely a Polish horror classic that reminds me some Hammer productions.The film is loaded with traditional genre elements like tombs or silver bullets.The climax is surprisingly gory and the mood is quite sensual.Unfortunately its sequel "Powrot Wilczycy" from 1990,also directed by Piestrak,is nowhere nearly as good as the original.So if you ever get a chance to watch this film,don't hesitate to do this.8 out of 10.