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I first saw this in the early 90s on a vhs.

Revisited it recently.

This is the sixth entry in the Howling series.

While this movie doesn't have sufficient werewolf action or kills, this one is much better than the last four parts.

The villain/vampire (Bruce Payne) in this one looks more like Thoth-Amon (man beast) from Conan the Destroyer.

This one has an offscreen sex scene n a nudity consisting of one boob, thereby taunting Total Recall's three boobs.

Supremely strange sequel has an interesting premise (werewolf vs. vampire) but with a very weird execution. A young drifter drifts into town, just as a traveling circus arrives. Carnival barker (named Harker) is kidnapping "freaks" to use in his circus, and has his sights set on the young drifter who, just happens, is a werewolf. Big problem with this film is that it seems like there are too many genres played with: character study of the werewolf drifter, character study of the smalltown's people, love story between werewolf drifter and preacher's daughter, werewolf movie, vampire movie, werewolf vs. vampire movie all confusingly rolled up into one movie.

While the film does have some decent effects, as the drifter transforms into the werewolf during the full moon, what it doesn't have is a decent pacing, and a sense of humour. It also doesn't even have the benefit of on-location photography that the previous sequels had, and how in the bloody hell is any of this "based on the novels The Howling I, II, and III by Gary Brandner"?

Admittedly not to everyone's taste, but HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS blows the previous four sequels out of the water. Absolutely no one appears to have noticed, but Brendan Hughes here has simply re-invented himself as a reluctant werewolf carrying on pretty much where he left off as the stylish but caring Vlad Tepisch in TO DIE FOR..one of the best vampire films ever made!

Quirky this may be, hammily directed admittedly and with a musical score that sucks at times, there is still enough in this tale of a shabbily-treated gaggle of sideshow freaks to warrant a second viewing. Bruce Payne in the film before his cool-hijacker role in PASSENGER 57 plays the literate but somewhat inhumane carny-owner who just might know more about Brendan Hughes "condition" than he is letting on.

Several touching scenes and for the most part anything but a horror movie, one's enjoyment of this film is fully dependent on an inclination to listen, having a sense of compassion and a degree of awareness that not too many have.

Its NOT a great film by a long shot - its an interesting failure if anything but I for one, can find plenty to like about it. The cat scene for one thing propelled the film to a 6 to start with.

Oh boy...this is definitely one to bury in the back yard. I For those who are not fans of the Howling series...this will not win you over. From a boring, far from scary story to a werewolf that look like a cross between Centaur and a sheepdog, this moving has nothing that would make me think about recommending it.

At times you wonder if you are watching a Howling flick or a poor, poor remake of the classic movie "Freaks". Either way, the filmmakers fail to present anything new, exciting, scary, or entertaining.

There are a lot more movies at there worth your time. There are a lot more Wolf flicks that will scare you more than this one. And if it's freaks you want to see, watch the original. Throw this one out with the trash.

Howling VI: The Freaks absolutely sucks. For starters, the only reason I own this DVD was because Artisan came out with a double feature DVD of this, along with Howling V: The Rebirth. I needed to have the fifth installment in my horror library, it's a good one. I did post a review on Howling V, so if you are interested check that one out. Now, back to Howling VI, this movie is set at a carnival freak show with some hideous creatures, and the premise is between a vampire and a werewolf drifter. One would think that this would be an epic battle, but it's totally below expectations. This unsatisfactory film lacks any sort of highlighted special effects or a decent plot. They could have done a lot more with this and they didn't. I remember watching this movie late one night at my Grandparents house when I was a kid. I didn't like it then, and after viewing it again, I haven't grown to appreciate it now. I don't want to go on and on about this sorry picture, so I will stop. There is nothing here.

A villainous carnival owner (Bruce Payne) captures a young werewolf and adds the man into his traveling sideshow of human oddities and (as the title says) freaks.

Leonard Maltin said the film is "Intelligentally written, especially for this series, but pretentious with vague Ray Bradburyesque undertones". That may be fair. I would not have even thrown in the "intelligently written" part, but within the context of the series... sure.

The DVD & Video Guide 2004 noted that "Special effects that leave a lot to be desired diminish this really strange entry in the long-running werewolf series". Fair, and to put this in context, there are not all that many special effects.

Another reviewer stated that "H. B. Harker played by Bruce Payne is the one thing that makes this film watchable. His unrepentantly evil Harker is wonderful, aristocratic, neither over or underplayed." I will agree that Payne is the strongest actor in the film, with the strongest character. I actually found the film as a whole very watchable, though it has less horror and less werewolf than you might want from a "Howling" film.

The first 'The Howling' film is by far the best of the franchise, while it had imperfections there was a lot to like about it at the same time and for me it's the only one to be good. As a franchise, generally 'The Howling' series is not a particularly good one and the sequels were way off the quality of the original. The following three sequels especially were true to this, only the fourth film attempted any fidelity and even then it took itself too seriously while 2 and 3 were cheap overloads of camp.

'Howling V: The Rebirth' still wasn't particularly good but it was surprisingly watchable and the best of the series up to then and the best possibly of the sequels. Actually take back saying that it was the only 'The Howling' sequel to rise above mediocre at best. This film, 'Howling VI: The Freaks', also just about does rise above being that standard, after rewatching it, while also being wildly uneven and less than great. This is still nowhere near close to the quality of the first film, but like 'Howling V: The Rebirth' compared to the previous three sequels there are improvements here and fewer issues compared to the previous sequels (not as big quality-wise too).

Although not looking incredible as such, 'Howling VI: The Freaks' is still one of the better looking sequels. There is some stylishness and the setting is suitably eerie. The standout on the visual front is the really quite terrific make-up, the best since the first film, which was both inventive and creepy. The church transformation scene is one of the best transformation sequences of the franchise in my mind too, the film's most creative moment. The music is haunting and doesn't compromise the mood or is not used predictably.

One improvement over the previous sequels, and this is including 'Howling V: The Rebirth' is the acting. Found the acting ranging from subpar to awful in the previous sequels and it was not always a strength even in the first film. Here it is better than average, with the best performance coming from a menacing Bruce Payne, clearly enjoying every second playing the film's most interesting character without going over-the-top. Found myself interested in the characters and not being bored or annoyed by them. There are some unsettling and atmospheric moments with the film boasting the most original concept of the franchise, some of the script is thought-provoking and like the fifth film it isn't as aimless or as padded as the previous three sequels, it does feel like something is happening. The clash of the werewolf and freaks scenes are staged reasonably well, with a fun climax, at least there wasn't any goofiness.

Limitations do show in the budget though. The special effects are occasionally decent but on the most part they are pretty shoddy, with an odd looking werewolf. Due to very unimaginative and sometimes static direction, apparent in some dull stretches and the camera work not being as expansive or varied as it could have been, some of the film has a drab look. The script has moments but could have had more personality injected into it, a little wit would have helped so that it didn't come over as overly-serious.

Because that was a problem here in 'Howling VI: The Freaks'. Did appreciate that it didn't get excessive on the campiness or silliness like the second and third films did, but like the fourth film it took itself too seriously, even for a film that had a more serious subject. Some of the pace could have done with more tightening and the tension and suspense could have come more consistently. The film could have done with trying a little less too hard, some great ideas here but also too many and not all fully realised. Also with doing more with the basic concept, with more werewolf and a little less focus on the freaks despite them being well characterised, it's all to do with balance, more freshness and surprises wouldn't have gone amiss because a lot of the storytelling is pretty ordinary and predictable considering the concept.

In conclusion, could have been better but by 'The Howling' sequel standards like the fifth film this was watchable. 5/10

This definitely falls under the category of "straight to video" - wooden acting, unbelievable plot line, and the picture is all kind-of "fluffy", showing a cinematographer who hasn't been to cinematographer school. This came out at the time when it was cool to have a couple of British actors in your cast - perhaps the US government relaxed the work visa situation in light of Anthony Hopkins's win for best actor in Silence of the Lambs. Anyway, back to this movie, and the reason I gave it a category 2 instead of 1 was the only redeeming factor, an unusually generous performance by Bruce Payne, for a change, not attempting to be the center of attention. What next? Howling 25, starring a has-been McAuley Culkin as the sheriff who saves a high school from a rabid caretaker? Give me a break!!

I really enjoyed this film.Normally I don't like werewolf movies but this one is very entertaining.It might not be scary enough,but it has really good characters.The werewolf is a good guy which is something,unlike other people,I enjoy!The real star of the film though is Bruce Payne who is once again amazing to watch as the bad guy.The fight scenes between werewolf and vampire are reasonably well executed.I don't like most of the other sequels to the original howling(especially that awful 3rd film)but this turned out to be much better than I had hoped.

Travelling circuses and freak shows have always had a part in the history of horror and in this sequel we get a good dose of just that. Led by the evil Harker, he wants to capture and exhibit his fellow Brit in the wandering Ian, who turns into a werewolf when the moon is full. There is also a love interest in preacher's daughter Elizabeth. As a werewolf movie it is pretty unremarkable. But it's the freaks side of this film that I liked, especially as Antonio Fargas is among them! Acting is good enough and it is an interesting storyline which also involves another classic monster, the vampire! One of the better Howling sequels, though that doesn't really say much!

Why ever did some fool follow up this werewolf series with a film that had nothing to do with werewolves. He had obviously seen the film 'Freaks' and thought he was on to a winner. He was not! Because the film that he made was the sequel to a werewolf franchise, which usually means there should be copious amounts of WEREWOLVES! In this final there was a lead character with a German Shepherd inspired transformation, from which nothing exciting or fun developed from. To some it all up, worst werewolf film ever!. Can anybody please tell me why some idiot made this film? Why they thought it necessary to continue this hopelessly lost franchise? and why oh why we are considering Hellraiser II to be an adequate cure for our eyes?!?

Only 5 minutes into the movie and the boom operator makes sure that his microphone can be seen in the picture. You know what you will get, trash. And being another entry in the Howling franchise this makes you wonder, is this going to be the worst. So far Howling III was the worst.

What I was wondering before I started was the effects used. Jason Barnett worked for the Todd Masters (Twilight, True Blood, Fringe,...)company before he went on his own. This is his first flick before he did the effects for Hellraiser Bloodline together with Kevin Yagher. He went further to MIB, Sucker Punch and so many other blockbusters.

But does it shows here that we had two masters at work? Not really, the transformation into a werewolf wasn't the best I have seen. Maybe they had more work to make the freaks. Here and there they show their abilities...

But what a terrible flick this is, country music as score...stupid script, especially the first 15 minutes. That until the freaks come in, a carnival of weirdos. Guess who joins them, yes, the werewolf. But even then it's more about painting a church and the carnival itself. One well known face to see, Antonio Fargas (Bellamy). He is in the carnival. This is really a boring flick with freaks to show and that's all. O yes, there was a werewolf, but not worth mentioning. Almost no red stuff or even gore to see.

Gore 0,5/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5

Well, after the abysmal run of parts 3, 4 and 5, then I was dreading sitting down to watch "Howling VI: The Freaks", but still did so, as I was bingewatching the franchise.

Turns out, luckily enough, that "Howling VI: The Freaks" from director Hope Perello was actually starting to turn the franchise back on right track. Mind you, "Howling VI: The Freaks" from 1991 is by no means equal to the 1981 first movie "The Howling", not even by a long shot.

The make-up and special effects in "Howling VI: The Freaks" were sparse and not really overly great. That was a shame, because a movie that includes werewolves and vampires should have great effects. Sadly, "Howling VI: The Freaks" didn't have that, and the movie was suffering from that. And the lack of proper werewolves, which was replaced by a hairy guy, didn't really do much to promote the enjoyment of the movie. You want to see proper werewolves when you watch a werewolf movie, duh!

The storyline in "Howling VI: The Freaks" was rather simplistic, as it has actually been throughout the entire course of the franchise. This isn't rocket science, ladies and gentlemen. You know exactly what you are getting yourself into when you sit down to watch a movie such as this.

It was nice, however, to see Bruce Payne in a movie such as this, just a shame that the character he was portraying was such a shallow and unimaginative one, because he didn't get to put his wits and charm to much use here.

All in all, "Howling VI: The Freaks" gets a four out of ten stars from me. For a werewolf movie, it was less than mediocre.

Working as a handyman, a drifter in a small town finds his relationship with a woman tested when the new carnival arriving in the town reveals his secret lycanthropic condition to everyone as a new act in the show, eventually forcing him to come to terms with everything happening around town.

There wasn't much to this one that holds it up. One of the best aspects here is the admittedly enjoyable series of setpieces and general overview of the interactions between the different aspects of the carnival. Looking through the various exhibits at the fair and what they entail, from the deformities kept behind bars to the dead specimens in jars and everything in between, this sets up the kind of atmosphere that throws up the kind of sleazy, low-budget huckster carnival that this represents. The flimsy effects trying to portray the various conditions of the others in theshow are involved with manage to complete the experience, much like the different attractions shown off to the locals that are shown off to help give this a nice bit of that atmosphere as well which leads into the fun finale where the creatures are exposed and given for a solid enough time with the town-wide stalking and some solid encounters here. These are enough to be worthwhile even though there are plenty of issues with this one. The main drawback is the immensely glacial and outright terrible pacing here that never gives the film a chance to get going. As this goes for nearly half an hour before even potentially introducing anything remotely horror-based at all, there's a long stretch where nothing happens as it tends to revolve around the endless subplots in play rather than go for the kind of interesting fare present. Far too much time is also spent in the middle of the film waiting around on trying to resolve the middling murder mystery about who's responsible when it's immensely obvious who was the culprit so the idea of wasting time on outside subplots to carry that section along just makes for a wholly long time of nothing happening. The pacing does get fixed in the finale, where it starts to pick up more energy and enthusiasm, but getting there is a real struggle at points. The other issue here is the generally convoluted and far-too-messy storyline where this has way too many plotlines going on. The idea of this one going for a dual storyline about the carnival boss looking for the guy and him sneaking around the town looking to keep his secret serves well enough as a fine enough way to keep the film going. However, to then bring up a bunch of outside factors involving the relationship involving the minister father trying to kepe his daughter out of his clutches, the relationshipbetween him and the carnival owner, and the different storylines about the town succumbing ot the vampire unknowingly unaware of the culprit behind everything are all far too much to incoproate in this kind of story. The lack of focus on anything means it never really develops any kind of interest in anything happening, and is also somewhat responsible for the generally slack pacing as well, and combined with its low-budget limitations are what bring it down.

Rated R: Graphic Violence and Graphic Language.

The best Howling movie was the first one. This, if you are counting is the 6th, although they use Roman numerals, so really this is VI, which is letters not numbers because the Romans suck. Obviously if this review is talking about ancient Romans and not about werewolves or film making that should be a clue to you about the quality of this film. Howling 6 is one of those movies where more effort was put towards making it a mistake than a success.

Years after I saw the Original Howling movie, I spend my time watching the entire series of sequels to this movie.

The second one was crap, the third one was a monster and the fourth one was one of the worst flicks I have ever seen.

So I think you can understand my surprise after seeing this fifth sequel, well... it was actually good!

The story has been told by other reviewers, so I won't do that.

The atmosphere in this one is more like a sunday afternoon movie, with not to much gore, but with sympathetic characters, and a innovative storyline, about a carnival director who in real life is a vampire.

I enjoyed everything about this movie, allthough it cannot be seen as a masterpiece or real good horror movie. Despite of that, I give it a 6 out of 10, because it's soooo much better than all the other parts in this bad, bad series.

The sixth, surprisingly robust instalment of the fecund lycanthrope franchise actively maintains a loyal following due to it being executed with more class than one might initially expect! Rolling ostentatiously into town not long after the arrival of moody, taciturn loner, Ian (Brendan Hughes), the flamboyant carnival radiates an irresistible fascination to the goodly folk of Canton Bluff. This garish cavalcade of genetic curiosities is managed by the theatrical, darkly charismatic R. B Harker (Bruce Payne). His movable feast of fabulous freaks charms the locals, the noisome ballyhoo obscures, Harker's monstrous secret! When locals inexplicably vanish, anxious sheriff, Fuller (Gary Cervantes) disturbingly discovers that the urbane, Harker regularly moonlights as a spectacularly sinister-looking vampire!

The kooky carny atmosphere is energetically complemented by its amusingly eccentric characters, with devilishly erudite, Bruce Payne essaying one of his more mesmerizing villains. Hope Perello clearly has an affinity for off-beat horror tropes, and his 'Howling VI: The Freaks' bounds along amenably at a cracking pace, and the fabulously fang-tastic practical FX are very special indeed. The toothsome Vampire Vs. Werewolf climax should make any avid monster maniac salivate! Fans of indie horror hero, Charles Band should appreciate the lurid lycanthropic lunacy of, Perello's lusty B-horror gem 'Howling VI: The Freaks'. Frankly, as modestly budgeted Part 6's to increasingly long in the tooth fright franchises go, this one 'aint the howler you might expect it to be!

The film is boring, but the scenes of the circus of horrors, for the bizarre, was simply divine, adorable... I liked the transformation, and as I am against it, I liked the look of this werewolf more than the first, I felt the "nervous" man alligator...

Right, firstly let me say the general premise of this film is actually quite good: If you are strange or unusual in any way, the world will not accept you for what you are, no matter what you do.

Other than that it fails miserably in everything else that it tries to do.

The basic plot is a drifter called Ian comes into a town, looking for work. The local preacher gives him a room and food provided he helps him 'do up the church', which he does. Whilst he is in the town a travelling 'carny' (as the sheriff likes to call it) arrives, which is actually a freak show. Ian is a werewolf, hopefully you are starting to get the picture by now.

Harker, the carnival owner (who we discover is a vampire) knows of Ian, and sends one of his flunkies to find out about him, and he sees him changing. Right now what can I say about the transformation. At first it looks promising as it starts, but then it just does not measure up, and the final result, if you can imagine, is Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation, with extra hair, and looking like he has had a rough night on the alcohol. It is frankly laughable. It is a shame as they could have done so much more with this. Harker kidnaps Ian and puts him in the freak show as he knows a special chant which will change him at any time and also means he can pin some murders on him that he has been doing in the town.

There are a couple of strong points, they are Harker , the macabre carnival owner is played well (although the quality of this actor is wasted in this film), although I cannot understand why anyone would want to make a blue vampire whose coffin is the inside of a settee with a lift up seat, oh yes it is!!!!! Oh and you simply musn't miss the werewolfs' amazing bendy cage!!!! The way the freaks are portrayed is also a plus aspect of the film.

Apart from that there is nothing good to say about the film, even down to the final sequence which should have been the biggie fight sequence between a vampire and a werewolf, um, needless to say it was poor to say the least. However if you want a bit of a giggle (I know I did), and to watch a film which is not going to scare you, then go for it, just keep your mind well and truly open, and accept the film for what it is. A low budget effort at something which could have been so much better.