La lunga pista dei lupi

HELLHOUNDS OF ALASKA is a German western shot in the Austrian alps, featuring a performance from likable American leading man Doug McClure. The best thing about it is its look, which is achieved thanks to the presence of Austrian director Harald Reinl, who directed tons of cult and classic German movies during the 1960s (including krimi, the famous Winnetou series, and the horror classic THE TORTURE CHAMBER OF DR. SADISM).

The story - written by Kurt Nachmann, who seemed to have plenty of experience writing sex comedies and dramas - is probably the worst thing about this. It tells an entirely predictable tale about some ruthless gold robbers who think nothing of committing murder and who occupy some prominent positions in the local town. When a fur trapped outsider (McClure) falls into the mix, he's naturally suspected of being the robber, so he must fight to clear his name.

HELLHOUNDS OF ALASKA sounds like a Jack London type adaptation but the only hound in it is an Alsatian, a loyal companion of our hero. I'm guessing the term "hellhounds" refers figuratively to the bad guys. McClure has never looked more rugged as the leading man, but the supporting cast is largely forgettable and the film is saddled with an annoying kid, which is a pity. Still, Reinl stages some good moments, such as a vicious encounter with an eagle and a lengthy, chase-focused climax.

Well I guess you have to be careful about movies you get 5 for $10 at Albertson's...but even so, you would think a movies a movie called Hellhounds of Alaska would contain some sizzlin' dog attack action, especially when the cover of the DVD has a snarling wolf on it. But NO. There was only one dog in the movie and he got shot for some reason. Once again this movie amazingly has NOTHING to do with wolves, vicious dogs, werewolves, were-dogs, dog wolves, wolfhounds, or lupines from hell. Caveat emptor. What you do get is a disjointed, poorly dubbed, and unintentionally hilarious study in trainwreck movie-making. Don't miss the pointless Indian knife fight, the verdant deserts of Alaska, wild vacillations between day and night scenes, and the piano player with one white and one black hand. My favorite is the worst staged bar fight of all time. Where were the MST3K guys on this one, it would have been perfect for skewering. Oh well, my friends and I did it ourselves. A worse movie...I don't recall.

This is one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen! There is a bar fight that reminds me of "Night of the Living Dead" and a jail break that could be a scene from the "Little Rascals" series! Nothing is interesting at all about this movie, unless you just want to waste some time!

And to think that on the cover it says "This is a movie you will watch again and again"! What sin could I commit to deserve this?!

Hell Hounds of Alaska is not as bad as some reviews make out and if you like a good old-fashioned adventure western,then I think you will enjoy this. The music is scored by Bruno Nicolai,who many people know conducted lots of Ennio Morricone scores. The main title,thus far unreleased is superb and reminds me of the style of Morricone's La Tenda Rossa/The Red Tent and Bruno Nicolai's own El Cristo Del Oceano/Christ of the Ocean. The other music in the film has been used before in Bruno Nicolai westerns.

I came across this gem of a movie in the "$1.00 DVD" bin at a local supermarket. I thought the title was intriguing and for a buck, I figured why not? I'm always interested in how outsiders portray our state. Boy, I had no idea what was in store for me! From the sprawling scenery of what could be Alaska/California/somewhere in Europe to the portrayal of a gold rush town and the Alaska "Indians", it is comedy gold. My favorite line is when one of the bad guys announces, "We head for the border...California!" That's quite a ride on horseback. And then there's the inimitable Captain Brandy, who seems destined for alcohol poisoning. This film is packed with high-quality cheesiness. Have fun!