Wolfhound-Volkodav iz roda Serykh Psov (2007)

Directed by: Nikolai Lebedev | 136 minutes | action, fantasy | Actors: Aleksandr Bukharov, Oksana Akinshina, Aleksandr Domogarov, Igor Petrenko, Juozas Budraitis, Rezo Esadze, Artyom Semakin, Nina Usatova, Natalya Varley, Tatyana Lyutaeva, Anatoli Belyj, Lilian Navrozashvili, Andrei Rudensky

Making a fantasy film after ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a thankless job. You will always be compared to this and you will always lose this comparison. Critical people also always say that you have stolen ingredients from that story, while that is inevitable. Because let’s face it: all pop music after the Beatles hasn’t been stolen from them, has it? And if you are also made in Russia, you will soon be ignored outside your home country, as a film. And that’s a pity. Perhaps these things take some time. Wait a few years and then suddenly it’s all fresh again and you don’t have to compete with your legendary predecessors. And of course: ‘Wolfhound’ isn’t as good, just as grand and compelling and just as impressive in terms of special effects, locations, music, cast, et cetera. But the movie comes a long way. And on its own it is even a very nice film, with imaginative main characters, good action and a romantic note that has been worked out believably.

The cinematography is also well done, as is the music. Special effects are not that exuberant, but that is not necessary for this story, the amount of monsters is limited to a minimum. Everything is in balance and clearly serves the purpose of telling an exciting fantasy story. The main character, Wolfhound himself, is portrayed by a charismatic actor with a character and face that match his gruff role. He’s kind of like Brad Pitt with a frayed edge. With the beautiful Oksana Akinshina one has also found an excellent princess. Akinshina has come of age since her (also beautiful) role in Lukas Moodysson’s ‘Lilya 4-ever’, five years earlier. When she undresses for Wolfhounds and asks him to make a child with her, it’s hard to believe that he turns down this offer. But okay, for the dramatic development it’s right. The film is therefore not only a pleaser. No, the story has indeed been well thought out, which develops according to a carefully thought-out plan and every time leaves out just enough to keep the tension in it. And although at first the male-female relationships seem a bit old-fashioned and short-sighted, this is more than made up for with the appearance of the princess (a fact that is carefully postponed until the right moment). The princess is not only beautiful, she also has something to offer.

The tone of the film is a bit rawer than we are used to from Hollywood. We must also remember that we are dealing here with Russians, not Americans with double standards. If heads are smashed in here, we will also experience that and if a village is attacked by bandits, things get rough, where innocents are not spared. It is not yet enlarged in scents and colors, but it is clear that in Russia people are less bothered by a rating commission. In a way, the story of ‘Wolfhound’ has a lot in common with ‘Conan the Barbarian’ (1982), that old movie starring Governor Schwarzenegger. With the difference that we are really dealing with makers who score in all areas, without it being too obvious that that is what they want to do.

Director and screenwriter Nikolai Lebedev wrote an excellent script of the book of the same name and made a very entertaining film, with skilled actors, a well-run story that is beautifully portrayed and supported with cinematic means that are used in service. Except for a few moments, such as an encounter with a somewhat too jolly tribe of barbarians and a somewhat exaggerated ending, ‘Wolfhound’ is a very entertaining film and an absolute must for fans.