Night of the Werewolf (aka The Craving) (1981) (2nd viewing) d. Molina, Jacinto (Spain) 93 min.
Originally titled El Retorno del Hombre Lobo, this enjoyably souped-up redux of 1971’s The Werewolf vs. the Vampire Women (which also starred and was written by Naschy) is directed by the actor himself (under his given name), and features one of the best wolfman makeups in the series, with great attention given to the lycan eyes and ears. Following a prologue featuring Waldemar Daninsky (Naschy, in his 8th iteration of the role) and Elizabeth Bathory’s (Julia Saly) execution centuries before, three college girls conspire to locate the dastardly duo’s final resting places and resurrect the fatal femme.
As the nubile trio’s leader, Silvia Aguilar makes quite an impression with her acting abilities and her god-given assets, both of which she uses to great effect throughout. Waldemar comes back to life as well and, after tearing up several villagers, falls for good girl Azucena Hernandez and defends her against Bathory’s nefarious intentions (that whole blood bathing thing). Good stuff.
Shout! Factory has given this delightful, full-blooded werewolf yarn the high definition upgrade it deserves as part of The Paul Naschy Collection box-set, an excellent five-film compendium that also includes Horror Rises from the Tomb, Vengeance of the Zombies, Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll, and Human Beasts, providing a terrific overview of the famed horror icon's career. The sterling audio commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn from NaschyCast is the centerpiece of the special features, equal parts enlightening and entertaining, but there are also several deleted scenes, the Spanish credits sequence (which still features the hilariously inappropriate theme music from 1977’s Tentacles), a still gallery, and the original theatrical trailer.
Night of the Werewolf is available now from Shout! Factory as part of The Paul Naschy Collection and can be ordered HERE:
https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/the-paul-naschy-collection?product_id=5041
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