The Company of Wolves (1984): a Gothic Fairytale for Adults

The Company of Wolves  spins Little Red Riding Hood in dark and provocative directions.This gothic fairy tale, based on the story by magical realism author Angela Carter, is not your average werewolf flick.Directed by Neil Jordan (Interview with the Vampire), this modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood was nominated for four BAFTA awards yet quietly seems to have passed in and out of theaters.But those who saw it back in '84 and audiences since have plenty of praise for this wicked dream.Young Rosaleen is told by a wise old woman, "Never stray from the path, never eat a windfall apple, and never trust a man whose eyebrows meet." But those virtues are soon put to the test --especially the last one.And along with Rosaleen's story, we're told four more of Angela Carter's magical realism tales within the movie -- each delightfully unsettling or darkly comforting.Join me for this episode as I discuss grotesque but awesome werewolf transformations, Angela Lansbury's brilliance as the old granny, and the making of an entire forest from "about 12 trees on rollers."Directed by Neil Jordan. Written by Angela Carter and Neil Jordan. Adaptation by Angela Carter, based on "The Company of Wolves" by Angela Carter. Starring Angela Lansbury, David Warner, Micha Bergese, and Sarah Patterson.Connect with us on Bluesky:@not-ni-theaters.bsky.socialAnd to read more of Will's writing or check out more podcast episodes, you can visit him at: willturntale.com