one-nine-eighty "This is a murder mystery in which you are the detective... But instead of "who is the murderer?" the question is "who is the werewolf?"So the film starts, Lockhart is being hunted but soon establishes himself as the hunter, by the end of the film expect the hunter to become the hunted again both metaphorically and physically. He's basically an eccentric big game hunter who's rigged his mansion grounds up to help track a werewolf, who incidentally is one of the guests him and his wife will be entertaining during a full moon cycle. The guests include an artist, biologist, a musician, and werewolf expert amongst others. The cast is actually really good making this b-movie werewolf film actually not that bad, Peter Cushing, Tom Chadbon, Sir Michael Gambon and Lockhart all have a bit of experience and class about then. The latter, Calvin Lockhart brings a blaxploitation feel to the film with his own funky soundtrack following him and his undertones of ghetto attitude. I enjoyed the 'whodoneit?' feel to the film, I guessed who the werewolf was but ended up talking myself out of it while imagining random endings that would have been more creative. The 'detective' element of the film was nice to see, I can't remember the last time I watched an interactive film since the end of the 80's, however I read that this wasn't a planned part of the film, it was added after the film had already been printed, as such may not make much sense to modern audiences. This film is good for a rainy day if you will suspend your disbelief and just go with it, if you are expecting a grizzly werewolf, blood and violence then watch "American werewolf in London" not this B-movie narrative thriller.

NatashaHalloween The format of the "The Beast Must Die" is intriguing allowing the audience to be the detective. I also enjoyed the stopwatch; to make up our minds on who we thought the werewolf was, making us feel very much a part of the story and allowing for a deeper understanding to each character. I wasn't too impressed with the werewolf ,and was hoping for something more mutated than the image of a dog/wolf. On the other hand I did like the unique change from wolf to human, when the identity is revealed as it added to suspense as the image of the wolf disappeared. I liked the way it followed the murder mystery format, and thought it added a historical and chilling twist to the film. Although at times the dark scenes with the wolf were difficult to make out in it only added to the shadiness of the creature further more the mystery of the plot. I would recommend the beast must die to anyone who loves murder mysteries with twists and turns ,and who also has a taste for the human flesh loving Werewolf's.

JBStanden Totally unique in that the viewer gets a 30second interlude to put forward their ideas on the identity of the werewolf during the 'werewolf break' and all players, we are informed, are strong suspects.Star turns from Michael Gambon, Peter Cushing, Marlene Clark, Tom Chadbon, Charles Gray, Anton Diffring, and of course Calvin Lockhart, the characters accept the kind invitation from wealthy businessman Tom Newcliffe (Calvin Lockhart) and his glamorous wife Caroline (Marlene Clark) to spend a summer weekend at their sumptuous and beautiful country pile. All seems innocent enough, but on the first day Tom reveals his true motives for bringing them all together - to find out which one of them is the werewolf who has been wreaking havoc in the outside world - and Tom is hellbent on adding a werewolf to his collection of big game for which he has an infamous reputation of hunting down.Tom has invested in the latest technological gadgetry available and has had his house and extensive grounds electronically bugged to help zero him in on his ferocious, four legged target and the silver bullets that have been specially made for him will, he believes weigh the odds down in his favour to help him bullseye the beast.Risking everything including his marriage Tom digs out his trusty game rifle and gives the domestic staff the weekend off. Thankfully, later on he sees sense and breaks out the automatic - also loaded with solid silver projectiles.For a film made in the 1970s it really is worth a look. Other films of this era were still using fake fur fixed to the actors, whereas here they had the idea of sticking additional fur to an ordinary dog to give a renewed representation on how a werewolf might look.Car buffs will enjoy glimpses of classics such as a rare Citroen GS, Mercedes and Landrover LWB safari and then a car chase in which full use of the Landrover's off road capability is used. Tame by today's standards of special effects, but believable intensity from Lockhart in his role and other great performances from Marlene Clark and especially Tom Chadbon more than make up for this.Dust off your flairs and kipper tie and sit yourself down to a truly enjoyable 1970s classic. Oh, and a simple precaution: lock your door!

azcowboysingr This is a fun little film to watch late at night with a girlfriend...It is actually a fairly good "who-done-it" British style, but not all that scary for the most part. With some fine plot twists, and the infamous "werewolf break" added at the end, I enjoyed it a lot...The main things that ruin this movie are...1- the horrible 1970's Techno-funk music...(Now THAT is really horrible!!!), and...2- the idea that a black guy in England would have that many honky friends to invite or that he would have that much money without being a deposed African dictator...All in all, an enjoyable romp with excellent acting from most of the cast...but don't expect too much from it, just sit back and let 'er roll.