This review refers to the Mondo Macabro DVD of this movie, which is a fantastic-looking print, in Spanish with English subtitles and some interesting special features. An absolutely must for anyone who likes Paul Naschy stuff. Anyway, the movie --

Arguably, all of the Waldemar Daninsky movies are just retelling the same story. And it certainly feels that way for the first half of this movie. Beautiful girl goes to the countryside in Europe, locals tell her bad stories about a monster who lives in a castle, she goes into the woods and gets attacked by bandits, Waldemar shows up and rescues her, then she finds that he's the monster everyone is afraid of and dedicates herself to finding his cure. What makes this movie different, however, is the second half which is set in London (although it's weird how the Londoner's all speak in Spanish) and involves Waldemar seeking a cure from the scheming, lovesick grandson of Dr Jekyll. Obviously all of this leads in pretty much the same direction as usual, though.

There are plenty of memorable moments in this movie, such as a scene where the girl watches Daninsky transform into a wolf man from her bedroom window, one where Daninsky gets stuck in a London elevator with a girl at the full moon, as well as a fantastic climax ... you could argue this is in many ways actually better than Molina's big hit, "The Werewolf vs the Vampire Woman". Both movies have their merits and flaws, though, and it's hard to say which is superior. Once this movie gets going things move along at a brisk pace, making this one of the more entertaining Daninsky movies.

It does get a bit confusing at times, which I suppose is a side effect of this being one of the more original movies in the series. But it is interesting idea, apparently inspired by the image of the two-faced god Janus according to the Molina interview on the DVD. He also states that he does not consider this to be one of his better films, although he did like the idea behind it.

The Wolf Well, Waldemar is back in Europe living in a castle again, along with the obligatory witch and freak. And once again, the locals aren't too happy about his lycanthrope activities and form themselves into a mob with flaming torches to drive him out of the country, this time into swinging London. Some of the best Daninsky moments ever are in this movie ... such as a scene in which Waldemar's lover discovers his secret by watching from her bedroom window as he transforms in the moonlight below. There's another scene during the full moon London where Waldemar is in an elevator with a girl, which gets stuck (see second photo down). Needless to say, he ends up ripping her to shreds before making his escape. The climax which is set in a nightclub in London is also quite memorable (see bottom photo). Dr Jekyll conducts a scientific examination of Daninsky while he changes into werewolf form. The doctor notes that Daninsky's blood changes into that of a wolf during the transformation. He also mentions changes to the central nervous system and organic structure, and a change in the relationships between brain cells and the cerebral cortex. Whatever that means. Anyway, his plan involves injecting Waldemar with a serum that will turn him into Mr Hyde, who will defeat the werewolf within him. He will then inject the antidote that will destroy Mr Hyde. It does seem an odd way to cure a werewolf, but I've seen stranger methods than this for curing lycanthropy However, things don't quite go according to plan and Mr Hyde gets an extended stay in Waldemar's body (see third photo down). Jacinto Molina gives a great performances as Hyde (except in the street scenes when he starts to resemble Austin Powers), in many ways more creepy and frightening than his performance as a werewolf. Personally, I'd have thought that the wolf man would have kicked Mr Hyde's arse every time, but that's just me ...

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