I’ve just watched Dog Soldiers on DVD and I was amazed not only at the quality of the film and the amazing commentaries, but the fact that this movie has been so overlooked in the US.
I’m not sure what the situation is now and if it has been seen by a much wider audience now, but the US Producers are currently talking on their commentary and have spoken about the lack of US distribution but not the lack of desire to see the movie.
What’s surprising about the movie is that I’ve now seen it three times. Watched the movie, and now watching the second audio commentary, and I am still learning something new about the movie and the character interactions that I’d missed on the first show.
There really are some clever nuances and character links. Not only that the acting is superb with the hugely underated Sean Pertwee who is just an incredible actor. The script is spot on as well, with some of the most realistic dialogue I’ve heard, and perhaps that’s because it’s British. Then there’s all the references and homages to other movies. Just superb.
If you haven’t go watch it. Get it on DVD as if you like commentaries, these are two of the best I’ve ever heard on DVD – and believe me I’ve seen a hell of a lot.
For those DVD fans out there, what other recommendations would you make based on quality commentaries?
dmn. that’s a lot of great movie choices i’ve got to check out. hehe, cannibal rocks. i remember being banned form playing the video in my uni halls, because the girls got scared/sickened by the first few minutes of that film. i kept trying ot convice them tht it ws a musical, but they wouldn’t have it :(
as for dog soldiers, it’s a good movie, i wouldn’t say great though. there was jsut something lacking. it’s definately enjoyable though. it looked a bit cheap to me, so i never saw it in the cinema, but instead with a bunch of mates on divx, which was the right setting i felt. it was a surprisingly well done modern horror film.
as far as sequels go, i remember hearing the original idea, and it looked like things weren’t going according to plan, hence the dropout of most of the original crew. however reading about this sequel, it *could* go either way. very good, or very bad. i’m betting on the latter but hoping for the former.
Sorry to get OT again, but I just wanted to add that Cannibal: The Musical = Best commentary ever.
Just checked on that, thanks for that Mike.
Dog Soldiers II is on with Kevin McKidd back in the lead. The worrying part is that the writer has only written one other thing, before that he’s been a bit of a co-producer but a mainly a transport guy…
…oh dear.
This is a great flick. A war movie with werewolves. I can’t wait until the sequel (it’s on its way): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435633/ and http://www.upcominghorrormovies.com/movies/dogsoldiers2.php
Yeah, I’ve seen the Big Trouble in Little China, that’s good although just goes so off topic at times “how is your kid doing playing the guitar”?!
The Raimi/Campbell commentaries are great. The Kevin Smith commentaries have great moments, but by far the funniest commentary I’ve heard is Spinal Tap’s with all three guys, in character. Very funny stuff.
The worst commentaries: Family Guy DVDs. BOOOOORRRRRING
As low-budget werewolf movies go…You can’t go wrong with the Ginger Snaps Trilogy, especially the first entry into the series…It is modern classic of the werewolf genre with a nice healty dose of femine subtext…Dog Soldiers is a pretty solid effort, and is a nice riff on the macho marines from Cameron’s Aliens.
As for good DVD commentaries…you can’t go wrong with the Clerks, Chasing Amy or Mallrats commentaries. Fight Club has a good one with Pitt, Norton and Fincher. The Ghostbusters Commentary is hilarious and informative. The above mentiond Evil Dead II and Army of Darkness commentaries are pretty good, as is John Carpenter and Kurt Russell on Big Trouble in Little China.
“Shaun of the Dead is a comedy whereas Dog Soldiers is more a straight horror”.
I am really not into horror movies, maybe that’s why I passed up on “Shaun of the Dead” which I didnt know until a friend told me that it was actually more a comedy than horror. As for “Dog Soldiers”, I just want to know what its about.
I have noticed somethings. First off the original U.K. release has bonuses not included in the American DVD (I have the region 1). Second, there are now with the above comment four different U.S. versions.
#1: Film presented with widescreen and full screen with insert.
#2: Film presented widescreen only with insert.
#3: Film presented widescreen only no insert (the graphic on the DVD disc is slightly different from #2).
#4: Film presented (widescreen only?) minus extras.
Plutonick – Well they were werewolves and can only be killed with silver.
Shuan of the Dead is a comedy whereas Dog Soldiers is more a straight horror.
I don’t usually listen to commentaries unless they’re with Sam Raimi (Bruce Campbell too) or Tim Burton – don’t know why. But Dog Soldiers was quite good – I hope they don’t do a sequel though – it stands on it’s own very well.
LOL @ Bombadil
Everyone I know has seen it, I dont know why I didnt bother at the time. But yes, after your philosophical musings, I will now!!! *winks*
Simone, admitting that in certain places dooms you to a life of poverty and lonlieness, you might want to hurry up on that one.
This is your fault Richard, I might just do that Tesco DVD rental thing and watch all your recommended films such as this one.
Confession, I havent seen “Shaun of the Dead” either. *cries*
I liked the movie when I saw it 2 years ago, but I don’t think it’s a great movie. i can’t put my finger on it, but there was something lacking. Perhaps I was expecting something gorier, or hated the facts that the soldiers’ bullets didn’t do any damage at all..
I prefer Shaun of the dead
i was also pleasantly suprised by this, i rented it becasue i love B horror movies, and was presented with somethign quite a bit better.
I am very suprised there are other people who enjoyed it.
You would figure with the success of the Ginger Snaps series they would go ahead with them, just market them a little better.
That’s interesting, my first copy (mail rental) was damaged and I swear it had nothing on, the second did.
Something interesting I discovered after writing this but during the commentaries is that the movie was written and filmed to be part of a franchise. However that hasn’t gone anywhere as yet.
There are references that are used for future, and previous, movies.
Yea, I found this movie in the discount bin at Walmart, and loved it. I must have an older version, because it didn’t have any commentary on it…