Scotland seems like such an interesting country with its joyful plaids, charming local liquors, swaying kilts and love of bagpipes. But who knew that in a land that gave us the sweet Scotland terrier could come a nightmare as found in Dog Soldiers? The movie has become a cult horror favorite since its release in 2002. A few of the main actors ended up in Gotham, Grey’s Anatomy and Game of Thrones. This is a movie that gets deep into fears. What’s worse than encountering a bagpiper in Scotland? How about a group of werewolves that aren’t wearing kilts? Dog Soldiers: Collector’s Edition is a 20th celebration of the film and upgrades the image to 4K UHD.
A couple goes camping in the Scottish Highlands for a romantic getaway. During the night, their tent flap unzips, a hand grabs the woman by leg and drags her out and eventually the stranger kills the guy. In another woods, Cooper (Trainspotting‘s Kevin McKidd) finds himself being chased in the night. He’s captured, but not killed. He has failed the audition to join special forces unit. Weeks later, Cooper and a crew of five soldiers are dropped into the Scottish Highlands as part of a training mission. They are led by Sergeant Harry G. Wells (Gotham‘s Sean Pertwee) and are supposed to find a Special Air Services team. During their first night, a dead cow comes flying down on them. This is where we learn that the unit only has blanks in their rifles. This isn’t a good thing when they discover the rival units spread out in the woods. The only survivor is Captain Ryan (Game of Thrones‘ Liam Cunningham). Before they can figure out what happened to the other unit, they are attacked by a hairy creature. The soldiers retreat and are rescued by Megan (Emma Cleasby). They load up in her Range Rover and get taken to a nearby country house where a doctor is living. Except he’s not around. But what is around is more of the creatures that attacked them. They learn from Captain Ryan the true nature of this field exercise and how it involved the beasts lurking in the Highlands.
The special effects are top notch including when a soldier loses their guts after impaling themselves on a tree branch. There’s an even more disturbing moment when a pet dog decides to use the small intestine as a pull toy. This alone should make it a must watch for fans of “Spam in a Cabin” films. The werewolves are hairy and intimidating as they race around the woods trying to get into the house. The cast doesn’t allow itself to vanish in the mayhem and special effects. You feel for them as they meet their fates.
Dog Soldiers is an intense film that doesn’t dawdle in the woods. Pretty much after the sweet moment in the woods with the doomed couple, it’s either action or high pressure coming off the screen. It’s a hairy crucible with Scottish accents. Dog Soldiers goes up there with The Howling and An American Werewolf In London.
The video is 1.85:1 anamorphic. The 4K restoration was from the original camera negative and approved by the director and cinematographer. This transfer looks so much better than the original DVD that was so murky. The audio is 5.1 DTS-HD MA and 2.0 DTS-HD MA. The dialogue doesn’t get messed up by the bullets and howls. The movie is subtitles in English in case you have accent issues.
DISC ONE (4K UHD):
Audio Commentary with Writer and Associate Professor of Film Alison Peirse gets into the history of werewolves.
Audio Commentary with Director Neil Marshall has him discuss what went into bringing his script to the screen after a long six-year ordeal. He praises his cast.
Audio Commentary with Producers David Allen and Brian O’Toole discuss what brought them to the project and elements of production you don’t normally consider.
DISC TWO (BLU-RAY):NEW 4K Restoration from The Original Camera Negative By Second Sight Films – Approved by Director Neil Marshall And Director Of Photography Sam McCurdy
NEW Audio Commentary With Writer And Associate Professor Of Film Alison Peirse
Werewolves, Crawlers, Cannibals And More (38:26) is an interview with Neil Marshall. He goes over how it took six years to make the movie. He talks about his dad’s influence in getting him into watching movies. He was woken up one night by his dad to watch a Frankenstein film. He also points out his family’s involvement with Newcastle brewery.
A History Of Lycanthropy (33:21) lets author Gavin Baddeley get into Werewolf Cinema. He discusses how the “Video Nasties” purge ruined the horror movie scene in England outside of A Company of Wolves and An American Werewolf in London. Things didn’t get better in the ’90s. He was excited when Dog Soldiers showed up in the theaters.
Werewolves, Folklore And Cinema (23:24) is a video Essay by author Mikel J. Koven. He goes back to the original Wolf Man movie and brings up the poem about the werewolves.
Audio Commentary With Director Neil Marshall
Audio Commentary With Producers David Allen And Brian O’Toole
Werewolves Vs. Soldiers (61:51) is a comprehensive look at The Making Of Dog Soldiers. The interviews include Director Neil Marshall, Producers Christopher Figg and Keith Bell, Actors Kevin McKidd, Sean Pertwee, Darren Morfitt, Leslie Simpson and Emma Cleasby, Special Effects Artist Bob Keen and others. They get deep into how they made a hairy adventure in a country that wasn’t Scotland.
A Cottage In The Woods (13:26) has Production Designer Simon Bowles get into how he constructed the main set. He used his family’s cottage to get ideas for textures. He shows off the original model.
Trailers (5:02) includes the UK Theatrical Trailers and U.S. Home Video Promo. They don’t hold back on the nightmare with claws, fangs, bullets and blood.
Combat (7:37) is a short film by Neil Marshall. The movie mixes the sound effects of a war film with a night at the bar.
Dog Soldiers Photo Gallery (4:57) includes the press photos and posters.
Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery (4:30) has photos from working out the special effects and sets. There are notes from Special Effects Artist Dave Bonneywell and production designer Simon Bowles. This really helps understand what the photos are about.
Scream Factory presents Dog Soldiers: Collector’s Edition. Directed by Neil Marshall. Screenplay by Neil Marshall. Starring Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby, Liam Cunningham, Thomas Lockyer, Darren Morfitt, Chris Robson & Leslie Simpson. Running Time: 105 Minutes. Rating: Rated R. Release Date: August 23, 2022.
