526 : Clive’s Contemporaries – (1985) Silver Bullet

Jose and I love doing movie commentaries, but we have run out of films to cover!  The series “Commentary on Clive’s Contemporaries”   allows us to look in the background and see what movies were happening when these Clive Barker movies and sequels were being made.  We choose a range of movies, and you, the listeners, vote for which one we cover. This series was sponsored by our listeners in the 2025 Kickstarter Campaign, Clive Barker Podcast Presents Fundraiser 11 : The Patron Configuration and covers a range of years from 1973 (Salome) to 2024 (Night of the Zoopocalypse) and beyond.   

Commentary:

• 1985 – Stephen King’s Silver Bullet
• Directed by Daniel Attias
• Written by Stephen King

Show Notes

• Based on Cycle of the Werewolf (1980) by Stephen King
• Cycle of the Werewolf Illustrations by the great late Bernie Wrightson
• Video about the Werewolf Suit on YouTube
• Actor Kent Broadhurst Discusses His First Shot (HD)
• Behind the Scenes photos from Silver Bullet

Coming Next

• News and Interviews
• Book Club of Blood – Human Remains
• Clive Barker Character Portrait Plus Hellraiser 2022

And this podcast, having no beginning will have no end. 

web www.clivebarkercast.com

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Music is by Ray Norrish

All Links and show notes in their Entirety can be found at https://www.clivebarkercast.com

AI Summery of Zoom Chat

Ryan and José discussed their recent podcast episode on Stephen King’s “Silver Bullet,” analyzing its adaptation from the original novella “Cycle of the Werewolf.” They critiqued the film’s budget constraints, werewolf design, and narrative deviations from the source material, noting its blend of horror and coming-of-age themes. José highlighted the movie’s attempt to symbolize repression and the duality of human nature, while Ryan pointed out plot holes and inconsistencies. They also reflected on the cultural context of the 1980s, including references to gas shortages, alcohol can collections, and the impact of violence on society. The conversation concluded with a discussion on the evolution of television technology and its impact on viewership habits.

Cycle of the Werewolf Film Analysis

José and Ryan discussed the film “Cycle of the Werewolf,” based on Stephen King’s illustrated novella. They analyzed the movie’s plot, characters, and musical score, noting its adaptation from the original story and the performances of the cast, including Gary Busey and Corey Haim. They also compared the film’s portrayal of certain scenes and characters to the source material and discussed the movie’s atmospheric music and visual effects.

Analyzing Werewolf Movie Elements

Ryan and José discussed the motivations and character development of a werewolf in a movie, focusing on its justification for killing and its background. They analyzed the werewolf’s design and makeup effects, comparing it to other famous werewolf portrayals. The conversation also touched on the movie’s setting, characters, and casting, including notable actors like Bill Smitrovich and Lawrence Tierney. They expressed confusion about certain plot points, such as the werewolf’s choice of location to hide.

Stephen King’s Werewolf Film Adaptation

Ryan and José discussed the film adaptation of Stephen King’s novella “Cycle of the Werewolf,” noting its blend of childhood adventure and horror. They observed deviations from the original story, such as the timing of the killings and the portrayal of the werewolf’s behavior. José explained that the novella consists of 12 vignettes, while the film presents a more continuous narrative. They also commented on the film’s casting choices, including the appearance of a character played by a young actor, and discussed the film’s themes and connections to other works by King.

The Wolf of Wall Street Analysis

José and Ryan discussed the movie “The Wolf of Wall Street,” focusing on its portrayal of a werewolf and the townspeople’s futile attempt to capture it. They analyzed the character of the preacher, speculating on his motivations and the film’s depiction of his curse. José and Ryan also compared the movie to the original novella by Stephen King, noting differences in plot and character development. They concluded by discussing the film’s dream sequences and the effectiveness of its special effects.

Silver Bullet Discussion and Comparisons

José and Ryan discussed the film “Silver Bullet,” focusing on its budget constraints, choreography, and werewolf transformation scenes. They noted the odd relationship dynamics between siblings and the character’s quick belief in werewolf stories. José and Ryan also compared driving ages in different countries, including Portugal, Japan, and the United States, and discussed the film’s portrayal of a character with a souped-up motorcycle wheelchair.

Silver Bullet Movie Analysis

Ryan and José discussed the movie “Silver Bullet,” focusing on its plot, special effects, and character development. They noted the quality of the wheelchair built by a character and the effectiveness of the werewolf’s transformation scenes. José pointed out inconsistencies in the movie’s portrayal of the wheelchair and the werewolf’s appearance. They also touched on the movie’s narrative structure, with a girl narrating from the future.

Movie Narrative and Character Analysis

José and Ryan discussed the narrative choices in a movie, focusing on the decision to have an adult narrate rather than a child, which they felt might have made the story seem less threatening. They analyzed the portrayal of the town’s inhabitants as unusual-looking, attributing it to the film’s attempt to create an atmosphere of paranoia. The conversation also touched on the film’s budget, casting choices, and the use of tropes, with José and Ryan expressing a preference for more relatable, average-looking actors in movies. They questioned the logic of certain plot points, such as the priest’s missing eye and the sheriff’s decision to investigate alone, and discussed the film’s representation of repression through the werewolf character.

Silver Bullet: Priest’s Justification

Ryan and José discussed the symbolism and themes in the movie “Silver Bullet,” focusing on the priest’s character and his justification for murder. They analyzed the tension in a scene where a disabled child is trapped and threatened, and the priest’s attempt to justify his actions. The conversation also touched on the movie’s availability for streaming and rental, as well as the sheriff’s investigation into werewolf-related murders.

Gun Violence and Werewolf Lore

Ryan and José discussed the high rate of gun violence in Cleveland compared to José’s home country, where such incidents are rare. They also talked about the movie “The Howling,” including its werewolf lore, the making of the silver bullet, and the challenges faced during production. José mentioned that the actor Everett McGill played both the Reverend and the werewolf in the movie. They briefly touched on the concept of a silver bullet in werewolf lore and compared it to the more complex lore surrounding vampires.

Horror Films and Podcast Plans

Ryan and José discussed the film Silver Bullet, analyzing its plot, special effects, and the performance of Gary Busey, who performed his own stunts. They also talked about other horror films and their experiences with them, including Return to Oz and Re-Animator. José mentioned receiving a sealed book related to the film Hellraiser and shared insights from its director’s commentary. They concluded by discussing upcoming podcast plans, including interviews, character portraits, and a review of the new Hellraiser 2022 release on 4K Blu-ray.

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