The Beast Must Die (Black Werewolf) (1974)

39% of users liked it
(758 ratings)

In this little horror film, a wealthy sportsman (Calvin Lockhart) invites a house full of guests to a big-game hunt that he's devised. He's sure that one of the guests is a werewolf, and he intends to stalk it, find it, and kill it. As a film viewer, you are alerted at the outset that a mystery… More In this little horror film, a wealthy sportsman (Calvin Lockhart) invites a house full of guests to a big-game hunt that he's devised. He's sure that one of the guests is a werewolf, and he intends to stalk it, find it, and kill it. As a film viewer, you are alerted at the outset that a mystery awaits and that clues will be unveiled that can point to the identity of the werewolf. In fact, near the conclusion, the film has inserted a 30-second interlude during which you must decide, once and for all, who the hunted beast is. This film is based upon a story by James Blish titled There Shall Be No Darkness. ~ Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Paul Annett
Genres: Action & Adventure, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Apr 1, 1974 Wide

Critic Reviews

Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
The Beast Must Die is worth a look, as long as you enjoy unintentionally campy kitsch from the swinging 70s and werewolf myths.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
The Beast Must Die is a curiosity for fans of low-rent British horror flicks in the 1970s, but probably has little appeal to anyone else.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
This B-movie werewolf tale from British horror studio Amicus was a blatant attempt to compete with their equally low-budget competitor AIP studios.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
A good old-fashioned made-for-TV-style werewolf movie.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Ken S

Fairly bad Agatha Christie with a werewolf twist
Dr Blood

Possibly the most disappointing Amicus film ever. For years, I blamed Hammer for this travesty mainly due to Peter Cushing's presence. He's made to look like a complete pillock here though with long diatribes about what makes someone a werewolf which will have you laughing… More
Possibly the most disappointing Amicus film ever. For years, I blamed Hammer for this travesty mainly due to Peter Cushing's presence. He's made to look like a complete pillock here though with long diatribes about what makes someone a werewolf which will have you laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. The alternative title gives away the identity of the werewolf right from the beginning and for a film which relies on "Guess the identity of the werewolf" for the plot, that's a big mistake.
Barry L

Oh Yeah, absolute Cushing classic. And the beasty is great too.
Anthony V

Offbeat story and 70s flavor makes this one a winner.
Christopher B

This movie is the one with the classic "Werewolf Minute" for the viewer to guess who the werewolf is...in that case don't read the alternate title. What a genius title, it's like calling, The Empire Strikes Back, The Day Luke Skywalker Found Out Darth Vader is His… More
This movie is the one with the classic "Werewolf Minute" for the viewer to guess who the werewolf is...in that case don't read the alternate title. What a genius title, it's like calling, The Empire Strikes Back, The Day Luke Skywalker Found Out Darth Vader is His Father. Still the movie is a great product of it's time, especially the kick ass opeining.