This is actually a pretty good old made for TV film. It's not all that bad at all... the horror in it is more in the way of the thrills and mystery instead of the werewolf itself. It is interesting - quite a captivating story especially for a movie that was made for television in the 1970's.It's not a blood and guts film so if that is what you want then you might want to look for another werewolf flick instead of this one. If you like mystery-thrillers and werewolves with a story that is somewhat captivating then you might like this one.If you like this TV movie then you might like "A Howling in the Woods", "Trilogy of Terror" or even the awesome vampire film "Salem's Lot".I would rate Moon of the Werewolf a 6 but because it is set in Louisiana I will have to give the film an extra point.7/10

Daniel Petrie directed this TV movie that stars former "The Fugitive" star David Janssen as Louisiana Bayou sheriff Aaron Whitaker, who is called upon to solve the brutal murder of a young local girl that may be the result of a werewolf. Local legends point to this, and he becomes involved with the wealthy matriarch Louise Rodanthe(played by Barbara Rush) whose brother Andrew(played by Bradford Dillman) insists on helping Aaron investigate, despite his high position in town, a position that won't protect them as the murders continue... Good cast and location, but identity of the werewolf could not be more obvious, and approach isn't stylish enough to compensate.

Creepy little tele-movie concerning a highborn Louisiana family with a dark secret. After a local girl is found mutilated in a nearby bayou, local sheriff (Janssen) must use all his detective skills to solve the crime. His investigation leads him to an old flame (Rush) and her aristocratic brother (Dillman) who are both keen for the culprit to be caught, but for different reasons. Everyone's a suspect including the local medical examiner (Beradino), who can't seem to determine the cause of death, while the paranormal activity leads to more mysterious victims. Tense, with a sometimes unsettling mood, the southern tones and textures make this an offbeat little suspender that belies its meagre TV budget.The leading trio succeed with their characterisations and experienced feature director Petrie constructs an intelligent plot woven with effective twists and surprises. Appropriately, the romantic undertones between Janssen and Rush fail to flourish, and so the core narrative never loses momentum. Able support from Lewis, Dano and Chandler in particular, as the oafish yokels, suspects and victims, add capable depth to the cast & characters. Decent cinematography, apt dialogue and some effective chills ensure the end product is beyond the typical mid week tele-movie experience, and although the make-up effects are 'limited', this doesn't undermine the picture.Lycanthropy devotee or not, the occult themes shouldn't deter you from investing 74 minutes in this modest mystery, entertaining despite its small screen threshold.

"Moon of the Wolf" is a good example of a an early 70's made for TV horror film. This werewolf saga succeeds admirably due to the efforts of the cast, some good location shooting and a better than average screenplay (for TV at least). Actors like David Jansenn,Bradford Dillman and Barbara Rush do their professional best to put this story of lycanthropy in the south across and it manages to be both interesting and somewhat exciting despite some cheesy make up effects. It is a good way to pass an hour or so, and for my money is just as captivating as the kind of PG-13 horror fare that is ground out today to entice teenagers to go out to the multiplex.