One of the first big budget, effects laden films to come out of France, Brotherhood of the Wolf became a runaway hit in France taking a reported $35 million in its first three weeks. Gallic pride was boosted by the belief that a French extravaganza could compete with the best that Hollywood could offer in terms of blockbusters. The film was released in the New Year and has therefore taken a long 7 months to make it across the Channel. But the film was obviously eagerly awaited. The premiere at the Cambridge Film Festival was sold out well in advance and a capacity crowd sat down in anticipation of feast of horror and swashbuckling romance.

Brotherhood, based on a popular French legend, is set in 1765 during the reign of Louis XV. In a rural province of France, a mysterious creature is terrorising the countryside, savagely killing scores of women and children. Desperate to end the growing unrest of the populace, the King sends in a renowned scientist and his Mohawk blood brother, in an attempt to end the beast's reign of terror. It is later discovered that news of the beast was spread to undermine the reign of the King - as a kind of warning of an impending revolt. So the King's aides decide that the way to combat the 'mythical' beast is to kill a wolf and claim that the dead animal is in fact the offending beast. Unfortunately, while this works for the king, the real beast continues to take victims. The young scientist and the Indian return to hunt the wolf only to find that a mysterious force is controlling the wolf.

The Brotherhood of the Wolf is a sweeping historical epic with generous helpings of action, romance and horror. Perhaps it is here that Brotherhood's biggest drawback lies. The film starts as a horror film, switches to a sweeping romance and ends up in political intrigue and overblown action. There is a bit of everything but the film never seems to be able to decide what it wants to be and the result is a bit of a hotch potch. The plot becomes increasingly difficult to follow as the political intrigue deepens and towards the end the film does become excessively dramatic. Despite this though it's all put together with flair and panache. The cinematography is stunning as are the locations and costumes. And even when the wolf becomes dormant for a while the film continues to move along at a pleasing pace with plenty of wit and dashing romance. As a result the film is never boring and frequently great fun. In many ways the Brotherhood is reminiscent of a Bollywood epic - the leading men are heroic, the heroines beautiful and the villains typically villainous. It's escapist, emotional and extravagant but enjoyable nevertheless. The Wolf itself is a curious animal and despite the efforts of Jim Henson's Creature shop the CGI realised creature is less effective when seen that when it is simply heard.

Brotherhood of the Wolf goes on general release in the United Kingdom next month and follows soon in the United States. Keeping in mind the disappointing summer fare, you could do much worse than enjoy this enjoyable gallic dish.