NAZARENO CRUZ AND THE WOLF (1975) – Episode 274 – Decades of Horror 1970s

This exercise in lycanthropic folk horror from Argentina catches the Grue Crew by surprise. Lulled to sleep by the slow, freezer-burn pace of the first twenty minutes, they immediately perk up when the Devil shows his face. There are several reasons to watch this film: brilliant cinematography, an excellent performance from Alfredo Alcón, entertaining supporting characters, fascinating folk horror, and a WEREWOLF! Bill and Jeff are joined by Scott Wells, who adds his folklore expertise, and Gregory Crosby, who contributes his usual insightful analysis. Enjoy!

NAZARENO CRUZ AND THE WOLF (1975)
Episode 274 – Decades of Horror 1970s

Quote: “It’s not good to laugh on Fridays. They say you will cry on Monday.” -Devil

Synopsis: A young man from a mountain village faces a legendary curse threatening to turn him into a wolf. When he falls in love at twenty, the Devil makes him choose between wealth and his beloved-or accept a monstrous fate.

Director: Leonardo Favio
Writer: Juan Carlos Chiappe (radio program); Leonardo Favio, Jorge Zuhair Jury (credited as Zuhair Jury)
Cast:
Juan José Camero as Nazareno Cruz
Marina Magali as Griselda
Alfredo Alcón as The Powerful/Mandinga
Nora Cullen as La Lechiguana
Saul Jarlip as The Old Man Pancho
Juanita Lara as Fidelia

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next ‘70s episode, chosen by Doc is The Werewolf Versus the Vampire Woman (1971), featuring Paul Naschy.

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