Wolf Lake (1980)
A raw, tension-soaked thriller in which a group of war veterans' lakeside retreat turns deadly when their caretaker is exposed as a deserter.
Wolf Lake - Movie Information
- Original Title: Wolf Lake
- Release Year: 1980
- Directed by: Burt Kennedy
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Horror
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 8, 1980 (Germany - 16), April 16, 1982 (United States - R), February 8, 1980 (Mexico)
- Alternative Titles: Cacería humana (ES), The Honor Guard (US), Lago de lobos (MX)
- Production Companies: Melvin Simon Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Wolf Lake - Plot
War veterans visit a lakeside cabin for a week of shooting, drinking, etc. but find the cabin being looked after by a young caretaker named David. When David's status as a war deserter is revealed, all hell breaks loose.
Wolf Lake - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold at the lake:
The hunter. The hunted. The hatreds hidden too long.
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Wolf Lake - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Burt Kennedy
Main Cast
- Rod Steiger
- David Huffman
- Robin Mattson
- Richard Herd
- Jerry Hardin
- Paul Mantee
- Conrad Hool
Writers
- Burt Kennedy
Producers
- Lance Hool
Wolf Lake - FAQs
What is Wolf Lake about?
Wolf Lake follows a group of war veterans who retreat to a remote lakeside cabin for a week of hunting and drinking. When they discover their young caretaker, David, is a Vietnam War deserter, long-suppressed rage and moral conflict erupt into a terrifying confrontation between the men.
Who are the main actors in Wolf Lake?
Wolf Lake stars Rod Steiger as Charlie, the volatile ringleader of the veterans, and David Huffman as David, the caretaker revealed to be a deserter. The supporting cast includes Robin Mattson as Linda, Richard Herd as George, Jerry Hardin as Wilbur, Paul Mantee as Sweeney, and Conrad Hool.
Why does Charlie turn violent against David in Wolf Lake?
Charlie, played by Rod Steiger, is a deeply embittered veteran whose son died in Vietnam. Learning that David deserted the war triggers his unresolved grief and rage. He views David's survival as a personal affront, transforming a hunting trip into a brutal, morally charged pursuit driven by grief and vengeance.
Is Wolf Lake based on a true story?
Wolf Lake is not based on a specific true story. Written and directed by Burt Kennedy, the film is an original dramatic thriller that uses the Vietnam War desertion theme as a vehicle to explore veteran trauma, moral judgment, and the psychology of revenge in an isolated wilderness setting.
What is the age rating for Wolf Lake?
Wolf Lake is rated R in the United States. The film contains violence, mature themes related to war trauma, desertion, revenge, and scenes of a disturbing nature, making it suitable for adult audiences only. It was rated 16 in Germany upon its initial 1980 release.
Who directed Wolf Lake and wrote the screenplay?
Wolf Lake was both directed and written by Burt Kennedy, a filmmaker known primarily for his work in Westerns. Kennedy brings a lean, tension-driven approach to this thriller, using the isolated lakeside setting to amplify the psychological conflict between the veterans and the young deserter at the story's center.
What films are similar to Wolf Lake?
Viewers who enjoy Wolf Lake may appreciate Straw Dogs (1971) for its siege-like tension and moral complexity, Arlington Road (1999) for its paranoid thriller atmosphere, and Street Kings (2008) for its exploration of justice and corruption. The Scarehouse (2014) also shares themes of revenge in an isolated setting.
When was Wolf Lake released?
Wolf Lake was first released on February 8, 1980, in Germany and Mexico. It received its United States theatrical release on April 16, 1982, with an R rating. The film is also known by alternative titles including The Honor Guard in the US and Cacería humana in Spanish-speaking markets.
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