The Pack (1977)

Directed by Robert Clouse [Other horror films: Deadly Eyes (1982)]

I don’t remember too much from the first time I saw this film, but revisiting it was quite the pleasant experience, as The Pack does pack a nice punch, and while dry at times, has some solid action come the final thirty minutes.

Based on a novel of the same name by David Fisher, the story is decently simple, and features a bunch of people on a small island trying to survive when a pack of wild dogs starts going after their previous best friends. Being a 70’s film, it can be dry at times, and it can be quite somber, but it’s actually not as hard to watch as other dog-related horror (White Dog is what immediately comes to mind), and the final scene is quite heart-warming (and it freezes on that frame as the credits start rolling).

The suspense is done quite well here, as are the multiple dog attacks. It’s not a violent film, but we do see the aftermath of one attack, in which a man loses all the fingers on one of his hands, most of the fingers on the other, and his eyesight. It’s pretty brutal, and I dug it. Also, while trying to avoid the pack, another individual takes a dive off a cliff, and though we don’t see the impact, we do see how successful the landing was, which also looked brutal.

Only a couple of performances really matter. Joe Don Baker (Wacko) makes a strong lead, and though I don’t really know the actor, I thought he definitely did well. Richard B. Shull has his moments, and R.G. Armstrong (who I recognized quickly from Children of the Corn) was a strong addition also.

Truth be told, there’s not too much to The Pack. It’s a solidly-made film, and though it takes a little bit to get going, it’s not near as dry as other films from the period can be (when I recalled it took place on an island, I got horrible flashbacks to The Food of the Gods, but luckily, The Pack is so much better).

With an exciting finale, plenty of good dog vs. human action, and quality suspense at times, The Pack has a decent amount going for it. It’s not an amazing movie, but it is pretty good, and certainly worth a watch.

7.5/10