SHOT on a miniscule budget, Neil Marshall's werewolf horror flick splices gore and lashings of blood, with a sick and twisted sense of humour.

A squad of British Army officers, led by gung-ho Sergeant Wells (Pertwee), takes part in a routine military exercise on the Scottish Highlands.

Rifleman Lawrence Cooper (McKidd), Corporal Bruce Campbell (Thomas Lockyer), Joe Kirkley (Chris Robson), Terry Milburn (Joe Simpson) and Phil Witherspoon (Darren Morfitt) are dismissive of the exercise.

They would rather be at home, sitting in front of the television to watch the vital World Cup football match between England and Germany.

Midway through the operation, the men stumble on a pile of human remains, and injured Captain Ryan (Cunningham), who appears to have been attacked by an animal.

Wells and his men soon find themselves under attack from giant, wolf-like creatures.

The squad seeks refuge in a rickety farmhouse, where a plucky zoologist (Emma Cleasby) reveals the horrifying truth about the beasts, which patrol the surrounding wilderness.

Dog Soldiers is a triumph of invention over slick special effects, and puts to shame some of Hollywood's more recent efforts.

Writer-director Marshall moulds his film on Aliens and Jaws, trapping his players within the claustrophobic confines of the farmhouse, from which there is no escape.

He keeps the werewolves hidden for the first half of the picture and then employs clever lighting when the beasts finally attack.

Pertwee hams it up with obvious glee and has all of the best lines.

The scene where he looks down at the intestines spilling from his stomach, and utters "Sausages!" is a showstopper.

Action sequences are briskly shot and edited, and make intelligent use of the limited locations.

The small budget really shows during the final showdown, but that's all part of Dog Soldier's charm.

A rollicking ride for late night multiplex crowds. Though you may want to give the hot dogs a miss . . .

Rating: 7 out of 10