<PAGE>
JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT U,
JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT V,
JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT S,
AND
JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE ACCOUNT UV
SUPPLEMENT DATED JULY 22, 1998
TO PROSPECTUSES DATED MAY 1, 1998
The above-captioned prospectuses (the "Prospectuses") are hereby amended
and supplemented as follows:
FUND NAME
Effective July 1, 1998, the name of the Edinburgh Overseas Equity Fund was
changed, pursuant to a vote of the majority of the Directors of the M Fund,
Inc., to Brandes International Equity Fund (the "Brandes Fund"). REFERENCES TO
THE EDINBURGH OVERSEAS EQUITY FUND WITHIN THE PROSPECTUSES, EXCEPT THOSE
REFERENCES IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SHALL HEREINAFTER BE DEEMED TO BE
REFERENCES TO THE BRANDES INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Effective July 1, 1998, Brandes Investment Partners, L.P. ("Brandes")
became the Portfolio Manager to the Brandes Fund. Edinburgh Fund Managers plc
will no longer be the Portfolio Manager for the Brandes International Equity
Fund (formerly, the Edinburgh Overseas Equity Fund). REFERENCES TO THE EDINBURGH
FUND MANAGERS WITHIN THE PROSPECTUSES SHALL HEREINAFTER BE DEEMED TO BE
REFERENCES TO THE BRANDES INVESTMENT PARTNERS, L.P.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
In connection with the assumption by Brandes of the role of Portfolio
Manager of the Brandes Fund, the Board of Directors of the M Fund, Inc. approved
a change to the investment objective of the Brandes Fund. The text that follows
supercedes the corresponding text in the Prospectuses:
THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE OF THE BRANDES INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND IS
LONG-TERM CAPITAL APPRECIATION. THE BRANDES FUND SEEKS TO ACHIEVE
ITS OBJECTIVE BY INVESTING PRINCIPALLY IN EQUITY SECURITIES OF FOREIGN
ISSUERS.
* * * * * * * * *
The above changes are being made in connection with the corresponding
changes in the prospectus of the M Fund, Inc., and are described in detail in
the accompanying "Supplement to Prospectus of M Fund, Inc.," dated as of July 1,
1998.
