An American Werewolf In London - Special Edition

I first saw this film when I was about 8 years old and it's been a absolute favourite since then (I'm so grateful there wasn't much film censorship in our house when I was a kid!) Before buying the DVD I had not seen the film for a number of years so I was really looking forward to sitting down with it again. If anything the film has grown better with age. It was made in a different era and is totally different in tone to more modern werewolf fare and it's better for it. There's a real handmade feel to this film due in no small part to the pioneering special effects of Rick Baker. Everything was done in camera and some of the work still stands up even in the world of CGI. The film's story is simple; two American hitch-hikers, Jack and David, are attacked on the Yorkshire moors by what turns out to be a werewolf. Jack dies but David, suffering scratches and bruising, is nevertheless infected with whatever it is that keeps the werewolf's bloodline going. The film has many memorable scenes that have since passed into movie folklore from when the boys go into the 'Slaughtered Lamb' and meet the weird townsfolk, to the first change into a werewolf that David has in his girlfriend's flat to the infamous chase scene through the London Underground. Every time I go on the tube I think of this scene! The film's pacing is perfect as are the characters and level of black humour shot through the whole thing. You actually feel for David, even though he's effectively the villain of the piece. As he slowly realises he is a werewolf, largely due to Jack visiting him in various states of decomposition basically telling him he needs to kill himself to lift the curse on both Jack and himself, he is also infatuated with the nurse Alex (Jenny Agutter) who looked after him at the hospital. If by some fluke you've never actually seen this just buy the dvd, at this price they're giving it away. Yes in some ways it shows its age but it represents some quality film making by guys at the top of their games who made the absolute best use of the techniques they had to hand. I should also mention the music which is awesome. There's some great versions of the song blue moon used in the film and all the music relates to the moon in some way. Elmer Bernstein also contributed a truly excellent and hugely atmospheric score for the film. An out and out classic 5 stars. "I didn't mean to call you a meatloaf Jack!"

When Americans David and Jack go hiking through the Yorkshire Moors, a bizarre and unfriendly encounter at a pub adorned with pentagrams isn't enough to put them off hiking on through the mist. Until an ominous howl breaks out, and something starts stalking them through the haze... This is the opening of the movie and it remains terrifying nearly 30 years later. The film hasn't dated in any meaningful way except for the fashions and transport of London, and it's at its very best if watched quietly without distractions so the quick-fire black humour gags can land, and the masterful tension can build. David Naughton is terrific as the confused and disbelieving David, Griffin Dunne is great as comic relief, and Jenny Agutter is charming as the nurse trying to care for her confused American patient. It's a masterpiece of tense stalking and suspense set-pieces, and director John Landis keeps the werewolf glimpses brief but shocking, until a climax in which we get to see it in full force. It's an astonishing work of special effects that fully stands up after all this time, even more so under the pin-sharp glare of Blu-Ray. Rick Baker's amazing transformation effects look even more startling and horrific in high definition, and the transformed creature also looks fantastic. It's an ingenious balance of razor-sharp comedy with deadly serious horror and thrills that works like a finely tuned sports car - thrilling, terrifying and satisfying. The best werewolf horror ever made.

I remember seeing this as a kid in the 80’s, quite scary, but mixed with dark comedy I’ll always remember that outstanding Werewolf transformation by effects wizard Rick Baker! The tension built up to that transformation scene was really effective I remember and the nightmare scene with the undead soldiers was just a random but great scene too! Considered one of the best Werewolf movies, a classic! I don’t care for the sequel movie in Paris!

This is a great movie with fantastic special effects for its time- and it is frightening AND funny. A great story with a good soundtrack. Very atmospheric. It is a classic movie which was well ahead of its time. One of my favourites. I watched it, then gave it to one of my brothers- the one who is deaf, because it is a very visual film with a lot of action to entertain someone who is deaf. It would be nice if he could hear the groovy soundtrack! In fact , it is so "good" ( what " Bad Moon rising"?) that I am going to buy it again- only this time, I am NOT going to give it away!

The mix of horror, suspense and humour actually comes off here ( it could have gone horribly wrong ). It's quite simply an entertaining film for anyone who likes his/her horror AND has a certain sense of humour ( it's maybe not the type of humour which certain of the older generation would appreciate, as it is a bit dark and not always tasteful - so it's perhaps not the sort of film you'd watch with your old granny . . . ). Some parts are gorey and not for the squeamish - but the obvious humour associated with it all sort of reduces its impact, I think. I was actually left, thinking the film is a bit short. Another 15 minutes would have done it proud. There we are - it is, however, a film worth having, and one worth watching again every now and again.

This is my all time favourite movie. I have had many copies of this film but keep lending it out to friends to encourage them to become as big a fan as me, woops! I was very pleased to find this film at such a cheap price, and the availability of Prime was an added extra. Product itself was the same old amazing movie but had an added special edition disc which I haven't had before. The film isn't scary, it has a couple of jumpy scenes but it's more gorey. But it's an absolute classic which everyone should see and as for the soundtrack.. one of the best! Highly recommend this film.

Fabulous film back in the early 80's, still a fantastic film now This dvd is of superb quality and with behind the scenes footage

Good but not amazing

Zeer tevreden mee! Nederlands ondertiteld. Cult Horror. Prachtig decor. Goede beeldkwaliteit!

Ungeschnitten

Loved it.

Bon film, peut etre que la meilleur de loups garous?

Esta película lo tiene todo, es una joya y una obra de culto. No se parece a ninguna otra película de terror. Imprescindible.