American Werewolf in London [VHS]

Ok, we're talking 1981 here - 38 yrs ago!! I don't mind dating myself - I was in college when this first hit the box office. The CGI generation most likely will view this movie as being on the cheesy side. If they did a remake of this movie in CGI, in my opinion it still wouldn't come close to the close-ups and effect of the werewolf back when this film was made. Gore being over-the-top? More like realistic to me. No different than a lion gorging on a fresh kill in the jungle. John Landis and Rick Baker had to be very creative in making the effects convincing with what they had to work with at the time, instead of CGI doing most of the effect. With this movie it's more than just the make up but also the lore behind it, for instance the people that the werewolf killed still walking the earth as long as the werewolf remained alive. So yea it's not all high tech by today's expectations, but I bet if you saw the same werewolf in this movie coming at you down a dark lonely street or alley, and you didn't know what it was I bet you'd be horrified. There may be something behind it though, ever heard of Skin-walkers? The one they did in CGI, An American Werewolf in Paris was good, but to me it didn't have the same impact as this one.

The subway scene is a moment of horror perfection. Hiding the werewolf and showing only an absolutely terrified man charging through nightmarishly empty hallways is good...but then it becomes GREAT. A wide shot from the top of the escalator -- the sounds of breathing, growling, and the hum of machines -- the American Werewolf lumbering its thicket of mass off in the distance..but not too distant.And the fact the movie manages to be funny without undermining itself is a minor miracle. Nazi werewolves, pop songs, and a porno theater with ghouls would collapse a lesser film, but instead we get a believably wild, macabre European trip gone terribly wrong. Of course the movie is set in Britain -- it has an old world charm where werewolves just might still exist, and it's a place where black, cynical humor can thrive. And that's what this movie has in spades -- an almost nihilistic glee at breaking poor, doggish David down.Even when it misfires a bit (in a movie with werewolves and ghosts, what boggles me is how hospitals are just cool with nurses taking patients home), it's a movie with a drive. It sets its problems, it sets its stakes [no, don't worry, no vampires], and then sets all hell loose. An American Werewolf in London is a wonderful throwback to the childish glee of just letting monsters rip people apart, and the poor SOB who deals with the morning after.

I remember the first time I saw American Werewolf in London back when I was much younger. I watched it again just recently and I have to say it still really holds up as one of the great werewolf movies of all time. The creature effects at the time were cutting edge, and even now watching David Naughton's first transformation into the wolf brought this geeky smile to my face. And the gore - the gore is so over the top, you can't help but laugh at it now but when this first came out I imagine it was way more horrifying. It was really a joy to find this again, this is a movie I could watch over and over.

A very good movie with great collectors items inside!

Three stars on my scale means an average movie that you wouldn't regret paying for at the cinema.That said, this is a classic horror movie and was well made for its time. In our age of CGI and digital effects, it's very easy to dismiss older films as being "hokey" or "unrealistic," but there is also something visceral to them. American Werewolf in London is one of those films that has enough corny sensibility that it doesn't take itself too seriously while at the same time portraying some good horror tropes in emotionally evocative ways. You can watch this one for just good, classic, horror fun or you can pay a little more attention and see the personal horror of the main character, David, as he is confronted with the reality of being a monster. The first transformation scene is one of my all time favorites in werewolf cinema, as it is sudden, confusing, and ultimately horrifying for the character himself, even if modern audiences might get a chuckle or two out of the effects. The makeup and costuming are actually quite well crafted and it's worth noting while you watch that absolutely none of this was done with computers. What you see is painstaking time and attention spent on creating an illusion with actual, material, costuming and make up effects.This is definitely a film worth keeping in your collection if you like horror. Maybe best avoided if you're not keen on blood and gore.

Am not going to bore you about the film, their are much better reviews on Amazon who can tell you better than me. This is just a short review, and some pictures of this brilliant Box-set, and to say the picture quality is just beautiful. Thank you Arrow for this wonderful release, you do get your moneys worth.

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!

This film has had a few "restorations" which have been hit and miss but with the Arrow release that's changed.The issues with previous attempts at restoration have now gone.There is no visible dnr evident,and the entire film is covered in a very fine layer of grain,which brings out all the fine details,and eye popping rich saturated colours,deep inky blacks and a fabulous "glow"which was unseen before.The limited edition box set includes a book,a poster,and postcards.Is this worth paying the extra for?Yes worth every single penny.

One of my all-time favourite movies, John Landis' comic horror masterwork 'An American Werewolf In London' has been given the definitive special edition treatment by one of my favourite boutique labels, Arrow.A beautiful 4K scan of the OCN has been supplemented by bonus features old and new in a handsome hardbox package filled with other goodies.At long, long last this popular culture masterpiece has been properly honoured - NOT by Universal, ironically, but by a small independent UK label. About -bloody-time.BRAVO, Arrow!

Loved this movie 30 years ago when I first saw it and wanted to introduce it to my media-studying teenage son. Surprisingly he loved it too (normally anything pre-2005ish gets a pretty rough ride!) What's not to like? Perfect story arc, coherent blend of comedy and horror, believable characterisation with all of the horror-story tropes present and correct, great soundtrack and of course the ground-breaking special effects that still hold-up even in this day of CGI (somehow it seems more 'real'). Get it, watch it and fall in love with this gem all over again.