An American Werewolf in London (1981) (Limited Edition)

[sancho]

Originally Posted by darkness2918

The Arrow LE release of this movie will be the last version of this that I buy.

I keep telling myself the same shit every time that they release this.
This is one of my favorite movies, therefore, I keep buying it, every time that it is released.

[Robbie The Robot]

This has been a fav of mine ever since it scared the crap out of me as a kid. That great balance of suspense, jump scares and gore/horror. I just visited London and the first thing to hit my mind as I entered the tube is that great sequence. All pulled off with only a tiny dash of special effects at the end. I could imagine that maze of tunnels and escalators would be very creepy late at night.

Looking forward to revisiting this when I get home from my holiday. They really don’t make great movies like this anymore. Shame.

[MJD64]

Since B&N's 50% off Arrow sale tends to run concurrent with their 50% off Criterion sale, gonna cross my fingers this holds true this November!

Really hoping Arrow gives us the definitive transfer over the Universal releases, and as someone who was never happy with the 5.1 mix, I'm especially psyched for the offering of the original mono. This is such a terrific film, and only rises in my estimations any time I give it a rewatch...by the way, am I the only one who thinks some of the most unsettling violence in the film is all the car crashes and fatalities that occur based solely on the appearance of the werewolf in Piccadilly Circus?

[spudeus]

Originally Posted by MJD64

Really hoping Arrow gives us the definitive transfer over the Universal releases, and as someone who was never happy with the 5.1 mix, I'm especially psyched for the offering of the original mono.

I don't think I ever saw in theaters, but I do remember the blu's 5.1 mix being quite effective when they're out on the moors, and you can almost feel the first werewolf circling . . . just out of sight. . . That said, I am curious about the mono track.

[horroru]

Originally Posted by MJD64

Since B&N's 50% off Arrow sale tends to run concurrent with their 50% off Criterion sale, gonna cross my fingers this holds true this November!

Really hoping Arrow gives us the definitive transfer over the Universal releases, and as someone who was never happy with the 5.1 mix, I'm especially psyched for the offering of the original mono. This is such a terrific film, and only rises in my estimations any time I give it a rewatch...by the way, am I the only one who thinks some of the most unsettling violence in the film is all the car crashes and fatalities that occur based solely on the appearance of the werewolf in Piccadilly Circus?

Hey MJD, I always find David's nazi dream very creepy and unsettling.

(although not as unsettling as some of our mutual acquaintance's movie nights...)

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by MJD64

Since B&N's 50% off Arrow sale tends to run concurrent with their 50% off Criterion sale, gonna cross my fingers this holds true this November!

Really hoping Arrow gives us the definitive transfer over the Universal releases, and as someone who was never happy with the 5.1 mix, I'm especially psyched for the offering of the original mono. This is such a terrific film, and only rises in my estimations any time I give it a rewatch...by the way, am I the only one who thinks some of the most unsettling violence in the film is all the car crashes and fatalities that occur based solely on the appearance of the werewolf in Piccadilly Circus?

Nasty stuff! The cop that gets crushed between two cars. I like the quick shots of the marauding werewolf’s jaws snapping at people’s legs.

I haven’t heard the original mono audio track since the early 90’s, when I owned the old Australian ROADSHOW videotape. Can’t wait to hear it again.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by sancho

I keep telling myself the same shit every time that they release this.
This is one of my favorite movies, therefore, I keep buying it, every time that it is released.

Also a favourite title, which I’ll keep buying time and time again. I’ll get the 4K version too - with or without the mono - hopefully with.

[darkness2918]

Originally Posted by sancho

I keep telling myself the same shit every time that they release this.
This is one of my favorite movies, therefore, I keep buying it, every time that it is released.

This is one of my favorites also but I’m more then happy to stop at the Arrow LE set.

[MJD64]

Originally Posted by horroru

Hey MJD, I always find David's nazi dream very creepy and unsettling.

(although not as unsettling as some of our mutual acquaintance's movie nights...)

Agreed, horroru, on both counts!

I find all of David's dream sequences culminating in his first visit from Jack during his hospital convalescence terrifically effective, as well as containing some of the best jump scares in the film.

Still, David does get to make the acquaintance of the fetching nurse Price; who wouldn't fall in love with Jenny Agutter?

[Croweyes1121]

Arrow replied to my question on Twitter regarding the cheaper, non-swag version being available in the states. They said it will come out after the LE has sold through.

[u2popmofo]

Originally Posted by Croweyes1121

Arrow replied to my question on Twitter regarding the cheaper, non-swag version being available in the states. They said it will come out after the LE has sold through.

Crimson Peak took just under a year, I'd assume the same for this.

[sxerunner]

Last stop for me too. Though I might grab the inevitable 4K disc cheap and add it to the set.

[Ray Jackson]

I’ve actually never seen this picture.

I think I was somewhat scared off by the way it was always described as a comedy horror film.

While i’m a big fan of the original Evil Dead, I never really cared much for the sequel or Army of Darkness. The humor in both fell a bit flat for me.

Is American Werewolf in the same stylistic/tonal ballpark?

...or are they apples and oranges?

[Ssj3 Goku]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I’ve actually never seen this picture.

I think I was somewhat scared off by the way it was always described as a comedy horror film.

While i’m a big fan of the original Evil Dead, I never really cared much for the sequel or Army of Darkness. The humor in both fell a bit flat for me.

Is American Werewolf in the same stylistic/tonal ballpark?

...or are they apples and oranges?

You should just watch the movie and form your own opinion. Thats the only way to truly find out whether you like the movie or not.

[Retroj23]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I’ve actually never seen this picture.

I think I was somewhat scared off by the way it was always described as a comedy horror film.

While i’m a big fan of the original Evil Dead, I never really cared much for the sequel or Army of Darkness. The humor in both fell a bit flat for me.

Is American Werewolf in the same stylistic/tonal ballpark?

...or are they apples and oranges?

Apples and Oranges. I would compare the humor of AAWIL to Monty Python whereas ED has more of a Three Stooges physical comedy about it. I love both either way.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Ssj3 Goku

You should just watch the movie and form your own opinion. Thats the only way to truly find out whether you like the movie or not.

Thanks...that’s very helpful.

[Show spoiler]

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I’ve actually never seen this picture.

I think I was somewhat scared off by the way it was always described as a comedy horror film.

While i’m a big fan of the original Evil Dead, I never really cared much for the sequel or Army of Darkness. The humor in both fell a bit flat for me.

Is American Werewolf in the same stylistic/tonal ballpark?

...or are they apples and oranges?

IMHO, this is the only horror film that gets the horror and comedy completely right flawlessly. The horror is scary and the comedy is hilarious and never feels forced or off balanced. Very different from Evil Dead. Evil Dead is goofier.

[Bobbyjoe766]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I’ve actually never seen this picture.

I think I was somewhat scared off by the way it was always described as a comedy horror film.

While i’m a big fan of the original Evil Dead, I never really cared much for the sequel or Army of Darkness. The humor in both fell a bit flat for me.

Is American Werewolf in the same stylistic/tonal ballpark?

...or are they apples and oranges?

I like the original The Evil Dead, I can’t stand the sequels. The 1987 film is vastly overrated.

I think you’ll enjoy An American Werewolf in London. Imo, it has the best (most terrifying) werewolf committed to celluloid. The humour works for the film and never goes overboard.

[Shingster]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

I’ve actually never seen this picture.

I think I was somewhat scared off by the way it was always described as a comedy horror comedy.

While i’m a big fan of the original Evil Dead, I never really cared much for the sequel or Army of Darkness. The humor in both fell a bit flat for me.

Is American Werewolf in the same stylistic/tonal ballpark?

...or are they apples and oranges?

Apples and Oranges. AoD is a camp, spoofy adventure-horror-comedy. AWiL is simply a quippy, peppy horror film that doesn't take itself too seriously. It came out a little before the horror films in the 80s started to have a little fun within the confines of the genre and horror films that were schlocky and witty, but not all out comedy-horror, became more common; so it always got labelled as a sort of mash up of horror & comedy, but it's not really, it's a witty, fun, horror film first and foremost.

[yellowcakeuf6]

Originally Posted by Shingster

Apples and Oranges. AoD is a camp, spoofy adventure-horror-comedy. AWiL is simply a quippy, peppy horror film that doesn't take itself too seriously. It came out a little before the horror films in the 80s started to have a little fun within the confines of the genre and horror films that were schlocky and witty, but not all out comedy-horror, became more common; so it always got labelled as a sort of mash up of horror & comedy, but it's not really, it's a witty, fun, horror film first and foremost.

I remember when I saw it in '81 there was laughter immediately when the well known old song was the opening music. No one was laughing after the first attack though. The concept, or the way Landis did this film, was sort of new back then. The combination of the sometimes goofy comedy (the second cop in the Dr.'s office fumbling around), and the extremely violent and gory horror hadn't been done like this before. The transformation was totally new. I remember it was strange to be laughing one minute, and totally horrified the next.