1981
Universal Full Moon Edition DVD
I can still remember first time I saw this movie. It came on TV and I had loved werewolves since seeing the Universal classic "The Wolfman" back in the late 70s. Now the TV edit of course was missing lots of scenes. But still I fell in love with this film. And over the years I have owned it on many home video formats. Last year I found this loaded special edition DVD for $5. Or course I had to get it.
Two friends are backpacking across the UK. They stop in a pub and are told to not go out on the moors at night. But being dumb asses they don't listen. They are attacked by a werewolf. One of them dies. But the other survives. So the surviving guy becomes a werewolf. What makes this stand out is the friend that dies keeps appearing and over the course of the film is decomposing. Plus the transformation scenes are so well done. The first time I saw the lead guy turn into a werewolf I was shocked. This was nothing like watching Lon Chaney turn into a werewolf. I also love how the film is loaded with dark humor.
The DVD has a great commentary. Then also includes a very well done documentary about the making of the film. I think the documentary is as long if not longer than the film. Just the documentary alone is worth the 5 I paid for it.
American Werewolf in London gets a B+.