Seeing this in high definition (HD DVD) was like seeing it for the first time. I remember after seeing it at the theatre so long ago on a full moon, fumbling for my keys in the dark at my car and wondering when I would be attacked. The cinematography is beautiful and very sharp, and even the few bits that are soft and grainy are better than the standard def DVD. The HD DVD version also includes the frontal nudity shots of David Naughton, which seem to have been edited out of the standard def version (at least the one I have). Remember, David Naughton was the Dr. Pepper guy at the time, so him appearing nude and showing off all of his "assets" was part of the controversy of this film, along with the ground-breaking special effects and voluminous gore. This is classic werewolf horror, and I don't think it has been topped even to date by any other werewolf film. The high def version is the one to have if you have an HD DVD player [the one for the Xbox 360 actually will plug via USB into your computer and work without a hitch as a stand-alone HD DVD player. You'll need a graphics card and a monitor that can handle high def, and HD DVD playback software.]Read full review
I loved this movie as a kid. I actually had nightmares for 3 years in junior high school after watching it when my parents were out one night. I lived in rural Texas at the time. Now, about the HD thing. From what I understand, unless a movie is shot in HD, there's no reason to place HD on the box of the DVD. I watched it on both sides (one side says HD viewing) and I have an HD television. I did not notice any difference at all in picture quality. The other, there is an outtakes section, but there's no audio for the outtakes. That kinda sucks, cause in one scene John Landis is being interviewed. What was the purpose in placing outtakes if there's no audio?
Considering that this movie is over 25 years old the special effects are excellent and it was well made. It is a combination of horror and comedy and worked well for me. The HD DVD version is a bit grainy, but it is an added classic to my collection and contains extra, added commentary from actors David Naughton and Griffin Dunne as they describe the behind the scenes preparation, other actors in the film and what took place during the filming of the movie. I am happy I purchased this HD DVD and treasure it, as the HD DVD version IS more vivid then the DVD version and is one of the best werewolf movies ever produced. Serious collectors who enjoyed the original theater version will NOT be disappointed as I know I will be watching it again and it DID work well for me!
One of the best horror movies from the Eighties. This movie is able to mix comedy and horror in an innovative and clever manor. The characters are believable and the story is compelling. Even if you are not a horror fan, the satire and comedy alone are worth a viewing. If you have never seen this movie then by all means you should. With the release of the new "Wolfman" movie looming on the horizon, you can look back to a time before CGI, to when make-up artists really provided us with thrills and scares. If you have seen this movie (as I have, probably hundreds of times) it's worth a revisit. I give this movie five stars.
2 American backpackers get attacked by a wild animal. One is killed, the other wakes up in a London hospital. The dead one keeps hanging around and the hurt one transforms into a werewolf and wrecks havoc at night. What I always remembered about this movie was the special effects on the 1st transformation. Years later I sat down to watch it again and was not expecting much, there had been so many advances in special effects that I was prepared for the worst. I was worried for nothing. The effect is still there, it does not look dated at all! Highly recommended for horror fans, skip the sequel made many years later. And if you have seen the sequel but not the original - do yourself the favor and get this one!
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