Is anyone here a fan of American Werewolf in London?

[AdrenalineShots]

If so I just found a brilliant clip that I'd love your view on!

[punkarsenic]

yes! although... im not sure what a clap is

[spicy_sweets]

YEs but same
Clap? Did you mean clip?

[AdrenalineShots]

A clap is my typo! Should have typed clip! haha

Okay... I wasn't aware of this until recently but Elmer Bernstein (yes, THE Elmer Bernstein... Heavy Metal, Ghostbusters, Black Cauldron) wrote some music for the film... which John Landis didn't use much of... Bernstein wrote a whole suite for the famous transformation scene. Wanna See?! : )

[AdrenalineShots]

Oh and please remember folks this is an adult film so NSW etc. and this is just a YouTube link so use your discretion as to whether you should watch...

[AdrenalineShots]

Someone has rather brilliantly reconstructed the scene using Bernstein's intended music instead of the pop song actually used... what do you think

[AdrenalineShots]

It actually gave me goosebumps. Elmer Bernstein's music to Ghostbusters is one of my favourite orchestral scores of all time. I actually think the score makes the whole scene much more terrifying and dark, evokes a feeling of real evil. I also love the motif of the music used when the two friends were on the moors... like a small reference as to how it happened and perhaps a chance of hope.

[AdrenalineShots]

I think that it really captures the horror and pathos of the transformation, and the sheer pain. I get that the song takes the sting out of it a little so it's not uncomfortably horrifying... I think that both versions are brilliant. It must have been one hell of a tough call for Landis!

[skicoak]

I actually think the score makes the whole scene much more terrifying and dark, evokes a feeling of real evil.

But that would have conflicted with the general tone and mood of the film. Landis leaned into the absurdity of scenes to create a feeling of being off balance in the viewer. If he had went with a excellent but predictable piece then it would have just been a genre cliche.... but instead he worked to keep us horrified but laughing at the situations.

[AdrenalineShots]

Yeah I get that about upsetting the tone and keeping it consistent with the other pop soundtrack elements. Although there are some moments that are still all out horror without the pop soundtrack (the scene in the underground is just sound fx) so I think it may have worked... ah, but we'll never know. I do overall agree with you, but it's just enjoyable seeing an old friend in a new light, isn't it?

[skicoak]

but it's just enjoyable seeing an old friend in a new light, isn't it?

Definitely, any behind the scenes look that highlights choices in the creative process is like nectar to me.

[mariusthered]

im not a huge fan of horror flicks, but this is one on my dvd shelf. this version defiantly has a different feel to the other and I think I like it more. thanks for posting it.

[AdrenalineShots]

No problem, glad that you enjoyed it. Yeah, I really like this version as well. Bernstein was incredible he seemed to be able to evoke the supernatural in music in a way no one else could. That thermin in Ghostbusters which was used to great effect still haunts me and love the way he inverted it into high fantasy and whimsy in Heavy Metal.