The Howling

Co-writer John Sayles and director Joe Dante have huge fun turning werewolf clichés on their head in this rare beast - a horror film that gore fans and film buffs can enjoy. For the former, there is Rob Bottin's amazing make-up and a witty plot in which a sceptical TV journalist (Dee Wallace) uncovers a werewolf colony that's trying - unsuccessfully - to tame its animal instincts. And, for the latter, Dante touches his cap to monster greats of the past by naming key characters after cult horror directors such as Terry (Terence) Fisher and Fred (Freddie) Francis, and finding cameos for such genre alumni as Kevin McCarthy, Dick Miller and Roger Corman.