An unashamed sense of its own fantasy is coupled with classically mounted slapstick; nostalgia mixes with cynicism in seductive proportions; and John Belushi's central performance as brain-damaged slob-cum-Thief of Baghdad is wonderful.
National Lampoon's Animal House (1978)
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Reviews Counted:38
Fresh:34
Rotten:4
Average Rating:7.7/10
Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: ANIMAL HOUSE is the film that launched National Lampoon as a comedy powerhouse. Developed by the editors at the Harvard Lampoon, the film is a collection of true-life experiences and memories with... ANIMAL HOUSE is the film that launched National Lampoon as a comedy powerhouse. Developed by the editors at the Harvard Lampoon, the film is a collection of true-life experiences and memories with a great deal of embellishment. Nothing is sacred in this film, in which every gesture, phrase, and song became de rigueur in fraternity houses nationwide after its release. Decadence, debauchery, and delinquency prevail at Delta House, the scourge of the fraternity system at Faber College in 1962. In an effort to rid himself of the troublesome brothers, Dean Wormer (John Vernon) hatches a plan in cahoots with the brown-nosing Greg Marmalard (James Daughton) of rival fraternity Omega to have the Deltas kicked off campus. Unfortunately for them, the determination and drive of the Deltas is more than anyone counted on. In their last stand against the uptight dean, the antiheroes of Delta drink, smoke, romp, frolic, and dance--going out with a bang. This outrageous, much-loved comedy classic features the first major film role of the late, great John Belushi as John "Bluto" Blutarsky, the hard-partying, beer-guzzling champion of Delta house. [More]
Starring: John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Tom Hulce, Stephen Furst
Starring: John Belushi, Tim Matheson, Tom Hulce, Stephen Furst, Karen Allen, Donald Sutherland, Peter Riegert, Kevin Bacon, John Vernon, Verna Bloom
Director: John Landis
Director: John Landis
Screenwriter: Douglas Kenney, Chris Miller III, Harold Ramis
Producer: Ivan Reitman, Matty Simmons
Composer: Elmer Bernstein
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Reviews for National Lampoon's Animal House
This was the first of those crazy-college-antics films and remains, in most ways, the best.
Growing old disgracefully, Animal House is every bit as good as you remember.
What's not to love about this movie? Its got frat parties, beer, good music, full frontal nudity, and John Belushi dressed like a pirate
The Lampoon people understand the darkest secret of an American college education: one of the noblest reasons to go is to spend four years studying sex.
National Lampoon's Animal House is by no means one long howl, but it's often very funny, with gags that are effective in a dependable, all-purpose way.
Almost everyone else has at least one funny scene to equal Belushi's greatest moments.
Director John Landis made a film that will probably remain fresh and fun for as long as kids go to college.
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