The way they dragged it and dragged it and dragged it out the first time, I'd say, hell yes. And I haven't seen the film in awhile, but didn't they put a little humor into it with Mickey Mouse?

Years ago there was a long defunct fansite called, I believe, leakycauldron.org, containing exhaustive discussion forums on all thing Harry Potter. This question came up, naturally, as a werewolf transformation is also graphically depicted in one of the H.P. movies. A fan who happened to be an RN posted the most well though out post I've ever read on the topic. I'd give a lot to be able to read it again.

As an RN, she was able to give an utterly scientific and biologically accurate depiction of just what would actually happen to the human body during the transformation. It was a stomach-churning read, all about bones and tendons and ligaments and skin and organs being compressed, stretched, squeezed, crushed, mashed, and mutilated ... and exactly what all that would FEEL like to somebody who was alive and awake during the entire process. She was basically describing the worst torture imaginable.

0% CGI https://youtu.be/10a5cflZzBg

They still talk about the making of this scene during the 'Horror Make-up Show' at Universal Studios in Florida! They even have some of the hydraulic heads similar to the ones used in the scene.

Let's not forget the Oscars ADDED a "best make-up" category BECAUSE of this movie (and deservedly won by Rick Baker!)

As for the Transformation itself, Landis & co got it RIGHT, unlike many of the classic Werewolf movies where they simply sprout hair and just get hungry, changing into a full blown wolf should be painful!

No wonder werewolves are so angry, that painful transformation would make anyone howling mad.

@revengine said:

No wonder werewolves are so angry, that painful transformation would make anyone howling mad.

They're cursed.

Just watched this and I could barely believe the quality of that scene for 1981. Extremely well handled (aside from the music).