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An American Werewolf in London (1981)

R  97 min  -  Fantasy | Horror   -  21 August 1981 (USA)
7.5
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Ratings: 7.5/10 from 31,683 users   Metascore: 60/100 
Reviews: 296 user | 135 critic | 6 from Metacritic.com

Two American tourists in Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.

Director:

John Landis

Writer:

John Landis
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Naughton ...
Jenny Agutter ...
Griffin Dunne ...
John Woodvine John Woodvine ...
Lila Kaye Lila Kaye ...
Joe Belcher Joe Belcher ...
Truck Driver
David Schofield ...
Dart Player
Brian Glover Brian Glover ...
Chess Player
Rik Mayall ...
2nd Chess Player
Sean Baker Sean Baker ...
2nd Dart Player
Paddy Ryan Paddy Ryan ...
First Werewolf
Anne-Marie Davies Anne-Marie Davies ...
Frank Oz ...
Don McKillop Don McKillop ...
Inspector Villiers
Paul Kember Paul Kember ...
Sergeant McManus
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Storyline

Two American students are on a walking tour of Britain and are attacked by a Werewolf. One is killed, the other is mauled. The Werewolf is killed but reverts to its human form, and the local townspeople are unwilling to acknowledge its existence. The surviving student begins to have nightmares of hunting on four feet at first but then finds that his friend and other recent victims appear to him, demanding that he find a way to die to release them from their curse, being trapped between worlds because of their unnatural deaths. Written by John Vogel <jlvogel@comcast.net>  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Werewolf | American | Death | Nightmare | Curse  | See more »

Taglines:

John Landis - the director of Animal House brings you a different kind of animal. See more »

Genres:

Fantasy | Horror

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

The American Werewolf See more »

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$3,786,512 (USA) (23 August 1981) (870 Screens)

Gross:

$30,565,292 (USA)
See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | Sweden: (heavily cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS (re-release) | Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The tube station used in the film is Tottenham Court Road, Northern Line branch. The sign for Tottenham Court Road can clearly be seen in some shots. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: Likewise, despite it being implied by the TV ad for the Sunday paper that the killings take place Saturday night/Sunday morning, the small boy in the zoo is in his school uniform, supposedly on a Sunday. This is assuming anyone would really be cruel enough to make their child wear school uniform on a day out to the zoo. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Truck Driver: That way is Proctor, and over here is the moors. I go this way.
Jack: Thanks for the ride, sir. You have lovely sheep.
Truck Driver: Boys, keep off the moors, stick to the roads. The best to ya...
David: Thanks again.
[then to the sheep]
David: We'll miss you.
David: Bye girls...
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Crazy Credits

Lyncanthrope Films Limited wishes to extend its heartfelt congratulations
to Lady Diana Spencer and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales on the
occasion of their marriage - July 29th 1981. See more »

Connections

References Schlock (1973) See more »

Soundtracks

"MOONDANCE"
Performed by Van Morrison
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records See more »