An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Director:

John Landis

Writer:

John Landis (written by)

Release Date:

21 August 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Werewolf | England | Nightmare | Curse | Alley

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

David Naughton	...	David Kessler
Jenny Agutter	...	Nurse Alex Price
Griffin Dunne	...	Jack Goodman
John Woodvine	...	Dr. J. S. Hirsch
Lila Kaye	...	Barmaid
Joe Belcher	...	Truck Driver
David Schofield	...	Dart Player
Brian Glover	...	Chess Player
Rik Mayall	...	2nd Chess Player
Sean Baker	...	2nd Dart Player
Paddy Ryan	...	First Werewolf
Anne-Marie Davies	...	Nurse Susan Gallagher
Frank Oz	...	Mr. Collins / Miss Piggy
Don McKillop	...	Inspector Villiers
Paul Kember	...	Sergeant McManus
Colin Fernandes	...	Benjamin - Boy in Hospital
Albert Moses	...	Hospital Porter
Michele Brisigotti	...	Rachel Kessler
Mark Fisher	...	Max Kessler
Gordon Sterne	...	Mr. Kessler
Paula Jacobs	...	Mrs. Kessler
Claudine Bowyer	...	Creepy Little Girl
Johanna Crayden	...	Creepy Little Girl
Nina Carter	...	Naughty Nina
Geoffrey Burridge	...	Harry Berman
Brenda Cavendish	...	Judith Browns
Christopher Scoular	...	Sean
Mary Tempest	...	Sean's Wife
Cynthia Powell	...	Sister Hobbs
Sydney Bromley	...	Alf
Frank Singuineau	...	Ted
Will Leighton	...	Joseph
Michael Carter	...	Gerald Bringsley
Elizabeth Bradley	...	Woman in Zoo
Rufus Deakin	...	Little Boy with Balloons
Lesley Ward	...	Little Boy's Mother
George Hilsdon	...	News-Vendor
Gerry Lewis	...	Man in Bus Queue
Dennis Fraser	...	2nd Man in Bus Queue
Alan Ford	...	Taxi Driver
Peter Ellis	...	Bobby in Trafalgar Square
Denise Stephens	...	Girl in Trafalgar Square
Christine Hargreaves	...	Ticket Lady
Linzi Drew	...	Brenda Bristols - 'See You Next Wednesday' Porno Film
Lucien Morgan	...	Lance Boyle - 'See You Next Wednesday' Porno Film (as Lucienne Morgan)
Gypsy Dave Cooper	...	Chris Bailey - 'See You Next Wednesday' Porno Film
Susan Spencer	...	Georgia Bailey - 'See You Next Wednesday' Porno Film
Bob Babenia	...	Usher
Ken Sicklen	...	Bobby at Cinema
John Salthouse	...	Bobby at Cinema
John Altman	...	Assorted Police
Keith Hodiak	...	Assorted Police
John Owens	...	Assorted Police
Roger Rowland	...	Assorted Police
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vic Armstrong	...	Bus Driver (uncredited)
John Cannon	...	Villager (uncredited)
Simon van Collem	...	Shop Owner (uncredited)
Harry Fielder	...	Man outside cinema (uncredited)
Laurie Goode	...	Hospital Porter (uncredited)
John Landis	...	Man Being Smashed Into Window (uncredited)
James Payne	...	Taxi driver (uncredited)

Directed by
John Landis

Writing credits
John Landis		(written by)

Produced by
George Folsey Jr.	....	producer
Peter Guber	....	executive producer
Jon Peters	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Elmer Bernstein

Cinematography by
Robert Paynter

Film Editing by
Malcolm Campbell

Casting by
Debbie McWilliams

Art Direction by
Leslie Dilley

Costume Design by
Deborah Nadoolman

Makeup Department
Elaine Baker	....	makeup effects crew
Rick Baker	....	special makeup effects
Doug Beswick	....	makeup effects crew
Kevin Brennan	....	makeup effects crew
Robin Grantham	....	makeup artist
Tom Hester	....	makeup effects crew
Steve Johnson	....	makeup effects assistant
Beryl Lerman	....	makeup artist
Shawn McEnroe	....	makeup effects crew
Joseph Ross	....	makeup effects crew
Bill Sturgeon	....	makeup effects crew
Craig Reardon	....	makeup effects crew (uncredited)

Production Management
Joyce Herlihy	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Russell Lodge	....	third assistant director
Michael Murray	....	second assistant director
David Tringham	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Peter Childs	....	assistant art director
Keith Pain	....	assistant art director
Simon Wakefield	....	set dresser

Sound Department
Don Banks	....	sound camera
Gerry Humphreys	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tony Lenny	....	foley artist
John Poyner	....	sound editor
Don Sharpe	....	sound editor
Ivan Sharrock	....	production sound mixer

Special Effects by
Neil Corbould	....	special effects assistant
Martin Gutteridge	....	special effects
Garth Inns	....	special effects

Stunts
Roy Alon	....	stunts
Vic Armstrong	....	stunts
Ken Barker	....	stunts
Dickey Beer	....	stunts
Marc Boyle	....	stunts
Sue Crosland	....	stunts
Clive Curtis	....	stunts
Peter Diamond	....	stunts
Tracey Eddon	....	stunts
Sadie Eden	....	stunts
Terry Forestal	....	stunts
Romo Gorrara	....	stunts
Fred Haggerty	....	stunts
Frank Henson	....	stunts
Nick Hobbs	....	stunts
Billy Horrigan	....	stunts
Arthur Howell	....	stunts
Alf Joint	....	stunt gaffer
Carl La Fong	....	stunts
Gareth Milne	....	stunts
Valentino Musetti	....	stunts (as Val Musetti)
Terence Plummer	....	stunts (as Terry Plummer)
Greg Powell	....	stunts
Doug Robinson	....	stunts
Ken Shepherd	....	stunts
Colin Skeaping	....	stunts
Tony Smart	....	stunts
Rocky Taylor	....	stunts
Terry Walsh	....	stunts
Paul Weston	....	stunts
Nick Wilkinson	....	stunts
John Landis	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Ray Andrew	....	Steadicam operator
Alan Barry	....	best boy
Peter Bloor	....	electrician
Dennis Fraser	....	grip
David Garfath	....	camera operator
Maurice Gillett	....	gaffer
Malcolm MacIntosh	....	Steadicam operator
Robin McDonald	....	Steadicam operator
Robert Willoughby	....	special still photographer
Costas Charitou	....	titles & opticals: Camera Effects Ltd (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Sue Wain	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Simon Battersby	....	associate editor
Roy Benson	....	assistant editor (uncredited)
Jonathan Lucas	....	assistant editor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Dave Bickers	....	action vehicles coordinator

Other crew
Ray Freeborn	....	location manager
Pamela Mann	....	continuity
Joseph Ross	....	location crew
Bill Sturgeon	....	puppeteer

Thanks
Jim Henson	....	thanks (as Mr. Jim Henson)
James C. O'Rourke	....	dedicatee (as Jim O'Rourke)

Production Companies

• American Werewolf Inc.
• Guber-Peters Company, The
• Lyncanthrope Films
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment

Distributors

• Universal Pictures (1981) (USA) (theatrical)
• Barber International (1981) (UK) (theatrical)
• LMD-Océanic (1981) (France) (theatrical)
• Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1987) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• Hearst Entertainment Productions (1999) (USA) (TV)
• Image Entertainment (1987) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• King Features Entertainment (1983) (USA) (TV)
• Live Home Video (1995) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• Live Home Video (1997) (USA) (DVD)
• MCA Videocassette (1982) (USA) (VHS)
• MCA/Universal Home Video (1982) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
• PolyGram Video (1984) (UK) (VHS)
• Roadshow Home Video (1983) (Australia) (VHS)
• Universal Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray) (Full Moon Edition)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2009) (USA) (DVD) (Full Moon Edition)
• Vestron Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Effects Associates

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  dollies
• Joe Dunton & Company  camera equipment provided by
• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

The American Werewolf (Philippines: English title)

Runtime:

97 min | Sweden:92 min (heavily cut)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS (re-release) | Mono

Certification:

Singapore:R21 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | UK:X (theatrical rating) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | USA:R (Certificate #26418) | Italy:VM18 | UK:15 (re-rating) (2009) | Argentina:18 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | West Germany:16 | Peru:18 | Brazil:12 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

64 Coleherne Road, Earl's Court, London, England, UK

Company:

American Werewolf Inc.

Trivia:

This is the first film to earn the Academy Award for Best Makeup. That category was created in 1981.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When the werewolf is seen approaching the escalator in the Tottenham Court Road underground station, a foot of one of the crew pushing the werewolf along is clearly visible at the end of the shot.

Quotes:

David: How could there have been witnesses? It was so dark. We were running, and I fell and Jack went to help me up, and this thing came from nowhere. I don't know what they're talking about.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Black Sheep (2006/I)

Soundtrack:

MOONDANCE

Going Out On A Limb (no pun intended)!!

A Film maker's film that's an homage and a refreshing take on the werewolf legend. It's scary; rich in dialogue; practical... (in a horror movie???) AND Funny!

Especially in DTS sound... It's Scary!!!

Specifically...for anyone who enjoys the old 'Universal Studios' classic renditions of the "Wolf Man" saga, this modern 'fairy tale horror' doesn't violate any traditions. If you haven't seen the old classics, not to worry;...this flick stands on its own.

The story unfolds!...And the tension begins!...slowly!

Actors Naughton and Dunne are perfectly cast as your typical college students, backpacking their way thru Europe for...well...for what ELSE!!?!! Their back & forth banter is priceless!! Their 'on screen' chemistry is, unfortunately, too short (that's kinda redeemed in the DVD commentary by both actors). And their trek across the fog laden moor ranks as one of the most frightening scenes in movie history.

But the real star of the film is director John Landis!

Along with the Cast!

And make-up artist Rick Baker.

Not since "Bud Abbott & Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein" has Comedy/Horror worked so well. The difference is: unlike "A&C Meet Frankenstein", this film is a horror story laced with a sharp and clever 'comic relief'. And Landis captures that fine line balance between horror/humor that is unprecedented.

A near definitive werewolf movie that's bloody! scary! funny! satirical! funny! intelligent! sexy! charming!...and ultimately sad!!!...(did I say funny twice?). HEY...if you ever take time to see only one werewolf movie; then...

Well...everyone's got their opinion.

But this film ranks way up their in horror. A Classic!!

With a soundtrack that's perfectly placed! And composer Elmer Bernstein perfectly placing the music.

Grab the popcorn! And Hang On!