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An American Werewolf in London

  • 1981
  • R
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
128K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,599
433
Griffin Dunne and David Naughton in An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Official Trailer
Play trailer1:42
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Body HorrorBuddy ComedyDark ComedySupernatural HorrorWerewolf HorrorComedyHorror

American college students David Kessler and Jack Goodman on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists. Jack dies. David recovers in a hos... Read allAmerican college students David Kessler and Jack Goodman on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists. Jack dies. David recovers in a hospital, where he has nightmares.American college students David Kessler and Jack Goodman on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists. Jack dies. David recovers in a hospital, where he has nightmares.

  • Director
    • John Landis
  • Writer
    • John Landis
  • Stars
    • David Naughton
    • Jenny Agutter
    • Joe Belcher
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.5/10
    128K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,599
    433
    • Director
      • John Landis
    • Writer
      • John Landis
    • Stars
      • David Naughton
      • Jenny Agutter
      • Joe Belcher
    • 538User reviews
    • 283Critic reviews
    • 55Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 3 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos2

    An American Werewolf in London
    Trailer 1:42
    An American Werewolf in London
    'The New Mutants' Cast Reveal Characters & Film Inspirations
    Interview 3:25
    'The New Mutants' Cast Reveal Characters & Film Inspirations
    'The New Mutants' Cast Reveal Characters & Film Inspirations
    Interview 3:25
    'The New Mutants' Cast Reveal Characters & Film Inspirations

    Photos345

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
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    + 339
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    David Naughton
    David Naughton
    • David Kessler
    Jenny Agutter
    Jenny Agutter
    • Alex Price
    Joe Belcher
    Joe Belcher
    • Truck Driver
    Griffin Dunne
    Griffin Dunne
    • Jack Goodman
    David Schofield
    David Schofield
    • Dart Player
    Brian Glover
    Brian Glover
    • Chess Player
    Lila Kaye
    Lila Kaye
    • Barmaid
    Rik Mayall
    Rik Mayall
    • 2nd Chess Player
    Sean Baker
    Sean Baker
    • 2nd Dart Player
    Paddy Ryan
    • First Werewolf
    Anne-Marie Davies
    • Nurse Gallagher
    John Woodvine
    John Woodvine
    • Doctor Hirsch
    Frank Oz
    Frank Oz
    • Mr. Collins…
    Don McKillop
    • Inspector Villiers
    Paul Kember
    • Sergeant McManus
    Colin Fernandes
    • Benjamin
    Albert Moses
    Albert Moses
    • Hospital Porter
    Jim Henson
    Jim Henson
    • Kermit the Frog
    • (archive footage)
    • Director
      • John Landis
    • Writer
      • John Landis
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews538

    7.5128.4K
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    Featured reviews

    8framptonhollis

    Hilarious and Horrifying

    While it isn't high art, "An American Werewolf in London" is easily among the most entertaining films that I have ever seen. It mixes humor and horror in a way that, while tonally inconsistent, it provides so many scares and laughs that I didn't care what its flaws were.

    The film's sense of humor is definitely because the film's director and writer, John Landis, has directed so many great comedies. If you gave the same premise to a much more serious filmmaker, they probably would have made a straight horror film, subtracting all of the brilliant laughs that Landis gives us. Of course, part of what makes "An American Werewolf in London" so special and so entertaining is how hilarious it is. It's almost unbelievable that a movie with so many horrific and gory moments can also be laugh out loud funny throughout.

    Another important part of "An American Werewolf in London" is the use of the acclaimed, award winning special effects, that earned Rick Baker a well deserved Oscar win. The werewolf transformation scene definitely lives up to the high expectations anyone viewing the film for the first time may have. It's legitimately disturbing, and amazingly well done!
    9connorjw

    Amazing Film

    An American Werewolf in London (1981) is a flat out great movie. There are good characters, good humor, a hilarious ending, and some scenes scared the hell out of me. The film's pretty inappropriate, with some nudity and awesome gore. This film is one of if not the best werewolf movie you can watch. Some of this makes you feel like you're in the protagonist/antagonist's mind, and the movie had some good suspense too! Overall, the film is definitely watchable, scary, humorous, and one of my favorite films.
    jimbo-38

    Excellent

    Violent, gory yet somewhat bittersweet tale of an American tourist who has the misfortune of being bitten by a werewolf. David Naughton is young and bewildered, Jenny Agutter cute, innocent and sexy and Griffin Dunne hilarious as a rapidly decomposing poltergeist. The score is great and the special effects outstanding. This movie gives new meaning to the term Ugly American. Don't watch this on commercial TV. It can only be appreciated in its original, unedited form.
    jbirtel

    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!
    9Andy-496

    Ooooo. Scary.

    The old adage of the simplest ideas being the best is once again demonstrated in this, one of the most entertaining films of the early 80's, and almost certainly Jon Landis' best work to date. The script is light and witty, the visuals are great and the atmosphere is top class. Plus there are some great freeze-frame moments to enjoy again and again. Not forgetting, of course, the great transformation scene which still impresses to this day.

    In Summary: Top banana

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Due to the controversial lack of recognition for The Elephant Man (1980), make-up and industry technological contributions became recognized by the Academy Awards in 1981. Make-up artist Rick Baker was the first to receive an Oscar in the new category. William Tuttle was the first make-up effects artist to receive an honorary Oscar, for his work on 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964). At 31, Baker was also the youngest person to win the award, a record that was later tied by Tami Lane for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005).
    • Goofs
      Repeated mentions of werewolf attacks during a full moon are ignored when David undergoes his transformation on two consecutive nights. There is only one full moon during a lunar cycle. If the moon is full on a Saturday night, for example, it cannot be truly full on the next night, Sunday.
    • Quotes

      David: I want you to arrest me, you asshole!

      Bobby in Trafalgar Square: There's no call for that kind of language.

      David: Queen Elizabeth is a man! Prince Charles is a faggot! Winston Churchill was full of shit!

      Bobby in Trafalgar Square: That's enough.

      David: No! Let go of me!

      Alex: David, please!

      David: Shakespeare's French! Fuck! Shit! Cunt! Shit!

    • Crazy credits
      Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy star as themselves.
    • Alternate versions
      Universal Studios re-mixed the film's monaural soundtrack to Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS for the 20th anniversary "Collector's Edition" DVD, replacing the older sound effects and adding some new ones (see also Jaws (1975)).
      • Extra thunderclap sound effects were added in the scene when David and Jack are walking in the moors and it starts to rain.
      • The first werewolf can now be heard growling in the rear channels as it circles David and Jack. A louder growl has been added to the rear-left channel after Jack says "It's circling us" to make the audience jump.
      • All the gunshots and car crash sound effects have been replaced.
      • The train in the "London tube" scene can now be heard moving from one channel to another
      • Despite already being bad enough, the entire mix is inexplicably pitched down a half-pitch and sounds very different from the original mix.
    • Connections
      Edited into Poppers (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Blue Moon
      Music by Richard Rodgers (uncredited)

      Lyrics by Lorenz Hart (uncredited)

      Performed by Bobby Vinton

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

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    FAQ47

    • How long is An American Werewolf in London?Powered by Alexa
    • Jack says his spirit is trapped in limbo, until the werewolf that killed him's bloodline is severed, so no other werewolf in David's bloodline had taken a life before Jack, Shouldn't there be an army of ghouls, or the werewolf that bit David's ghost?
    • What did Dr. Hirsch mean when he said to Alex, about "witnessing some form of Mass neurosis in East Proctor"?
    • How did David escape Alexs flat, without causing damage to the door as a werewolf?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 21, 1981 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Un hombre lobo americano en Londres
    • Filming locations
      • Crickadarn, Powys, Wales, UK(East Proctor)
    • Production companies
      • Polygram Pictures
      • Lyncanthrope Films
      • American Werewolf
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $10,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $30,565,292
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,786,512
      • Aug 23, 1981
    • Gross worldwide
      • $30,820,576
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
      • Dolby Digital
      • D-Cinema 48kHz 7.1
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
      • 12-Track Digital Sound
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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