An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.

Director:

John Landis

Writer:

John Landis

Stars:

David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Joe Belcher

Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joe Belcher	...	Truck Driver
David Naughton	...	David Kessler
Griffin Dunne	...	Jack Goodman
David Schofield	...	Dart Player
Brian Glover	...	Chess Player
Lila Kaye	...	Barmaid
Rik Mayall	...	2nd Chess Player
Sean Baker	...	2nd Dart Player
Paddy Ryan	...	First Werewolf
Jenny Agutter	...	Nurse Alex Price
Anne-Marie Davies	...	Nurse Susan Gallagher
John Woodvine	...	Dr. J. S. Hirsch
Frank Oz	...	Mr. Collins / Miss Piggy
Don McKillop	...	Inspector Villiers
Paul Kember	...	Sergeant McManus

Storyline

Two American college 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 commit suicide to release them from their curse, being trapped between worlds because of their unnatural deaths.

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Plot Keywords:

werewolf | college student | american | nurse | full moon | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1997, the movie was re-recorded as a radio drama by Audio Movies Limited for BBC Radio 1 in Britain. It was broadcast during Halloween that year, in short snippets throughout the day. Brian Glover, John Woodvine and Jenny Agutter reprised their roles from the movie. Notably, the radio version has considerably more comedy in it.

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Goofs

The orderly explains that David is being served toast and jam. However in subsequent shots, it is obvious there's no jam on any of the toast.

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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

All characters and events in this film are fictitious. Any similarity to actual events or persons, living, dead, or undead, is purely coincidental.

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Alternate Versions

The film was edited to receive an "R" rating in the U.S. The love scene with David and Jenny was toned down. Food coming through Jack's mouth as he was eating toast was also removed.

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Connections

Featured in The 100 Scariest Movie Moments: Part III: 50-31 (2004)

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Soundtracks

Bad Moon Rising
Written by John Fogerty (uncredited)
Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Courtesy of Fantasy Records

User Reviews

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!

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

An American Werewolf in London

Filming Locations:

Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,786,512, 23 August 1981

Gross USA:

$30,565,292

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$30,565,292

Company Credits

Production Co:

Polygram Pictures, Lyncanthrope Films, American Werewolf

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min 92 min (heavily cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS (re-release) Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1