An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Reference View | Change View
- R
- 1h 37min
- Comedy, Horror
- 21 Aug 1981 (USA)
- Movie
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:
Writer:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.
- See more »
Reviews:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| 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
|
|
|
Colin Fernandes | ... |
Benjamin
|
| Albert Moses | ... |
Hospital Porter
|
|
| Jim Henson | ... |
Kermit the Frog (archiveFootage)
|
|
|
|
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' Cast
|
|
| Lucien Morgan | ... |
Lance Boyle - 'See You Next Wednesday' Cast
(as Lucienne Morgan)
|
|
|
|
Dave Cooper | ... |
Chris Bailey - 'See You Next Wednesday' Cast
(as Gypsy Dave Cooper)
|
|
|
Susan Spencer | ... |
Georgia Bailey - 'See You Next Wednesday' Cast
|
|
|
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: | |||
|
|
Lewis Alexander | ... |
Passerby (uncredited)
|
|
|
Jack Armstrong | ... |
Man in Street (uncredited)
|
| Vic Armstrong | ... |
Bus Driver (uncredited)
|
|
| Alan Austen | ... |
Police Officer (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Roy Beck | ... |
Bystander (uncredited)
|
|
|
Kevin Brennan | ... |
Werewolf (uncredited)
|
|
|
John Cannon | ... |
Villager (uncredited)
|
|
|
Ina Clare | ... |
Passerby (uncredited)
|
|
|
Simon van Collem | ... |
Shop Owner (uncredited)
|
| Harry Fielder | ... |
Man Outside Cinema (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Noel Flanagan | ... |
Man in Street (uncredited)
|
|
|
Alan Flyng | ... |
Man in Raincoat in Trafalgar Square (uncredited)
|
| Ryan Folsey | ... |
Kid in trafalgar square (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Laurie Goode | ... |
Hospital Porter (uncredited)
|
|
|
Dave Griffiths | ... |
Pub Patron (uncredited)
|
| Alan Harris | ... |
Bystander Outside Cinema (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Brendan Hughes | ... |
Werewolf (uncredited)
|
|
|
John Ketteringham | ... |
Pub Patron (uncredited)
|
| John Landis | ... |
Man Being Smashed into Window (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Dave Lanning | ... |
TV Darts Commentator (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
|
|
|
Aileen Lewis | ... |
Passerby (uncredited)
|
|
|
Tommy Little | ... |
Barman (uncredited)
|
| Derek Lyons | ... |
Passerby (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Lou Morgan | ... |
Bystander (uncredited)
|
| Ralph G. Morse | ... |
Punk on Tube (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
James Muir | ... |
Policeman (uncredited)
|
|
|
Terence Mustoo | ... |
Bystander (uncredited)
|
|
|
George Oliver | ... |
Man in Cinema (uncredited)
|
| James Payne | ... |
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Quentin Pierre | ... |
Man in Street (uncredited)
|
|
|
Jack Ross | ... |
Bystander (uncredited)
|
|
|
Terry Sach | ... |
Pub Patron (uncredited)
|
|
|
John Simpkin | ... |
Bystander in Trafalgar Square (uncredited)
|
|
|
Alecia St Leger | ... |
Passer-By (uncredited)
|
|
|
David Stone | ... |
Bystander (uncredited)
|
|
|
John Timberlake | ... |
Slaughtered Lamb Patron (uncredited)
|
|
|
Terry Walsh | ... |
Taxi Driver Who Crashes His Cab (uncredited)
|
Directed by
| John Landis | ||
Written by
| John Landis | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| George Folsey Jr. | ... | producer |
| Peter Guber | ... | executive producer |
| Jon Peters | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Elmer Bernstein | ||
Cinematography by
| Robert Paynter | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Malcolm Campbell | ||
Editorial Department
| Simon Battersby | ... | associate editor |
| Clive Hartley | ... | assistant editor |
| Anna Ksiezopolska | ... | assistant editor |
| Steve Maguire | ... | assistant editor |
| Jonathan Lucas | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Casting By
| Debbie McWilliams | ||
Art Direction by
| Leslie Dilley | ||
Costume Design by
| Deborah Nadoolman | ||
Makeup Department
| Elaine Alexander | ... | special makeup effects crew (as Elaine Baker) |
| Rick Baker | ... | special makeup effects designer and creator |
| Doug Beswick | ... | special makeup effects crew |
| Kevin Brennan | ... | special makeup effects crew |
| Robin Grantham | ... | chief makeup artist |
| Tom Hester | ... | special makeup effects crew |
| Steve Johnson | ... | special makeup effects crew |
| Beryl Lerman | ... | makeup artist |
| Shawn McEnroe | ... | special makeup effects crew (as Sean McEnrow) |
| Barry Richardson | ... | hairdresser |
| Joseph Ross | ... | special makeup effects crew (as Joe Ross) |
| Bill Sturgeon | ... | special makeup effects crew |
| Craig Reardon | ... | special 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 (as Mike Murray) |
| David Tringham | ... | first assistant director |
Art Department
| Peter Childs | ... | assistant art director |
| Frederick Crawford | ... | supervising rigger |
| Len Day | ... | carpenter |
| Len Furey | ... | construction manager |
| Tommy Green | ... | painter |
| William Grzesik | ... | plasterer (as Bill Grzesik) |
| Fred Gunning | ... | supervising carpenter |
| Bill Hargreaves | ... | props |
| Ron Higgins | ... | props: wolf team |
| Derek Ixer | ... | dressing props |
| Dave Jordan | ... | property master |
| Tim Murphy | ... | rigger |
| Vince Murphy | ... | supervising stagehand |
| Keith Pain | ... | assistant art director |
| Sid Palmer | ... | prop buyer (as Sidney Palmer) |
| Brian Payne | ... | props |
| John Roberts | ... | supervising painter |
| Thomas Tarry | ... | supervising plasterer (as Tom Tarry) |
| Simon Wakefield | ... | set dresser |
| Michael Wells | ... | stagehand |
| Tony Wheeler | ... | dressing props |
| Michael Law | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Bob McLing | ... | assistant property master (uncredited) |
| Steve Short | ... | propmaker (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Don Banks | ... | sound assistant |
| Roy Benson | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Gerry Humphreys | ... | dubbing mixer |
| Tony Lenny | ... | foley |
| Rocky Phelan | ... | assistant sound editor |
| John Poyner | ... | sound editor |
| Don Sharpe | ... | sound editor |
| Ivan Sharrock | ... | sound mixer |
| Ken Weston | ... | boom operator |
| Rowland Fowles | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
| Richard Lightman | ... | special sound effects creator (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Ken Barley | ... | mould maker (uncredited) |
| Neil Corbould | ... | special effects assistant (uncredited) |
| Martin Gutteridge | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
| Garth Inns | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Costas Charitou | ... | titles & opticals: Camera Effects Ltd (uncredited) |
| David Smith | ... | optical cameraman: Camera Effects Ltd (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Roy Alon | ... | stunts |
| Vic Armstrong | ... | stunts |
| Ken Barker | ... | stunts |
| Dickey Beer | ... | stunts (as Dickie Beer) |
| Marc Boyle | ... | stunts |
| Sue Crosland | ... | stunts |
| Clive Curtis | ... | stunts |
| Peter Diamond | ... | stunts |
| Tracey Eddon | ... | stunts |
| Sadie Eden | ... | stunts |
| Terry Forrestal | ... | stunts |
| Romo Gorrara | ... | stunts (as Romo Gomarra) |
| 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 Sheppard | ... | stunts (as Ken Shepherd) |
| Colin Skeaping | ... | stunts (as Colin Skeeping) |
| Tony Smart | ... | stunts |
| Rocky Taylor | ... | stunts |
| Terry Walsh | ... | stunts |
| Paul Weston | ... | stunts |
| Nick Wilkinson | ... | stunts |
| Vic Armstrong | ... | assistant stunt coordinator (uncredited) |
| John Landis | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Michael Anderson | ... | clapper loader |
| Alan Barry | ... | best boy |
| Peter Bloor | ... | electrician |
| Dennis Fraser | ... | grip |
| David Garfath | ... | camera operator |
| Maurice Gillett | ... | gaffer |
| John Ignatius | ... | Loader |
| Malcolm MacIntosh | ... | steadicam operator (as Malcolm McIntosh) |
| Robin McDonald | ... | steadicam operator |
| Bill Nicholson | ... | electrician |
| Jeff Paynter | ... | focus |
| Barry Peake | ... | still photographer |
| Mickie Rowsome | ... | genny operator |
| Toby Tyler | ... | electrician |
| Ray Andrew | ... | steadicam operator (uncredited) |
| George Binnersley | ... | clapper loader (uncredited) |
| Robert Willoughby | ... | special still photographer (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Michael Chinich | ... | casting: Los Angeles |
| Dee Dee Wehle | ... | casting: New York |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Ian Hickinbotham | ... | wardrobe master |
| Keith Morton | ... | men's wardrobe |
| Sue Wain | ... | women's wardrobe |
Location Management
| Ray Freeborn | ... | location manager |
| Joseph Ross | ... | location crew (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Elmer Bernstein | ... | conductor |
| Michael Clifford | ... | music editor |
| Frederick Molton Johnson | ... | music |
| Adam Fields | ... | music supervisor (uncredited) |
| Jonathan Snowden | ... | musician: flute (uncredited) |
| David Spear | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Pamela Mann | ... | continuity |
Transportation Department
| Dave Bickers | ... | action vehicles coordinator |
| Colin Morris | ... | personal driver: John Landis |
Additional Crew
| Martin Ford | ... | runner |
| Linda Gregory | ... | assistant accountant |
| Sara Keene | ... | unit publicist |
| Derrick Norwood | ... | assistant accountant (as Derek Norwood) |
| Jennie Raglan | ... | production assistant |
| Maggie Southam | ... | producer's secretary |
| Sam Williams | ... | financial administrator |
| Rick Baker | ... | puppeteer (uncredited) |
| Robin Demetriou | ... | cast and crew chef (uncredited) |
| Wayne Docksey | ... | animal master (uncredited) |
| Mary Fielder | ... | film extra (uncredited) |
| Marshall Harvey | ... | behind the scenes footage director (uncredited) |
| Bill Sturgeon | ... | puppeteer (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Jim Henson | ... | thanks (as Mr. Jim Henson) |
| James C. O'Rourke | ... | dedicatee (as Jim O'Rourke) |
Production Companies
- Polygram Pictures
- Lyncanthrope Films
- American Werewolf (copyright holder)
Distributors
- Universal Pictures (1981) (United States) (theatrical)
- Barber International (1981) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Krezias-Sarri (1981) (Greece) (theatrical)
- LMD-Océanic (1981) (France) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1982) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Home Box Office (HBO) (1982) (United States) (tv) (pay television)
- MCA Videocassette (1982) (United States) (VHS)
- RCA SelectaVision VideoDiscs (1982) (United States) (video) (CED)
- Roadshow Home Video (1982) (Australia) (VHS)
- Spectrum Home Video (1982) (Germany) (video) (laserdisc)
- Spectrum Home Video (1982) (United Kingdom) (video) (laserdisc)
- Spectrum Home Video (1982) (Netherlands) (video) (laserdisc)
- Europa Film (1982) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Fram Film (1982) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Kinosto (1982) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures do Brasil (1983) (Brazil) (theatrical)
- Telefilms Internacional, S.A. (1983) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1983) (Mexico) (theatrical)
- Universal Films of India (1983) (India) (theatrical)
- King Features Entertainment (1983) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- MCA Videodisc (1983) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Nippon Television Network (NTV) (1983) (Japan) (tv) (network television)
- Channel 5 Video (1986) (United Kingdom) (VHS) (Budget Release)
- PolyGram Video (1984) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- BBC One (1985) (United Kingdom) (tv) (network television)
- CBS (1987) (United States) (tv) (network television)
- Vestron Video (1985) (United States) (VHS)
- Video Veta (Mexico) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1988) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Video Treasures (1988) (United States) (VHS)
- HGV Video Productions (1990) (Canada) (VHS)
- 4 Front Video (1991) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Live Distributing Inc. (1991) (United States) (VHS)
- Live Entertainment (1995) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- Live Home Video (1995) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- MCA Home Video (Canada) (VHS)
- Pioneer Entertainment (1995) (United States) (video) (laserdisc) (exlusively distributed by)
- Avid Home Entertainment (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Live Entertainment (1996) (United States) (VHS) (exclusively distributed by)
- Live Entertainment (1997) (United States) (DVD)
- Live Home Video (1997) (United States) (DVD)
- Hearst Entertainment (1999) (United States) (tv) (syndication)
- BBC Two (1990) (United Kingdom) (tv) (network television)
- Universal Pictures Video (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Video (2001) (Mexico) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2001) (Canada) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Video (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Finland (2002) (Finland) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Video (2002) (Australia) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Video (2002) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Video (2002) (Netherlands) (VHS)
- Argentina Video Home (2003) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Argentina Video Home (2003) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Universal Pictures Video (2007) (Germany) (DVD) (HD DVD)
- Universal Pictures Video (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (HD-DVD)
- Celebrity Films (2009) (India) (tv)
- Universal Home Entertainment (2009) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Finland (2009) (Finland) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) (2009) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (2009) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Chapel Distribution (2012) (Australia) (theatrical) (re-release)
- True Entertainment (2015) (United Kingdom) (tv) (cable television)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (2016) (Finland) (tv)
- Arrow Films (2019) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (limited edition)
- Arrow Video (2019) (United States)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- Turbine Medien (2020) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Turbine Medien (2020) (Germany) (Ultra HD Blu-ray)
- Arrow Films (2022) (United Kingdom) (Ultra HD Blu-ray) (limited edition)
- Paramount Channel (2023) (France) (tv)
- Nordic Video (Finland) (VHS)
Special Effects
- Effects Associates
- Camera Effects (malcolm bubb)
- Chiodo Brothers Productions
Other Companies
- Camera Effects (opticals and titles)
- Lee Lighting (lighting)
- Joe Dunton & Company (camera and lenses)
- First Unit Catering International (catering)
- Twickenham Film Studios (re-recording)
- Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment (dollies)
- Columbia Records (music courtesy of: "Blue Moon")
- Dolby Stereo (in selected theatres)
- RCA Records (music courtesy of: "Blue Moon")
- The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (orchestra performed by)
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
- Warner Bros. Records (music courtesy of: "Moondance")
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
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.
Written by John Vogel |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | John Landis - the director of Animal House brings you a different kind of animal. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Box Office
| Budget | $10,000,000 (estimated) |
| Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $60,565,292 |
Did You Know?
| 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). See more » |
| 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. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Poppers (1984). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Blue Moon See more » |
| Crazy Credits | Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy star as themselves. See more » |
| 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! See more » |