Plot: Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists – An American Werewolf in London.
Director – John Landis
Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Joe Belcher
Released: 1981
If you liked – Wolfman, Maniac Cop, The Mummy
Perfectly blending comedy with horror, without either element taking away from the other, is a hard trick to master. An American Werewolf in London not only combines these contrasting genres to great effect but became an iconic film in the process, one that is still a pleasure to watch all these years later.
Not going for big-name actors and making some dialogue feel a little cheesy, it’s clear to see that Landis had set about giving his film an almost B-Movie feel to it, just one with higher production value, this, however, doesn’t make the film an ineffective horror movie.
Instead, it achieved quite the opposite, mostly accomplished through a strong plot featuring a collection of memorable dream sequences that provide more character depth than you’d normally expect in an early ’80s creature feature, combined with some imaginative and gory sequences throughout, topped off with Oscar-winning make-up effects that still stand up today. It’s worth watching the film for the transformation scene alone.
Coming in a time of video-nasties, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the film is gory and frankly I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t given that it’s about a werewolf in the middle of London, It’s the comedy elements that take you by surprise, with humour being surprised throughout, yet always feeling natural and not injected into the plot.
The film is still held in high regard by almost everyone that’s seen it, with the exception of Roger Ebert who pointed out the films only real downside, the fact that it “seems curiously unfinished as if director John Landis spent all his energy on spectacular set pieces and then didn’t want to bother with things like transitions, character development, or an ending.”
Although I believe the character development and transitions were fine, he does have a point when it comes to the ending. I’m not going to venture into spoilers but let’s just say that it doesn’t offer the closure a film released today would and An American Werewolf in Paris doesn’t do much to make up for this, though that’s mostly down to how bad the sequel is.
Roses Have Thoughts 
I don’t know why I used to find werewolf movies so grotesque. Maybe because of the nail thing on the hair thing.
I think I’ve seen the transformation scene from An American Werewolf in London more times than the actual film itself. That fact that it takes place with that oldies song playing the background makes that scene even more frightening. It’s amazing how influential this film was for the comedy-horror genre.
Sometimes the B movies are funny and not so bad. Interesting to see the differences noted.
All movies are good, even in this quarantine times I’m watching these movies.
Very true, even a bad film would help pass the time
I’m not a huge fan of movies like, but my husband would like this movie! Sending this to him for a quarantine watch.
i often see the movie’s poster here and there but I had no idea what it was all about. Thanks for enlightening us. Sometimes the worst movies have the biggest cult followings.
Now I am showing my age. I remember when this film came out! It was a big deal at the time!
oh man, what a classic. i haven’t seen this in forever! i’m going to have to watch it again.
I have never seen this movie! It would be fun to check it out while we are in quarantine. I have been looking for things to watch and it would be neat to see this movie since I have heard a lot about it over the years.
I havent watched this but I think it is a great movie. Saving this on my list…
Wow it is a classic movie and I’m interested to watch it. Where do you think I could get a copy of this?
I haven´t seen An American Werewolf in London, but you got me curious! Will definitely check it out!
That is quite an interesting movie and since I have free time I’ll definitely check this out. Never heard of this before but that sounds great.
I’ve never saw this but I have always wanted to. This is a classic.
The comment section is filled with people saying that it’s a classic movie. I haven’t watched it but I will watch it for sure. Thanks for the review.
wow, that sounds scary but I really want to watch this movie!
Oh my gosh that looks so scary! Although I would definitely be interested in seeing it.
That definitely looks like a scary movie. But I have to admit that I would like to see it. 🙂