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Movies / On DVD / An American Werewolf in London
An American Werewolf in London

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An American Werewolf in London (1981)

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81 %
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Reviews Counted: 36

Fresh: 29

Rotten:7

Average Rating: 7.2/10

Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins

Genre: Horror/Suspense

Synopsis: In this grisly black comedy, David Kessler and Jack Goodman (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne, respectively) are two American students on a backpacking tour of Europe. Wandering the backroads of... In this grisly black comedy, David Kessler and Jack Goodman (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne, respectively) are two American students on a backpacking tour of Europe. Wandering the backroads of gloomy East Proctor, England, they find a pub where the unhelpful locals act suspiciously strange. The unsuspecting boys flee the pub in search of lodging after being warned to avoid the moors. Lost in the dark countryside, the pair is attacked by a werewolf. Only David survives, waking up three weeks later in a London hospital. As David begins to regain his memory he is tormented by nightmares and is visited by his dead friend Jack, who warns David that he will turn into a werewolf with the next full moon--and that the only way to lift the curse is to kill himself. Because the town of East Proctor has covered up the real cause of the murder, David is forced to face the truth alone. Finally, he is discharged and taken in by his nubile nurse, Alex Price (Jenny Agutter). As Alex and David begin their steamy love affair, it is only a matter of time before the next full moon comes--when the truth will be revealed. Director John Landis has crafted an entertaining, funny horror story, featuring the terrific combination of Naughton and Dunne and a sparkling rock score in which every song includes the word "moon.". [More]

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine

Director: John Landis

Director: John Landis
Screenwriter: John Landis
Composer: Elmer Bernstein

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Dec 9, 1997

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for An American Werewolf in London

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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No review available.

comment Comment
02/29/08
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies

Undeniably delivers a good share of scares and dark laughs. And for all its lack of discipline, it's a model of directorial clarity when compared with Landis's subsequent work, which inexorably descended into indulgence and foolishness.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment Comment
09/23/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Carnivorous lunar activities rarely come any more entertaining than this.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
09/23/07
Kim Newman
Empire Magazine

A clever mixture of comedy and horror which succeeds in being both funny and scary, An American Werewolf in London possesses an overriding eagerness to please that prevents it from becoming off-putting.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
09/23/07
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's a failure, less because the odd stylistic mix doesn't take (it does from time to time, and to striking effect) than because Landis hasn't bothered to put his story into any kind of satisfying shape.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 1 Comment
09/23/07
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of the all-time great horror movies, a pitch-perfect mix of belly laughs and genuine scares.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
07/23/07
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Director John Landis brings humor to this offbeat reworking of the familiar tale for which Rick Baker received a well deserved Oscar for his makeup (in the first year of that category).

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
03/27/07
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

You've got to give John Landis credit for taking the well-worn werewolf tale and injecting it with new life, so to speak.

Full Review Source: DVDTown.com | comment Comment
01/01/07
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

Landis leans too heavily on the shock effects provided by Rick Baker's lycanthropic transformation make-up.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

Darkly funny, suspenseful and unforgettable.

comment Comment
04/11/06
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

No review available.

comment Comment
02/09/05
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

No review available.

comment Comment
12/18/04
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

brilliant - funny and scary at the same time

comment Comment
11/08/04
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

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.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Howlingly fun and frightening. 1980's state-of-the-art gore effects.

comment Comment
10/15/04
Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan

No review available.

comment Comment
09/01/04
Jonathan R. Perry
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas)

A strong black comedy that's still good 20-some years later.

comment Comment
06/26/04
Mark Robison
Reno Gazette-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
04/16/04
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World

No review available.

comment Comment
03/01/04
Tony Toscano
Talking Pictures (U.S.)

A fresh look at getting at the werewolf fable.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/01/04
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
 
 
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Latest News for An American Werewolf in London

June 29, 2009: Weinsteins Plotting American Werewolf in London Remake? Opens in new window
According to a source at Bloody Disgusting, John Landis has cut a deal with Dimension Films allowing the studio to remake "An American Werewolf in London." More...

August 02, 2005: John Landis Goes to the "Dogs"
Veteran comedy director John Landis will helm "Show Dogs" for New Line Cinema, says Variety. Described as a canine-centric "Pygmalion," the story focuses on... More...

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