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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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Reviews Counted:42

Fresh:37

Rotten:5

Average Rating:7.5/10

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 rotten rating)
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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
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
Geoff Andrew
Time Out

No review available.

comment Comment
01/29/03
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

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

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
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The best movie ever written by a teenager - Landis was 19 when he penned the first draft - and a constant comic delight.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
10/30/09
Channel 4 Film

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

The metamorphoses into the werewolf scenes are spectacular and the beast's rampage through Piccadilly Circus is marvellous. Splendid gory fun.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
10/30/09
Sky Movies

...a really visceral movie...

Full Review Source: Film Freak Central | comment Comment
09/27/01
Bill Chambers
Bill Chambers
Film Freak Central

It might not belong on anyone’s all-time greats list, but it definitely rates right up there among the most entertaining films of its era.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
10/16/01
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Darkly funny, suspenseful and unforgettable.

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

A fresh look at getting at the werewolf fable.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
03/01/04
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

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
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Awesome horror movie, great use of music for comedic effect, and the transformation still rules.

comment Comment
07/14/03
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
About.com

Considering its often campy competition, it's hard to argue that, if your in the mood for lycanthropy, London is the place to go.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A horror classic. It's ten times better than its follow-up, An American Werewolf in Paris, and about fifty times better than Halloween.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment 1 Comment
01/01/00
James Brundage
James Brundage
Filmcritic.com

few movies had mixed comedy and horror with such utter aplomb

Full Review Source: Q Network Film Desk | comment Comment
09/26/01
James Kendrick
James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk

Still scary, violent and very, very funny.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
10/30/09
Jamie Graham
Jamie Graham
Total Film

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
John J. Puccio
DVDTown.com

No review available.

comment Comment
04/16/04
Jon Niccum
Jon Niccum
Lawrence Journal-World
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating)
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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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