An American Werewolf in London (1981)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Terrifying and funny in almost equal measure, John Landis' horror-comedy crosses genres while introducing Rick Baker's astounding make-up effects.
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Cast
as David Kessler
as Jack Goodman
as Nurse Alex Price
as Dr. J.S. Hirsch
as Chess player
as Dart Player
as Barmaid
as Sgt. McManus
as Sgt. McManus
as Insp. Villiers
as Mr. Collins
as Nurse Gallagher
as Mrs. Kessler
as Mr. Kessler
as Max
as Rachel
as Truck Driver
as 2nd Chess Player
as 2nd Dart Player
as 1st Werewolf
as Benjamin
as Hospital Porter
as Creepy Little Girl
as Creepy Little Girl
as Herself
as Harry Berman
as Judith Browns
as Sean
as Sean's Wife
as Sister Hobbs
as Alf
as Ted
as Joseph
as Gerald Bringsley
as Woman in Zoo
as Little Boy with Balloons
as Little Boy's Mother
as News Vendor
as Man in Bus Queue
as 2nd Man in Bus Queue
as Taxi Driver
as Bobby in Trafalgar Square
as Girl in Trafalgar Square
as Ticket Lady
as Brenda Bristols
as Lance Boyle
as Chris Bailey
as George Bailey
as Usher
as Bobby at Cinema
as Bobby at Cinema
as Policeman
as Policeman
as Policeman
as Policeman
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Critic Reviews for An American Werewolf in London
All Critics (51) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (45) | Rotten (6) | DVD (16)
I suspect Landis hoped to keep moviegoers eerily disarmed with an unpredictable mixture of wacky and terrifying touches. Unfortunately, his own touch... is so slack and uncertain that the movie ends up dramatically shapeless.
Not just gory but actually frightening, not just funny but clever, 'American Werewolf...' has its flaws, but these are outweighed by the film's many, mighty strengths.
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.
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.
An American Werewolf in London 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.
When the movie backfires, which it finally does, it's because too much grisly footage has been used too lightly.
Audience Reviews for An American Werewolf in London
These excessively gory horror films of the 1980's have either been extreme turn on or off for me. "An American Werewolf in London" is a definite plus to it's genre. Helming some genuinely creepy practical effects and some fantastic gore, this is one horror film that will never feel dated. As two friends arrive in London, they are attacked by a wolf. While one comes back as a zombie, the other must face the fact that he will turn into a werewolf at each moon's first light unless he kills himself. With a dark story, there are some very charming moments peppered throughout this picture. I had a blast watching this film and I would highly recommend it to any horror fans out there. With a script you don't have to take too seriously and direction that is clearly poking fun while staying creepy, "An American Werewolf in London" is great! If I had to fault it, it would be the fact that it takes far too long to build up to the conclusion. Overall, it is a very fun time.
Super Reviewer
A werewolf movie turned into a comedy. It's a very original idea that cinema had never been seen before. Werewolf in London couldn't have done it better. It had the feeling of a classic black and white horror movie and the make up is absolutely outstanding. As it's among the best ever crafted. Not so much a scary film by modern standards but with a mix of black humour, light hearted comedy and likable characters it deserves its ultimate cult status.
Super Reviewer
This is classic stuff here, its faultless, effects are awesome, note the legendary transformation scene in Agutter's flat completely done without cgi using REAL skills and craftsmanship. The whole thing is macabre, spooky and funny, its also pretty scary here and there, the Nazi demon dream sequences make you jump haha whilst the ending is a gore fest, love it, an adult 'Beetlejuice'. Bluuuue Moooon
Super Reviewer
An American Werewolf in London Quotes
| David Kessler: | I'm a werewolf. |
| Alex Price: | Are you alright? |
| David Kessler: | I don't know, I'll let you know the next full moon. |
| David Kessler: | Queen Elizabeth is a man! Prince Charles is a faggot! Winston Churchill was full of shit! Shakespeare was French! Fuck! Shit! Cunt! |
| David Kessler: | Be rational, sure...I'm a fucking werewolf for Christs Sake! |
| David Kessler: | Look at me, sitting in a porno theather in Piccadilly Circus talking to a Corpse! |