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United Kingdom, United States · 1981
Rated R · 1h 37m
Director John Landis
Starring David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine
Genre Comedy, Horror
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In this cult classic horror comedy, two American college students, Jack and David, are attacked by a large wolf in London. Jack is killed, while David survives with a bite wound. While he heals in the hospital, David is terrorized by nightmares of Jack, who warns him he'll turn into a werewolf under the next full moon.
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, and special effects freaks get more than their money's worth.
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.
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
The transformation sequences on their own are disturbing enough to upset sensitive viewers (even though the first one doesn't occur until an hour into the 97 minute film, making the first two-thirds of the movie relatively tame, with the exception of a few appearances by Jack, who looks like a "walking meatloaf").
Carnivorous lunar activities rarely come any more entertaining than this.
Austin Chronicle by Marjorie Baumgarten
This movie presented a radical melange of genuine horror and self-aware comic touches, not to mention the fabulous Rick Baker special effects.
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
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.
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Since watching this film, I cannot stop thinking about the fantastic prosthetics. As silly as this film is, there are some scary moments! If you are a horror fan, this film is a must-watch, if only for the groundbreaking special effects. If you are not a horror fan, this film is a great entrance into the genre, as the intense moments are quite spaced out.