An American Werewolf in London

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  • Opened April 21, 1981 
  • 1 hr 37 min
  • R | Violence

  • David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he's plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. When David discovers the horrible truth, he contemplates committing suicide before the next full moon causes him to transform from man to murderous beast. Full synopsis

  • Cast: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine, Brian Glover
  • Director: John Landis
  • Genres: Horror

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Critic Reviews

89
Austin Chronicle
| 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. Read full review

80
Empire
| Kim Newman

Carnivorous lunar activities rarely come any more entertaining than this. Read full review

80
Variety
|

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. Read full review

75
ReelViews
| 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"). Read full review

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