An American Werewolf in London (1981)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

John Landis

Writer:

John Landis (written by)

Release Date:

21 August 1981 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

John Landis - the director of Animal House brings you a different kind of animal.

Plot:

Two American tourists in England are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.

Plot Keywords:

Taxicab | Dream Sequence | Friendship | Dead Boy | Hitchhiking

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

David Naughton	...	David Kessler
Jenny Agutter	...	Nurse Alex Price
Griffin Dunne	...	Jack Goodman
John Woodvine	...	Dr. J. S. Hirsch
Lila Kaye	...	Barmaid
Joe Belcher	...	Truck Driver
David Schofield	...	Dart Player
Brian Glover	...	Chess Player
Rik Mayall	...	2nd Chess Player
Sean Baker	...	2nd Dart Player
Paddy Ryan	...	First Werewolf
Anne-Marie Davies	...	Nurse Susan Gallagher
Frank Oz	...	Mr. Collins / Miss Piggy
Don McKillop	...	Inspector Villiers
Paul Kember	...	Sergeant McManus

Also Known As:

The American Werewolf (Philippines: English title)
Loup-garou de Londres, Le (Canada: French title) (France) [fr]
American Werewolf (West Germany) [de]
American Werewolf - Fürchte den Mond (West Germany) (video title) [de]
Amerikansk varulv i London, En (Sweden) [sv]
Amerikkalainen ihmissusi Lontoossa (Finland) [fi]
Amerykanski wilkolak w Londynie (Poland) [pl]
Hombre lobo americano en Londres, Un (Argentina) [es]
Hombre-lobo americano en Londres (Spain) [es]
Ihmissusi Lontoossa (Finland) [fi]
Lobisomem Americano em Londres (Brazil) [pt]
Lupo mannaro americano a Londra, Un (Italy) [it]
Lykanthropos sto Londino, Enas (Greece) [el]
Um Lobisomem Americano em Londres (Portugal) [pt]

Runtime:

97 min | Sweden:92 min (heavily cut)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS (re-release) | Mono

Certification:

Singapore:R21 | Canada:13+ (Québec) | Canada:R (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | UK:X (theatrical rating) | Australia:MA (DVD rating) | USA:R (Certificate #26418) | Argentina:18 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | West Germany:16 | Peru:18 | Brazil:18 | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

64 Coleherne Road, Earl's Court, London, England, UK

Company:

American Werewolf Inc.

Trivia:

The London Underground station used in the film is Tottenham Court Road. It was refurbished in the late 1980s. The platform with the train arriving and departing is the northbound Northern Line platform. This is NOT Aldwych station as previously reported.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the two Americans are walking on the moors, their shadows are always in front of them, despite them having changed direction numerous times. Additionally, with the moon always being behind them, how are their faces being lit?

Quotes:

Nurse Susan Gallagher: He's a Jew.
Alex: How do you know?
Nurse Susan Gallagher: I've had a look.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "Father Ted: Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep (#3.2)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

BLUE MOON

Excellent

Violent, gory yet somewhat bittersweet tale of an American tourist who has the misfortune of being bitten by a werewolf. David Naughton is young and bewildered, Jenny Agutter cute, innocent and sexy and Griffin Dunne hilarious as a rapidly decomposing poltergeist. The score is great and the special effects outstanding. This movie gives new meaning to the term Ugly American. Don't watch this on commercial TV. It can only be appreciated in its original, unedited form.