An American Werewolf in London Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two American tourists learn that British pubs have surprisingly strict no-pet policies, especially when you transform into a giant dog-thing after closing time.

🍿 An American Werewolf in London: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Fateful Trip to the Moors

American college students David Kessler and Jack Goodman are backpacking through England. Ignoring warnings from the wary locals at ‘The Slaughtered Lamb’ pub in East Proctor, they venture onto the Yorkshire moors at night. The two are attacked by a werewolf, resulting in Jack’s gruesome death and David’s serious injuries.

Hospital Stay and Unwanted Visitors

David awakens in a London hospital, haunted by nightmares and visited by the increasingly decaying ghost of Jack. Jack reveals the truth: they were attacked by a werewolf and David will soon transform himself, unless he takes his own life. He is haunted by the spirits of those he will eventually kill.

Transformation and Terror in London

Despite the warnings and his growing feelings for nurse Alex Price, David transforms into a werewolf during the full moon. He terrorizes London, brutally murdering several innocent people. Waking up naked in a zoo the next morning, David has no memory of the previous night’s carnage.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• David Kessler (David Naughton): An American college student who is attacked by a werewolf and struggles to cope with his transformation and the ensuing bloodshed.
• Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne): David’s deceased friend who returns as a decaying ghost to warn him about the werewolf curse.
• Alex Price (Jenny Agutter): A compassionate nurse who falls in love with David and tries to help him deal with his condition.
• Doctor Hirsch (John Woodvine): David’s skeptical doctor who investigates the circumstances of the attack and becomes concerned for Alex’s safety.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jack: “Beware the moon, David.” – Jack warns David of the impending danger and the lunar connection to his fate before his death.
• Jack: “Have you ever talked to a corpse? It’s boring!” – Jack expresses his frustration with his undead existence and tries to convince David to kill himself.
• David: “Queen Elizabeth is a man! Prince Charles is a faggot!” – David shouts absurdities in public in an attempt to get arrested and stop himself from hurting anyone.
• Jack: “Stay on the road, keep clear of the moors.” – The locals’ warning, foreshadowing the disastrous consequences of straying from safety.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $30,565,292
• Worldwide Gross: $30,819,283

💥 An American Werewolf in London Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this film as a kid and being absolutely terrified and equally fascinated. The transformation scene alone is iconic and still holds up incredibly well. Seeing Jack progressively decay while trying to convince David of his fate was both hilarious and heartbreaking. I still get chills whenever I hear “Blue Moon.”

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Horror fans”
  • “Comedy-horror enthusiasts”
  • “Fans of practical effects”
  • “Viewers interested in classic werewolf movies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Sexual situations”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A groundbreaking blend of horror and dark humor, ‘An American Werewolf in London’ delivers genuine scares with a wink. Rick Baker’s makeup effects remain legendary, overshadowing many CGI transformations of today. Landis balances terror and levity in a way that’s both shocking and entertaining.
• Variety: “John Landis crafts a suspenseful yet hilarious tale of lycanthropy, elevated by practical effects magic and a killer soundtrack. The film’s success lies in its commitment to both its horror and comedic elements, making for a truly unique viewing experience.

Audience Reactions

Rick Baker’s practical effects still set the bar for werewolf transformations.: Viewers rave about the seamless blend of horror and humor.

Jenny Agutter’s performance as Nurse Price gives an emotional core.: Audiences appreciated that the soundtrack perfectly captured the mood of the movie

Overall Consensus: ‘An American Werewolf in London’ is a horror classic lauded for its blend of comedy and terror, elevated by groundbreaking practical effects.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Makeup)- 1982
2. Saturn Award (Best Horror Film)- 1982

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “John Landis wrote the first draft of the script when he was just 19 years old, but it took over a decade to get the film made due to the studios’ reluctance to produce a horror-comedy.”
• “The film’s groundbreaking makeup effects by Rick Baker were so impressive that the Academy Awards created a new category for Best Makeup specifically to recognize his work on this film.”
• “To emphasize the theme of the moon, John Landis only used songs with the word ‘moon’ in the title for the film’s soundtrack.”

🖥️ How to Watch An American Werewolf in London?

An American Werewolf in London is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services such as Paramount+ or AMC+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed An American Werewolf in London, you might like these similar films:

• The Howling (1981): Released in the same year, it’s another well-regarded werewolf film with impressive practical effects and a modern take on the mythology.
• Shaun of the Dead (2004): Blends horror and comedy effectively, creating a similar tone even though it focuses on zombies instead of werewolves.
• Dog Soldiers (2002): A British horror film that focuses on a squad of soldiers battling werewolves in the Scottish Highlands, offering a different take on the werewolf subgenre.
• Evil Dead 2 (1987): Balances intense gore with slapstick comedy, similar to the blend found in ‘An American Werewolf in London’.

🛒 An American Werewolf in London Related Products

• An American Werewolf in London: 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition Steelbook: A must-have for collectors, this limited edition 4K Ultra HD steelbook features enhanced visuals and audio, offering the ultimate viewing experience with exclusive bonus content.
• An American Werewolf in London: The Board Game: Based on the iconic film, this suspenseful board game lets players uncover who among them is the werewolf, blending deception and strategy in a thrilling tabletop experience.
• An American Werewolf in London T-Shirt: Showcase your love for the classic werewolf film with this officially licensed T-shirt, featuring iconic imagery from the movie.
• Making An American Werewolf in London (Book): Go behind-the-scenes with this comprehensive making-of book, revealing the secrets and challenges of creating the groundbreaking special effects.

🎧 Soundtrack

An American Werewolf in London features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Blue Moon” – performed by Bobby Vinton
• “Bad Moon Rising” – performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• “Moondance” – performed by Van Morrison

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

An American Werewolf in London | Lycanthropy Curse Explained

If you’re curious about the rules and lore behind the werewolf curse in ‘An American Werewolf in London,’ this video delves into the details, breaking down the transformation and its impact on the characters. It’s a great watch for fans of the film and anyone interested in werewolf mythology.

An American Werewolf in London Behind The Scenes – The Wolf (1981) – Horror Movie

For fans of practical effects and monster movies, this behind-the-scenes video is a must-watch. It showcases the incredible work that went into creating the werewolf in ‘An American Werewolf in London,’ from the design to the makeup and prosthetics.

American Werewolf in London (COLOR!!) Halloween Horror Nights 2014 Universal Studios Hollywood

If you’re a fan of horror experiences and theme park thrills, this video takes you inside the ‘An American Werewolf in London’ maze. It’s a great way to relive the fear and excitement of the film in a whole new dimension.

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