An American Werewolf in London

An American Werewolf in London

An American Werewolf in London is a 1981 horror comedy film directed by John Landis. The film follows the story of two American tourists who are attacked by a werewolf while traveling in England. It is known for its groundbreaking special effects and dark humor.

Plot

The film begins with two American college students, David Kessler and Jack Goodman, backpacking through the English countryside. They are warned by the locals to stay on the road and beware of the full moon. Ignoring the warnings, they venture off the path and are attacked by a werewolf. Jack is killed, but David survives and wakes up in a London hospital.

As David recovers, he is haunted by disturbing dreams and visions of his deceased friend Jack, who warns him that he will transform into a werewolf during the next full moon. David is initially skeptical, but as the full moon approaches, he starts experiencing strange symptoms and begins to believe Jack's warning.

During the full moon, David transforms into a werewolf and goes on a rampage through the streets of London, causing chaos and terror. The film showcases impressive special effects as David's transformation is depicted in a realistic and horrifying manner.

After the rampage, David wakes up naked in the zoo's wolf enclosure, surrounded by dead bodies. He is taken into custody by the police but is later released due to lack of evidence. David seeks help from a nurse named Alex Price, with whom he develops a romantic relationship.

As the next full moon approaches, David becomes increasingly desperate to find a way to break the curse. He seeks advice from a group of undead victims, including Jack, who explain that he must kill himself to end the werewolf curse. David is torn between his love for Alex and his desire to prevent further bloodshed.

In the climactic final scene, David transforms into a werewolf once again and goes on a rampage in a crowded cinema. He is ultimately shot and killed by the police, while Alex watches in horror. The film ends with a bittersweet tone, as David's death brings an end to the curse but leaves behind a trail of destruction.

Production

An American Werewolf in London was written and directed by John Landis, who drew inspiration from classic werewolf films such as The Wolf Man (1941). Landis wanted to create a film that combined horror and comedy, resulting in a unique blend of genres.

The film's special effects were created by Rick Baker, who won an Academy Award for his work. The transformation scenes, in particular, were groundbreaking at the time and set a new standard for practical effects in horror films.

Reception

An American Werewolf in London was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It received praise for its innovative special effects, dark humor, and engaging storyline. The film has since become a cult classic and is considered one of the greatest werewolf films of all time.

Legacy

The success of An American Werewolf in London led to a sequel, An American Werewolf in Paris (1997), although it was not as well-received as the original. The film's influence can be seen in subsequent werewolf films and its impact on the horror genre as a whole.

See also

• Werewolf films
• John Landis
• Rick Baker

External links

An American Werewolf in London

Rotten Tomatoes

AllMovie

• An American Werewolf in London poster.jpg

  An American Werewolf in London poster