An American Werewolf in London An American Werewolf in London
1981 Directed by John Landis
Synopsis
Beware the Moon.
Two American tourists in England are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.
Cast
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This is not a classic in terms of quality. But It is a very good film.
It's dated slightly, but its still scary, violent and very funny.
Flaws?, it has shit loads. There is a bizarre muddled view of us Brits, the dream sequences, and the whole ending is a mess really.
The pros? Thankfully there are even more. The quite unbelievable changing special effects, the brilliant suspense from Landis,
.....and Jenny Agutter.
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John Landis' horror comedy is probably the best werewolf movie ever made with a fantastic transformation sequence that still holds up to this day it looks and feels painful, a true landmark moment. A true classic of the genre.
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This film features everything that's great about 80's horror. Unfortunately it also features everything that is bad about 80's horror.
The story was fine, the actors were good enough, and I liked the setting. With this film being released in the 80's though you get a lot of cheesy moments, and some down right ridiculous looking special effects. I was born in 76 so I grew up in the 80's, and for the most part I wasn't impressed with that decade. The film is harmless fun for horror fans though and it's worth a watch for sure.
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Part of Dastardly Difficult December: film nr.80
Yeah, this was yet another long overdue rewatch.
John Landis has made some fantastic films, but this is perhaps his very best. It is the kind of light and breezy horror that only work of you understand both the horror and the comedy genre, and that Mr. Landis does really well.
This is an homage to one if horror's most classic and most mistreated creatures. There are just not that many great werewolf films out there and that probably has a lot to do with the fact that the mythology doesn't give that much room for creativity. And yet, this film manages to do just that. It takes the classic tale of the…
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The December Challenge: Film 2
It’s easy to forget, amid all the blockbusters and big-budget failures of contemporary cinema, just how influential and unique certain films were when they first came out. An American Werewolf in London, arguably one of the best horror-comedies ever made, is a film whose influence has never gone away and one that defines the era in which it was released. Written and directed by John Landis, this is perhaps the film that best strikes the balance between scares and laughs that is required to make the perfect piece of comic-horror. It shifts seamlessly from gruesome, horrifying imagery to laugh-out-loud slapstick and back again, always remembering its purpose and never once straying too far into…
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Horror-comedy is probably the hardest thing to get right, with any successful film becoming an instant cult classic. 'An American Werewolf in London' perhaps isn't as terrifying as it could be - although it certainly has its moments - but its comedic elements are triumphant, with every comic moment being played to perfection.
'American Werewolf' is a much better made film than people give it credit for, with no aspect letting the film down in particular. Although the acting and dialogue are a bit iffy on occasion, they are overall of a high standard, with the whole cast feeling convincing regardless of the size of their role, and the naturalistic dialogue between the two…
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Very fun and actual horrifying at times. It doesn't compare to the horror classics like Evil Dead or The Thing, but god damn does this movie have heart. Fun mostly throughout with some dull, drawn out montages set to 70s rock. But definitely lots of fun. Recommended for Halloween viewings.
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Not much of a plot to speak of, but very cool effects for its time, but a clever premise with what happens to the victims. Was reminded that I hadn't seen it when I visited Seattle recently, and saw an exhibit of some of the makeup and props (including the original “The Slaughtered Lamb” pub sign) at the EMP museum.
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This film features everything that's great about 80's horror. Unfortunately it also features everything that is bad about 80's horror.
The story was fine, the actors were good enough, and I liked the setting. With this film being released in the 80's though you get a lot of cheesy moments, and some down right ridiculous looking special effects. I was born in 76 so I grew up in the 80's, and for the most part I wasn't impressed with that decade. The film is harmless fun for horror fans though and it's worth a watch for sure.
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Probably, overall, my favourite film of all time. It has everything. American Werewolf is completely unique and the effects are incredible (without a pixel of cgi in sight). The werewolf transformation scene remains a benchmark in movie special fx.
When I first saw this, aged 9 (far too young !) it scared the life out of me but as the years went by, I started to appreciate the dark humour. It really is hysterical.
There are some genuinely disturbing, nightmarish scenes too and the whole film has an unsettling mood throughout. It's a very clever, very inventive movie. Nobody takes risks like Landis did here in big budgeted movies anymore, the creativity and daring of his film-making in this film are a thing of wonder. It's movie perfection. See it! -
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I don't think anyone is able to predict that mutant Nazi attack scene on first viewing.
What is there to say about An American Werewolf in London that hasn't been said before? It's wears it's pitch perfect comedy on it collar, it's great scares up it's sleeves and a great amount of heart to seal the deal as the unsung hero of horror films in the last 30 - 40 years.
Without a doubt one of the most perfect horror films ever, and no one will ever be able to replicate it's supremacy!
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Never fails, no matter how many times you see this film. The key to the film it takes it self seriously when it needs to, delivers deadpan laughs but never forgets its a horror film. The set up on the moors, a werewolf then cut to the city but even in the metropolis as an audience we keep with the film.
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Still the best werewolf movie around. One of the classics that can be viewed over and over again - thanks to great acting, good humor, nice effects and gore...
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A classic, yes, packed full of incredible one-liners, effects, scenes and ideas. But each time I watch it I get the feeling it's not quite the sum of its parts. Still love it though...