An American Werewolf in London
An American Werewolf in London ★★★ 1981 (R)
Strange, darkly humorous version of the classic man-into-wolf horror tale became a cult hit, but never clicked with most American critics. Two American college students, David (Naughton) and Jack (Dunne), are backpacking through England when thy're viciously attacked by a werewolf one foggy night. Jack is killed, but keeps appearing (in progressively decomposed form) before the seriously wounded David, warning him of impending werewolfdom when the moon is full; Jack advises suicide. Seat-jumping horror and gore, highlighted by intensive metamorphosis sequences orchestrated by Rick Baker, are offset by wry humor, though the shifts in tone don't always work. Great moon songs permeate the soundtrack, including CCR's “Bad Moon Rising” and Van Morrison's “Moondance.” Followed by “An American Werewolf in Paris” (1997). 97m/ C VHS, DVD, HD DVD . GB David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter, Frank Oz, Brian Glover, Lila Kaye, David Schofield, John Woodvine, Don McKillop, Paul Kember, Colin Fernandes, Rik Mayall, Paddy Ryan; D: John Landis; W: John Landis; C: Robert Paynter; M: Elmer Bernstein. Oscars '81: Makeup.