An American Werewolf in London – Review

As American buddies David (Naughton) and Jack (Dunne) backpack through northern Britain, they are given advice by their truck driver to stay on the road despite their wanting to see the North York Moors. The pair are grad students from New York, out to have a great time exploring on a three-month European tour. First north Britain, Italy next. The pair trudge off, talking about girl conquests and planning their futures. They hit up a small pub, full of grumbly locals that aren’t taking kindly to their visit. They warn off the kids, doubling down on advice to stay clear of the moors.

As they start walking again, they chat, and do not abide the townsfolk’s advice, heading out into night. This is shortly realized as the pair start hearing some ominous growling, howling, and rustling. They realize that it has gotten very late, and despite the full moon’s light, they are trudging through a dark field, nowhere near their goal of an overnight stay at a hostel.

Tragedy strikes, as the pair are ravenously descended upon by a dark creature with large teeth. Or at least it appears that way, as when gunshots ring out and townsfolk rush to the rescue, there is only a man’s naked body left behind. David passes out.

While David wakes up weeks later in the hospital, his friend Jack is not so lucky and succumbed to his wounds. Next comes a hike in supernatural affairs, as David tries to unravel the mystery of what happened to him and his friend Jack that night.

This movie is packed with dark humor and crazy fantasy moments, as well as passing for a pretty good werewolf affair. It compacts all sorts of zany ideas into a cohesive and a bit silly horror comedy. It is a nice examination on what one should do to avoid becoming a werewolf, or how screwed you are if you become one.

The effects are pretty awesome for the early 80s and the touches of psychological horror with dark comedy layered on top makes for an interesting time. The main character is somewhat sympathetic, but also put at odds with the “hero” status of being the focal point. This film was well put together, and still plays pretty well today.

There was a semi-reboot type thing An American Werewolf in Paris, but I don’t recall that one being a lot to look forward to.