Plot Details: This opinion reveals everything about the movie's plot.

I could probably count on one hand the number of movies that have successfully combined horror and comedy. Let's see..."Creepshow" was OK (mostly because Stephen King was such a numbskull), and, um, I can't really come up with any other candidates off the top of my head. Sure, some horror movies are absurd, others are goofy, but how many are actually funny AND scary to any degree?

I've always liked "An American Werewolf in London" for that reason. I know, the werewolf looks really awful and fake, but the movie does have lots of atmosphere (mostly in the beginning, out on the moors), a few freaky moments (scenes in the woods, the zombie/werewolf Nazi attack), and some chuckle-inducers, courtesy of the interactions between the main character and his dead friend. Oh yeah, the transformation scenes were really ahead of their time, as well.

As usual, read no more if you don't like spoilers.

"An American Werewolf In London" was directed by John Landis, whose claim to fame is "Animal House". He didn't leave the goofiness behind for this picture, and he selected two actors who really enhance the silliness. David Naughton (known for his appearance in Dr. Pepper commercials back in the 70's) stars as David Kessler, an American who is backpacking through Europe with his friend, Jack Goodman (played by Griffin Dunne). How they ended up on the moors of Wales or northern England (the movie says one thing, the DVD case another) is not explained, but that's OK- the scenery is a winner.

So, David and Jack end up in a crowded British pub called the "Slaughtered Lamb" on a rainy, cold night, with a full moon hanging overhead. They are not treated hospitably by the locals, especially when they ask about the purpose of the five-pointed star drawn on the wall (it's to keep away shape-shifters). Ejected from the establishment, the two saunter off into the foggy night, completely disregarding the locals' warnings to avoid the moors. Their foolishness is rewarded by a werewolf attack that leaves Jack mangled and David hospitalized in London.

David's adventures in the British capital include frequent visits with an increasingly more decayed Jack (who encourages David to break the curse by killing himself), love-making sessions with a hot nurse named Alex Price (with whom he moves in following his release from the hospital), and, of course, transformations into a lycanthrope. As the bodies start racking up, David tries to make Alex understand his dilemma, but she dismisses his werewolf blabber and visions of Jack as a by-product of trauma. Only when a concerned doctor verifies the werewolf tale in the remote hamlet does Alex realize how much trouble David is in.

Some have bashed the movie for its abrupt ending, which naturally culminates in the execution of the werewolf by a group of police snipers. It does seem a tad rushed, and I wish Landis would've come up with a more creative and satisfying conclusion, but let's not allow the last ten minutes to ruin the rest of the experience, 'kay?

There is not a ton of gore in this movie, but there's probably enough to disturb the overly squeamish (especially the part where Jack's torn-open, steaming abdominal cavity is shown). The transformation scene is truly impressive, and makes turning into a werewolf look like a rather painful process. Few of the murders are actually shown, although all of the victims come back in their bloody glory to urge David to do the deed (in a porno theater, of all places). The noisy, traffic pile-up that occurs in Trafalgar Square (I think) while the werewolf is stalking the city must have cost a bundle.

Out of all the early 80's horror movies I treasure, this is by far the funniest. The characters, even the ones who refuse to remain deceased, are funny and easy to relate to, which is probably why the outcome seems so sad. Naughton and Dunne are obviously very talented actors (as is Jenny Agutter, the beautiful Brit who played Alex), and I'm surprised they did not achieve far greater success. John Landis was smart enough to not attempt a sequel, although some moron did make "An American Werewolf In Paris", which unsuccessfully tried to tie in elements from the original. The DVD, by the way, includes a "Making Of" featurette that is very informative.

If you've never seen this film (and if I haven't already ruined it for you), check it out. It's got a lot of mood, a little horror, a few laughs, and some great British scenery, both urban and rural. It would be irresponsible of me to recommend it to youngsters, but I saw and enjoyed it at the tender age of eight, so I think kids can handle it. The sexual scenes, the profanity, the gore, the oldies songs...they're nothing compared to what the youth see and hear nowadays. The special effects will seem a touch primitive to your CGI-saturated retinas, but the plot is far more interesting and original than any of the poop that's come out recently. Enjoy it and stay away from the moors.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD

Write a Review