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

With Halloween just around the corner, I have just the movie to get you in the mood for the season. An American Werewolf in London may be over 20 years old, but it still has enough thrills and chills to make your skin crawl, and besides, it's hilariously funny!

The plot revolves around two college students, David and Jack, who are on vacation, exploring the English countryside. They are warned by locals to stay on the road and not to venture out onto the moor, with no further explanation. By nightfall, they become hungry and receive a very cold reception at a pub called The Slaughtered Lamb. Tense scenes from this sequence, forewarn the viewer of the creepy events to follow.

As luck would have it, there is a full moon overhead and the two friends fail to heed the warning of the locals. They are both attacked by a savage beast on the British moor.

David wakes up in the hospital, where he is being taken care of by an attractive young Nurse, Alex Price. Before long, David begins to receive visits from Jack in various stages of decomposition, warning him that, he (Jack), is doomed to walk the earth in limbo until the curse is lifted. In order to break the curse, according to Jack, David must undergo a frightening metamorphosis to a werewolf, and must die. David does not take the warnings seriously, and believes he is just having nightmares.

In the meantime, David is released from the hospital and moves in with Nurse Price. One day while he is home alone, he begins to feel extremely restless. Right before our eyes he is transformed, in an amazing film sequence, into a growling werewolf. The rest of the movie is an account of David's murderous nocturnal rampages, from which he recovers, and has no memory, the day after.

The most engaging quality of this film, is that it does not take the horror topic too seriously. Jack's post mortem appearances, in what David refers to as conversations with a meatloaf, are achingly humorous. In one scene in particular, David is on the run after a night of terror, and winds up in a porno movie theater. There he is visited by a couple of his bloody victims, who are chiding him for his vicious attack, as we simultaneously hear the moaning and heavy breathing from the porno flick. This scene is utterly side splitting.

Writer/Director John Landis, has created a timeless work, that is simply one of the best of the genre. By tempering the macabre horror with dark humor, he delivers a beguiling film that defies the formula of lesser entertaining horror films.

The addition of Creedance Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Rising and Van Morrison's Moondance , are a stroke of genius, as is make-up artist Rick Baker's work. He won the first academy award in this category for his work in this film.

The entire package, including fine performances by David Naughton as David, Griffin Dunne, as Jack, and Jenny Agutter as Nurse Price, perfect mood inducing music, horrific special effects, and incredible dark humor make this movie the ultimate Halloween treat. The only drawback is the abrupt ending, but consdiering the overall effect, that is a very minor weakness. So treat yourself to this jaw dropping, side splitting classic this Halloween season.



Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older