Fresh
Not just gory but actually frightening, not just funny but clever, 'American Werewolf...' has its flaws, but these are outweighed by the film's many, mighty strengths.
Tom Huddleston, Time Out
An American Werewolf in London
Beware the moon.
1981 · 1h 37m · R
Comedy, Horror
Directed by
John Landis
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An American Werewolf in London
Overview
American tourists David and Jack are savagely attacked by an unidentified animal while hiking on the Yorkshire Moors. After retiring to the home of a beautiful nurse to recuperate, David soon begins experiencing disturbing changes to his body and mind.
Director and cast
- John Landis Director
- David Naughton as David Kessler
- Griffin Dunne as Jack Goodman
- Jenny Agutter as Nurse Alex Price
- John Woodvine as Dr. J.S. Hirsch
- Don McKillop as Inspector Villiers
- Brian Glover as Chess Player
- David Schofield as Dart Player
- Lila Kaye as Barmaid
- Rik Mayall as Second Chess Player
- Sean Baker as Second Dart Player
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
80%
Tomatometer
Fresh
A clever mixture of comedy and horror which succeeds in being both funny and scary, An American Werewolf in London possesses an overriding eagerness to please that prevents it from becoming off-putting.
Variety Staff, Variety
Rotten
It's a failure, less because the odd stylistic mix doesn't take (it does from time to time, and to striking effect) than because Landis hasn't bothered to put his story into any kind of satisfying shape.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
Rotten
Seems curiously unfinished, as if director John Landis spent all his energy on spectacular set pieces and then didn't want to bother with things like transitions, character development, or an ending.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Rotten
When the movie backfires, which it finally does, it's because too much grisly footage has been used too lightly.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
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