“An American Werewolf in London” is a horror-comedy film directed by John Landis in 1981. The story follows David Kessler (David Naughton) and his friend Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne), two American college students who embark on a backpacking trip across the picturesque countryside of England.
While wandering through the remote moors late at night, David and Jack are attacked by a mysterious creature. Jack is killed, but David survives the brutal assault, only to awaken in a London hospital weeks later. Haunted by vivid nightmares and a sense of impending doom, David is visited by the ghost of his deceased friend, Jack, who warns him that he has become a werewolf.
David’s transformation into a fearsome creature becomes inevitable as the full moon approaches. Confused and terrified, he seeks solace in the arms of a nurse named Alex Price (Jenny Agutter), whom he meets during his hospital stay.
Together, they embark on a desperate quest to find a way to break the curse before David unleashes his savage nature upon the unsuspecting streets of London.
As David’s lycanthropic nature takes hold, he experiences a series of violent and gruesome transformations, leaving a trail of bloodshed in his wake. With each moonlit night, his condition worsens, and the body count rises, causing panic and hysteria throughout the city. Meanwhile, a relentless detective named Inspector Villiers becomes determined to end the mysterious killings.
Driven by his love for Alex and a desperate desire to end his suffering, David searches for answers. His journey leads him to an eccentric werewolf hunter named Dr. Hirsch, who reveals the grim truth about his condition and offers a potential solution. However, time is running out, and David must face the dire consequences of his actions and confront his inner beast.
“The American Werewolf in London” is a horror story that combines traditional werewolf mythology with a modern urban setting and dark humor. It was particularly famous for its practical special effects, including the incredible “transformation” sequences designed by the renowned Rick Baker.
The film showcases Landis’ unique blend of horror and comedy, taking viewers on an exciting and gruesome journey through London’s streets. It’s worth noting that Landis directed this film two years before directing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” music video.
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