An American Werewolf in London [DVD]

Still the Gold Standard for Werewolf Movies If you just rented this on Prime Video, you’re in for a treat—though maybe don’t eat a heavy meal during the transformation scene. Even decades after its 1981 release, An American Werewolf in London remains a staggering achievement in horror-comedy that modern CGI still struggles to match. Why It Holds Up: • Rick Baker’s Practical Magic: There’s a reason this movie won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup. The transformation sequence isn't just a visual trick; it’s visceral. You can practically feel the bones snapping and the skin stretching. It treats the change as a painful, agonizing process rather than a magical "poof," which makes it infinitely more terrifying. • The Tone: John Landis (fresh off Animal House and The Blues Brothers) manages a nearly impossible balancing act. One minute you’re laughing at the dry, dark wit of a decaying undead friend, and the next you’re genuinely tense during the iconic London Underground chase. • The Soundtrack: The clever use of "Moon" themed songs (Blue Moon, Bad Moon Rising, Moondance) adds a layer of ironic charm that perfectly complements the grisly subject matter. • The Setting: The transition from the eerie, foggy Yorkshire moors (and the "Slaughtered Lamb" pub) to the bustling, neon-lit chaos of Piccadilly Circus provides a fantastic sense of scale and isolation. Things to Look Out For: • The "Undead" Jack: Griffin Dunne is brilliant as David’s best friend. Watching him progressively decay through different stages of rot is both gruesome and hilarious—his casual attitude toward his own decomposition is a highlight of the script. • The Ending: Without spoilers, it’s abrupt. It doesn’t overstay its welcome or try to wrap everything up in a neat bow, which leaves you with a lingering sense of tragedy. Bottom Line: Whether you’re a horror buff or just looking for a classic movie night, this is essential viewing. It’s a reminder of a time when "movie magic" meant physical craft, patience, and a lot of latex.

Love this movie! loved bonus disc, including interviews w/stars , making of film special effects!

Great older movie on DVD, this is a movie I remember from years ago. Not the best graphics but okay for it's time

great Movie.

A Howling Masterpiece of Horror and Dark Humor. An American Werewolf in London is one of those rare films that sinks its teeth into you and never really lets go. It’s a brilliant collision of bone-chilling horror and sharp, unexpected humor, crafted with a confidence that feels just as fresh today as it must have in 1981. What immediately stands out is the atmosphere. The film opens with an eerie quiet that slowly builds into a sense of dread, like something lurking just beyond the frame. Director John Landis balances tension and absurdity with surprising finesse. One moment you’re gripping the edge of your seat, the next you’re caught off guard by dark humor that somehow makes everything even more unsettling. Then there’s the transformation scene. Even decades later, it remains one of the most jaw-dropping practical effects sequences ever put to film. No shortcuts, no cheap tricks, just raw, physical, painful metamorphosis that feels disturbingly real. It’s not just a spectacle—it’s storytelling through sheer craftsmanship, and it still outclasses much of what CGI tries to accomplish today. David Naughton delivers a strong performance as David, grounding the film with a believable mix of vulnerability and confusion. His descent into something monstrous is both tragic and terrifying. Meanwhile, Griffin Dunne as Jack brings a strange, almost playful energy to the role of the undead companion, adding layers of dark comedy without ever undercutting the horror. The pacing is tight, never overstaying its welcome, and the use of music—especially the clever wolf-themed tracks—adds a unique personality that keeps the film from feeling like a standard creature feature. It’s stylish without being flashy, confident without being overindulgent. What really elevates the film is how it blends tones without collapsing under the weight of either. It’s funny, but never silly. It’s scary, but never hollow. It understands that horror works best when you care about what’s being lost. In the end, this isn’t just a werewolf movie—it’s a genre-defining experience. Brutal, witty, atmospheric, and unforgettable. A true classic that still prowls at the top of horror cinema.

Looks good on 4k, but I'm not sure if it's definitively better than bluray.

Always loved this movie.

I ordered this movie the other day because it belongs in any horror fan's collection. I haven't received yet, so my review is simply about the movie (which I've seen a number of times). First and foremost, this movie is flat-out entertaining regardless of your preconceptions about werewolf movies. In reading a number of the negative reviews about this movie there are concerns about the special effects. There is no CGI in this movie. Everything is done with live actors, make-up, and mock-ups. These old-school effects are top notch, and were groundbreaking at the time. To me CGI has become rather commonplace. Unless it it very, very, VERY good (i.e. Golem in Lord of the Rings) it creates the same disappointment I feel when watching the cheesy animated fireside transformation in The Howling (Special Edition) (an otherwise excellent movie). If you simply must have CGI in your movie, don't bother to buy this one. Another objection is that the movie had a poor ending, or that the script didn't faithfully portray the werewolf legend. I take exception to both of these assessments. There are two basic types of werewolf movie in my opinion, the classic and the shapeshifter. What is the difference? The classic werewolf is a victim, and changes in accordance with the lunar cycle. These changes are painful, unavoidable, and result in a fugue period. After the transformation he is unaware of his rampage and horrified once he discovers it. The resulting inner turmoil is at the heart of the classic legend and the only release is death, hence the obligatory sad ending. As a viewer (or reader) we are supposed to feel sympathy for the werewolf. The shapeshifter is a different form of werewolf. These guys can change shape whenever they choose. In some stories they can only do this during the lunar cycle, but more often than not it truly is an "at will" transformation. They are usually happy with their lot, and relish the power it brings them. No one feels sympathy for this type of werewolf. They are generally (but not exclusively) little more than a common criminal in werewolf clothing, and usually are found in packs -- unlike their classic counterpart who is a loner. The Howling is one of these types of films, as is the follow up to this movie: An American Werewolf in Paris . Shapeshifters are very popular at the moment. An American Werewolf in London is a classic werewolf horror movie with some humor injected. Rather than detract, the humor actually highlights the underlying horror. It is like the uneasy laugh of a boy walking home though a graveyard at night. The script is good, the acting above average, and the special effects still hold up very well indeed. The story takes you from the moors of Yorkshire to Piccadilly Circus in London as you follow David in his journey through lycanthopy. There is plenty of blood, howling, romance, some nudity (another horror staple), and humor. I heartily recommend this movie if you like the classic werewolf and can live without CGI.

Una de mis favoritas de la infancia, un clásico, la primera copia que me llegó el estuche todo roto, así que me tuve que pedir otra copia.

Con le voci originali, si apprezza ancora meglio! Un classico intramontabile, dove horror e humour si fondono sapientemente. Il più bel film di John Landis

Super le flim horreur merci

No tiene audio en español.

very good blu-ray