An American Werewolf In London

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.

***This review is only for the 2019 Arrow Blu Ray release*** I previously had the original Blu-ray release from 2009 (the Full Moon edition). Arrow’s 2019 Blu Ray is vastly superior in both video and audio and it’s not close. While I haven’t seen Arrow’s 4k release of this film (I’m generally not a big fan of older movies in 4k), it would be hard to imagine it’s too much better than this blu ray version. One of my favorite movies finally has the look (and sound) it deserves. Cheers!

Excellent Reissue! Another great Arrow release. This blue ray is preferred to the Arrow 4k which differs greatly in its color grading. This version American Werewolf In London looks best.

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.

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

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.

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

I purchased American werewolf in London both on 4K & Blu Ray only because I’m a diehard fan of this film and I want to see all scans of this fantastic classic! Wasn’t disappointed . As a Canadian I usually purchase from Amazon.ca but it was much cheaper to purchase the 4K set from Amazon.com saved more then $20 cad . Took about a week to arrive which was great but unfortunately their is damage to the box sleeve top left corner is mushed in ! Looks terrible ! Not impressed ! There were a few more dents in the box to & you can see them by using the photos I provided. Really wish they would do more to monitor quality control when you spend $100 CAD on one movie in 2 different formats you expect to receive the item in perfect condition! The box and everything else that comes with it is half the value and sometimes more and they treat it like it’s wrapping paper smh ! We are collectors the value drops significantly when you send us damaged items ! If I encounter one more problem I won’t come back! This is the third problem in a row! First it was false advertising on a previous purchase they did nothing to rectify the situation , second was wasting my time with inaccurate tracking info and now a damaged item . This isn’t acceptable ?!! I give 5 stars for the film and it’s extras but for the service id give 2 stars . So hopefully next time things go smoothly . I’m not reviewing the film in detail I don’t need to a million others have done this I just wanted to review the service and the casing and extras that come with the film . See pics for details everything you get is awesome if it shows up in perfect shape .

良かったです

Lo he visto la peli varias veces y es un clásico! Aúnque había problema con el producto, atención de cliente ha sido muy bueno y rápido con la devolucion. Por lo tanto doy un 5.

One of the best films ever. Great on blu ray.

An American Werwolf in London UHD-BD Limited Edition von Turbine Medien Begeisterung in einem Satz: Wenn man den Film „American Werwolf“ kennt und mag und sich seiner Einflussnahme auf spätere Filme, insbesondere Horrorfilme, bewusst ist, oder wenn man den Film gerade für sich entdeckt, haben Turbine Medien mit diesem Release wenn nicht DAS umfangreichste, dann zumindest ein SEHR umfangreiches Sammlerstück veröffentlicht, wie man es sich nur wünschen kann. Hier alles aufzuzählen würde zu lange dauern. Die Details sind hinlänglich bekannt. Zu erwähnen wären allerdings die Art-Card zu „See you next Wednesday“ (Ich habe immer noch Lachtränen in den Augen), die Bierdeckel vom „Slaughtered Lamb“ (grandios) und natürlich das Buch. Ich wurde hier positiv überrascht, war doch nirgends nachzulesen, ob dieses Buch in Deutsch oder Englisch vorliegt. Nun, es liegt in Deutsch vor.  Bewertung der Bild- und Tonqualität folgt. Die UHD wurde vom original 35 mm negativ in 4 K gescannt. Das Bild sieht für das Alter hervorragend aus. Die Farben sind natürlich gehalten, bzw. lehnen sich an den Film an, d.h. gerade im Moor und auf dem Land sind die Farben eintönig und etwas fade, so wie es im Film auch war. Sobald aber Lichter, Tag und buntere Kleidung hinzukommen, entwickelt sich das Bild sehr gut. Obwohl der erweiterte Farbraum Rec.2020 und HDR zum Einsatz kommen, merkt man das nicht unbedingt. Das Bild wirkt eher ein wenig weichgefiltert in manchen Einstellungen. Insgesamt empfand ich den Film in seiner Farbgestaltung als sehr gut, wenn auch nicht so poppig wie neuere Produktionen. Vielleicht gibt das Bonus-Material noch mehr Auskunft über die Restaurierung. Die Synchronisation ist übrigens original. Die fehlende Telefonszene wurde nachsynchronisiert, mit den original Stimmen. Und die Tonspur wurde aufwendig restauriert. Das Set beinhaltet eine Bonus BD, die vollgestopft ist, mit Features, Making-ofs, Interviews, Storyboardvergleichen, etc. Insgesamt einige Stunden. Die Beiträge sind unterschiedliche alt. Die Neuesten sind von 2019 von Arrow. Ältere sind von 2014, 2011, 2009, 2001, etc. Entsprechend unterschiedlich ist auch die Qualität. Ein Beitrag ist sogar von 1981! Insgesamt bekommt man sehr viele Infos geboten, über die Entstehung des Films, über John Landis, die aufwendigen Effekte, alle möglichen Probleme, rund um die Produktion, etc. Das ist alles sehr interessant. Vieles wiederholt sich aber in verschiedenen Beiträgen. Unter dem Strich handelt es sich bei den Extras für Film Fans sehr gute Beiträge, mit vielen Blicken hinter die Kulissen des Filmgeschäfts. Was mir persönlich fehlt, ist ein Beitrag über die aufwendige Restaurierung. Ansonsten: Top

"An American Werewolf in London " ( früher nur "American Werewolf" ) ist ein Klassiker des Werwolf-Horrorfilms und bietet noch heute eine erfrischend andere, weniger schwermütige Version des Stoffs. Die Trickszenen sind auch nach heutigen Maßstäben durchaus effektvoll ( gut, da in den meisten Filmen die CGI mehr als überdeutlich ist, was übrigens bereits in dem absolut dümmlichen Nachfolger "An American Werewolf in Paris" sichtbar wurde, sind die handgemachten Tricks heute wunderbar ) und die Szenen rund um den Picadilly Circus, die Traumsequenzen und das Porno-Kino ikonisch. Die damals ( und heute eigentlich immer noch ) unbekannten Schauspieler agieren natürlich und glaubwürdig, meist geschloffene Dialoge und eine vorhandene Story, gewürzt mit schwarzem Humor und das neblige englische Land wie das graue London als stimmungsvolle Kulisse. Klar, es ist kein Torture oder Violence Porn à la SAW oder HOSTEL, aber für Horror-Einsteiger und Menschen, die eine unheimliche, gut erzählte Horror-Story zu schätzen wissen ein durchaus Gänrhaut erzeugendes Vergnügen.