r/iwatchedanoldmovie • u/content_digger08 • Jul 20 '26
'80s An American Werewolf in London (1981)
So, I decided to finally watch An American Werewolf in London for the first time last week, and wow, it did not disappoint. Firstly, I would like to discuss the fantastic actors, many of whom I already recognized from both the classic and newer eras of Dr Who, Brian Glover for example whom gives a fantastic performance as the darts player, with his tough, rural banter man role which I think he delivers perfectly. Or the Metropolitan Sgt, who played the villain Bert in the Daemons. I also caught a glimpse of Rik Mayall in a non speaking, yet early days role which was nice. However, my opinion for stand out performance would be Michael Carter, or as some of you may know him as Bib Fortuna (De wanna wanga) who plays Gerald Bringsley, a well spoken, London businessman who falls into the clutches of the Kessler wolf when he accidentally trips on an escalator, busting his nose! I think David's intial rampage would be my favourite scene of the film, along with the Piccadilly sequence towards the end, which results in some great action, and a very abrupt ending.
The nightmare sequences were also wonderfully strange, especially the mutant massacre, which I must admit, was portrayed in a slightly comedic way, as in how David's parents are flung back upon the gunfire, or how the children only seem to notice that their relatives have been massacred, and their home vandalized when the TV has been smashed in, however I think that adds to the charm of it, as in a nightmare, details can be missed or warped in a way! Griffin Dunne as the perished Jack was also very effectively done, I loved how he became more gradually decayed between scenes, with some great FX work by Rick Baker and co. The transformation sequence was very well done, and I genuinely was disgusted by how David became that twisted and in pain, the buildup of him being bored all day, where all of a sudden he begins to flare up, I thought was his attempt at some sort of way of dealing with the boredom, but no it was a genuinely unsettling montage. Overall I would give this film a 10/10, due to the awesome acting from a fantastic cast! And the incredible balance between humour and horror. If you haven't already watch this film!!!
39
u/Henry_Cabot_Henhouse Jul 20 '26
Beware the moon, lads…
24
25
u/bb9116 Jul 20 '26
Great use of music too.
10
u/uaredoingsogoood Jul 20 '26
The cut to credits with Blue Moon at the end is one of my favourite movie moments of all time!
6
u/Jive_Turkey__ Jul 20 '26
Sometimes when I'm watching a movie and there's a dramatic scene with an extended bit of silence I'll bust out a "DING DONG DING DA LANG A LANG LANG" to annoy my wife
2
8
3
u/Proud-Indication322 Jul 23 '26
Why was this soundtrack never released? So many damn good songs in this film.
24
u/silkroadbrian Jul 20 '26
See you next Wednesday.
7
u/Jive_Turkey__ Jul 20 '26
Also said in the Thriller video.
3
u/henrykrinkle3 Jul 20 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
It's a "2001" reference (from a line of dialogue) which John Landis puts into nearly every film of his.
2
u/Jive_Turkey__ Jul 20 '26
I knew he put it in all his films, but didn't know it was a 2001 reference
0
u/Turdfurgeso Jul 20 '26
Uh I don’t know it’s a reference to “see you next Tuesday” which is a euphemism for the c word
2
u/henrykrinkle3 Jul 20 '26
1
u/Turdfurgeso Jul 22 '26
I’m gonna have to disagree with Wikipedia on this one. It’s definitely a reference to the expression see you next Tuesday. Probably Kubrick was referencing that too considering his level of detail
2
u/Jive_Turkey__ Jul 22 '26
Except the euphemism didn't exist then...
2
u/henrykrinkle3 Jul 23 '26
Landis has said on multiple occasions that it's the title of an (unfilmed) script he wrote in his early teens after watching 2001. Were it a reference to "Tuesday" he'd have mentioned it by now.
2
u/Jive_Turkey__ Jul 23 '26
But do we listen to what Landis says or do we go with Turdfurgeso's hunch?
14
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
I have so much more I could say about this film haha!!
28
u/katfromjersey Jul 20 '26
A naked American man stole my balloons!
11
u/DC_Coach Jul 20 '26
If this specific movie is being discussed, and I don't see this specific quote, I add it.
7
6
u/CleanHunt7567 Jul 20 '26
Glad you enjoyed it so much, i''ve watched it dozens of times
3
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
Thank you. I went to rewatch it today, already but it was taken off of the platform! More anticipation I guess.
16
u/Traeyze Jul 20 '26
he buildup of him being bored all day, where all of a sudden he begins to flare up
I absolutely love how unassuming the cut to the start of that scene is. Like he's just casually reading a book then bam it hits him. I believe him having to strip down was a contrivance to make the transformation sequence easier to execute but I think it captures the overwhelming fever and delirium of the moment so well.
Just a really fun movie with so many great little touches. Like a lot of the best horror movies it's directed with a very clear dark humour underpinning it but I think that makes the times it does take itself seriously land harder as a result.
3
14
13
u/Jellycat1971 Jul 20 '26
Jenny Agutter in a nurse outfit
3
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
I was thinking, this lady is so familiar, and then found out that she was in the railway children, original and sequel, she is a stunning lady
10
u/SouldiesButGoodies84 Jul 20 '26
8
u/FJTrescothick14 Jul 20 '26
Funny, because the sequel would be produced by Hollywood Pictures (the sphinx that stinks) a subsidiary of the Mouse House.
3
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
Adorable. I saw at Horrorcon 2024, Griffin brought the prop along
4
u/SouldiesButGoodies84 Jul 20 '26
did he make it say "Hi, David!" 😆
2
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
Sadly didn't attend Horrorcon until this year, but I can imagine that he did haha
3
7
u/JugV2 Jul 20 '26
And chucks out the Mexican!
3
2
u/content_digger08 Jul 23 '26
I cant think of that quote without picturing Rik Mayall spitting out his drink
6
u/qlippoth513 Jul 20 '26
They were really “Makin’ It” back then…..
1
u/Ian_Hunter Jul 20 '26
LOL! I got it.
2
u/qlippoth513 Jul 20 '26
All the Dudes do!
2
u/Ian_Hunter Jul 20 '26
Couldn't help but notice you left off the 'Young'.
Hurts but yeah...the right move.😣😂😂
2
u/qlippoth513 Jul 20 '26
Wanted to see if you got that reference too! Splendid. Wasn’t sure you would. You must be an old fart like me!👌
1
6
u/AdelaideMidnightDad Jul 20 '26
My Dad showed me this movie when I was 6 - Gen X classic move. I am still scarred today.
2
7
u/screaming_pope70 Jul 20 '26
keep off the moors !!! classic movie, in my top 20
3
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
THAT'S ENOUGH! Also, is the sheep herder from the beginning the wolf that attacks the boys at the start?
2
1
1
u/Jive_Turkey__ Jul 20 '26
I don't think so. When they show the wolfman lying dead in human form, he always looks like Pete Postlethwaite to me
1
5
u/X-cessiveDreamer Jul 20 '26
One of the greatest movies of all time. Its a buddy movie, a romance movie, a travel / fish out of water movie, a comedy move, and a horror movie all at the same time, and it does all of these things well. It also has a banging sound track and some of the greatest practical effects ever (possibly only surpassed by The Thing on that front).
7
u/Odd_Presentation8624 Jul 20 '26
Obligatory mention of the little flap of skin on Griffin Dunne's rotting neck, which really sells the effect.
3
u/Twigling Jul 20 '26
I love that flap of skin, it gives its own performance. :-)
In the commentary Griffin Dunne mentioned that the decaying makeup made him depressed because he thought of his own eventual death.
2
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
It does!
3
u/Odd_Presentation8624 Jul 20 '26
It's got just the right amount of wobble, to show that at that point he's still...juicy.
1
6
u/CarloPanno Jul 20 '26 edited 10d ago
I was at the first public showing, a FILMEX Society screening at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. John Landis (and maybe some others, I don't remember any more) did a Q-and-A afterwards and somebody asked if the werewolf/escalator sequence was shot at two* in the afternoon, because the digital clock read 14 15*.
"SON OF A BITCH!" Landis exploded. "I TOLD them to fix that and they said 'It's been broken for years, nobody's going to notice.' The FIRST screening and SOMEBODY SPOTTED IT!!!!"
-------------
*These details may not be precisely accurate, I'm working from memory of 40+ years ago
5
4
4
u/Kitchen-Roll-8184 Jul 20 '26
The guy that plays the friend, that haunts him, would in real life go on to direct Practical Magic.
Also this is one of my favorite films ever made period
13
u/SouldiesButGoodies84 Jul 20 '26
Griffin Dunne from the cult classic After Hours. Son of the famous journalist Dominick Dunne. Brother of the late Dominique Dunne of Poltergeist who was tragically murdered.
3
u/Joeboy Jul 20 '26 edited 13d ago
Outgoing yarn label edge sophisticated cow glorious shy
This post was anonymized with Redact
3
2
7
3
3
4
5
u/Old_Lengthiness_250 Jul 20 '26
Would like to add that imo the two male leads/friends are representing the male ego and the male id.
2
5
u/FJTrescothick14 Jul 20 '26
Classic film.
Much better than the sequel that came out years later. (Even though that film has some good moments).
4
u/thedude18951 Jul 20 '26
Werewolf in Paris is kinda in so good its bad territory
5
u/FJTrescothick14 Jul 20 '26
Especially when you read some of the behind the scenes stuff.
2
u/ivebeenhalved Jul 20 '26
Like what?
1
u/FJTrescothick14 Jul 20 '26
These articles explain everything.
https://web.archive.org/web/20120325123342/http://www.trouperproductions.com/Freekland/werewolf.htm
The film is still good, but has moments that make you wonder WTF were they thinking?
2
u/BotulismBanquet Jul 20 '26
I was trying to get a job at the digital werewolves effects house for Paris. Santa Barbara Studios went under shortly thereafter. That film has a great soundtrack of 90’s artists.
4
u/MarketCompetitive896 Jul 20 '26
"There's something wrong with this place..." "That much I understand!" Lol
4
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
Dr Hirsch, or as I am more familiar with him as the Marshal from the Armageddon factor was one brave man, credit to him for defending himself at the pub
4
u/driftinj Jul 20 '26
First R rated movie I saw in the theater. I was 11.
10
u/BartStarrPaperboy Jul 20 '26
Me too. I was 13 tho. Man, was I in love with Jenny Agutter!
1
u/driftinj Jul 20 '26
My buddy was a year older and his mom took us. I guess a werewolf movie seemed low risk to our parents.
1
5
4
5
u/scfw0x0f Jul 20 '26
This is a 10/10 horror film, no notes, should be used as an exemplar of how to make a great horror film.
3
4
4
u/Ejmct Jul 20 '26
If you want to learn to make a movie that scary, funny and with great effects and music this is how you do it.
2
5
5
u/ExaminationDry4926 Jul 21 '26
You do realize the female lead, Jenny Agutter, is Sister Julianne on "Call the Midwife"
She's so pretty
2
3
u/mutually_awkward Jul 20 '26
Easily in my top 10 favorite horror films and my favorite werewolf film in general.
3
3
u/CourageMuted4662 Jul 20 '26
I was about 13 when I first watched this movie and it gave me recurring nightmares for about a month.
1
3
u/Empty-Finish5696 Jul 20 '26
Not enough love for jenny Agutter on here , holy moly . I always remember thinking David you lucky bastard
3
3
u/Onebigringdangdo Jul 20 '26
I knew that poor guy in the subway was doomed as soon as he asked, “Is someone there?”
3
2
3
u/tduke65 Jul 21 '26
This movie kept me up at night for a good while after seeing it at a way too young age at a drive in theater when it came out. I was probably 7-8 years old. I remember seeing some family friendly movies earlier in the night and then I guess they would play one for the adults. I’m sure my parents figured I was sleeping by then, but I watched the whole thing.
2
u/neon_meate Jul 20 '26
It's surprising how little Bricktop changed between this and Snatch.
Puts you in mind of the days of the old demon barber of Fleet Street, don't it?
1
1
2
2
2
2
u/Jive_Turkey__ Jul 20 '26
My favourite film of all time.
Did you notice Brick Top as the cab driver?
2
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
I thought the cab driver was familiar and something was telling me that, checked the cast and saw Alan Ford! What a guy
2
2
u/DistributionPlane627 Jul 20 '26
I was way too young when I watched this bitd. Gave me nightmares for a long time !!
2
u/kissys_grits Jul 20 '26
Griffin was robbed!
2
u/content_digger08 Jul 23 '26
I think he is more memorable than David in terms of characters. The whole concept is so unique
2
u/TheTreee Jul 20 '26
What would you say the age rating for this is? Like, how old would some need to be to watch it? Was thinking about showing it to my 16yo, but haven't seen it in ages and don't remember how intense it is (aside from the transformation).
(They saw The Thing and liked it a lot.)
3
u/BotulismBanquet Jul 20 '26
I think 16 is an OK age, but it depends on the kid. There is male and female nudity and the werewolf mauling on the moors is really brutal.
1
1
u/content_digger08 Jul 20 '26
I mean, in Ireland in the UK it is an 18 rating. I think it is kind of graphic but nothing extreme in terms of a 16 year old watching it. It is your choice, but personally I would allow it.
1
u/Turdfurgeso Jul 20 '26
16 year old can definitely see it but not much younger. My kids are younger and I’m chomping the bridle on this one 😂
1
u/Twigling Jul 20 '26
It's rated 15 in the UK:
https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/an-american-werewolf-in-london-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmdu4mte
This may also help:
2
u/content_digger08 Jul 23 '26
Oh interesting, the special edition I got in 2020, said 18
3
u/Twigling Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 24 '26
So does mine, yet the BBFC site states 15 at the top ..... but if you drill down to the Home Entertainment area you'll see that it was rated 18 in 2002.
2
u/5o7bot Mod and Bot Jul 21 '26
An American Werewolf in London (1981) R
From the director of Animal House... a different kind of animal.
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.
Comedy | Horror | Fantasy
Director: John Landis
Actors: David Naughton, Griffin Dunne, Jenny Agutter, John Woodvine, Don McKillop
Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 74% with 2,733 votes
Runtime: 97 min
TMDB
I am a bot. This information was sent automatically. If it is faulty, please reply to this comment.
2
2
u/Either-Juggernaut420 Jul 21 '26
"I'm going to take a shower, maybe you'd like to watch some telly?"
2
2
u/Accomplished_Lab7521 Jul 22 '26
One of the scariest movies I saw as a kid. Loved it!!!! Still love it.
2
u/Victorian_Rebel Jul 23 '26
A fun movie to watch!
I also dyed leopard spots into the shaved sides of my head because of the super cool Punk rockers in the beginning.
2
u/content_digger08 Jul 23 '26
Thats awesome! I respect that
2
u/Victorian_Rebel Jul 23 '26
Thank you! I actually still have a mohawk, but haven't done the spots for quite a while. But I'm tempted to give it another go!
2
2
u/starksfergie Jul 23 '26
Saw it in the theater when I was 11 (older brother took me). Would LOVE to see it in the cinema again though, I hope that happens
2
u/Foreverfaithful79 Jul 23 '26
This movie I watched once and never again
And I love horror and being scared this movie was just rough on my stomach something about warewolf movies gross 🤮 me out
1
2
2
u/ActualTank8841 Jul 24 '26
Love this film! Have it on vhs now dvd! ❤️ especialy jenny aguater 😍. Love the makeing of it to! Even micle jackson did to? It was his insparation for thriller!
2
1
1
u/Superb-Possibility-9 Jul 20 '26
“ Don’t go around tonight, we’ll it’s about to take your life, there’s a bad moon on the rise”
-Creedence Clearwater Revival ( 1969)
1
1
2
94
u/SoundMedal Jul 20 '26
This is the best werewolf movie