An American Werewolf in London

An American Werewolf in London is a 1981 film that blends supernatural horror with comedy, written and directed by John Landis. It was a co-production between the United Kingdom and the United States, featuring David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, and John Woodvine. Its title combines *An American in Paris* and *Werewolf of London*. The story follows two American backpackers, David Kessler and Jack Goodman, who are attacked by a werewolf while traveling in England. As a result, David transforms into a werewolf himself when the next full moon rises.

John Landis first wrote the screenplay in 1969, but it sat untouched for more than ten years. Potential backers thought the script was too scary for a comedy and too funny for a horror film. After Landis found success in Hollywood with comedies like *The Kentucky Fried Movie*, *National Lampoon's Animal House*, and *The Blues Brothers*, he secured funding from PolyGram Pictures to make the film.

Released in the United States by Universal Pictures on August 21, 1981, the movie was both a critical and commercial hit. It won the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film at the 9th Saturn Awards in 1982, and makeup artist Rick Baker received the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup. Over time, it gained a cult following. A sequel, *An American Werewolf in Paris*, came out in 1997 from Hollywood Pictures.

**Plot**

Two American graduate students from New York City, David Kessler and Jack Goodman, are hiking across the North York Moors. As night falls, they stop at a pub called the Slaughtered Lamb. Jack notices a five-pointed star on the wall and asks about it, which makes the locals hostile, so the pair leaves. The pub-goers warn them to stay on the road, avoid the moors, and beware of the full moon. David and Jack wander off the road onto the moors, where a vicious creature attacks them. Jack is killed, and David is badly hurt. Some concerned pub-goers who followed them shoot and kill the beast. Instead of an animal carcass, David sees a naked dead man beside him before passing out.

David wakes up three weeks later in a London hospital. Inspector Villiers questions him, saying locals reported that an escaped lunatic attacked them. David insists it was a rabid dog or wolf. Later, an undead Jack appears to David, explaining they were attacked by a werewolf. Since David was bitten, he is now a werewolf too. Jac