An American Werewolf in London Blu-ray Review
It's just a flesh wound!
STORYTELLING: 
The film follows two Americans, David Kessler (David Naughton) and Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne), who decide to go backpacking through the North Yorkshire Moors, and make a pit stop at a pub they will never forget. The two quickly make themselves unwelcome with brash American curiosity, and are forced to tough it out in the cold, dark night.
Foolishly, the two Yanks go traveling off road (in a full moon, no less) and – surprise! – are attacked by an animal. While Jack is viciously mauled to death, David is only injured. Collapsing on the ground, the beast reveals itself to be none other than a werewolf.
David awakens in a hospital, only to learn of an elaborate cover story concocted by the townsfolk to dismiss any claim of an animal attack. He begins to bond with his beautiful nurse, Alex, and his physician, curious to David’s insistence that it was no man that attacked him, begins his own investigation.
Lucid fever dreams and an unexpected visit from his seemingly undead friend, Jack, begin to fuel David’s paranoia that he is transforming into some kind a monster – a carnivorous werewolf.
The rest of the film follows the budding relationship between David and Alex (Jenny Agutter), as the two fall in love, David’s deteriorating mental state as he begins to turn into a creature of the night, and his doctor’s inevitable conclusion that something suspicious obviously happened that night on the Moors.
It culminates in an abrupt climax, one of the film’s few faults, and a heartbreaking finale that is bittersweet in its resolution. With a brisk 90 minute running time, the hasty conclusion makes you wonder if something got left on the cutting room floor.
It is not all tears and thrills, as Landis’ penchant for comedy is on full display from the first frame. Landis litters his film with visual gags, and the interactions between David and the undead Jack (who deteriorates throughout the film) usually border on perversely funny. Landis’ unique blend of humor and horror serves as a precursor to later films such as Shaun of the Dead.
The film is also incredibly sweet, and the chemistry between actors David Naughton and Jenny Agutter is palpable. All the character actors turn in strong performances, highlighted by Griffin Dunne’s noteworthy take on a role that could have gone either way.
Perhaps the true star is Rick Baker’s stunning makeup work, which is still something of an industry benchmark. Baker’s skill is evident throughout, from ghastly prosthetics to unsettling creature effects. The apex of which is the stunning, on screen transformation sequence; an accomplishment that set the bar for special effects artists.
The film has caught some flack in recent years for its minimalist approach to werewolf lore, but Landis knows when not to screw with a good thing. There might be no silver bullets and unexplained paranormal elements, but delving into the tiny details would threaten to unravel all the mystery.
Most notable, is that despite it all – sequels, imitators and rumors of a possible remake – An American Werewolf in London has remained the most culturally significant werewolf film for the past three decades.
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