An American Werewolf In London
The Plot
While on a backpacking trip across the lonely moors of northern England, American hikers David and Jack end up stopping for the night at a pub called the “Slaughtered Lamb.” It quickly becomes clear that it’s not the kind of place they want to spend the night, so Jack and David make to leave; before they go, one of the locals gives them a series of cryptic warnings to stay on the road and beware the full moon. Before long Jack and David hear blood-curdling howls from further out on the moors, and after getting lost, are attacked by an enormous creature that the villagers from the pub only barely manage to shoot. But when inspecting the body afterward, it’s obviously that of a man.
Waking up in the hospital later, David has no memory of what happened; he’s told he was mauled by an escaped lunatic, but as strange events crop up and the moon grows closer and closer to full, David can no longer deny that things are about to go distinctly hairy.
The Breakdown
A cult classic with just the right amount of camp, An American Werewolf in London tells a great werewolf story without ever taking itself too seriously. The transformation sequence was absolutely ground-breaking for the time, and still look pretty damn good today. It’s a great balance of horror and comedy that still manages to shock you.
The Scare Factor
Though not “cover your eyes” scary, An American Werewolf in London tells a competent horror story that’s also a wild ride with neat practical effects and a great sense of humor.