An American Werewolf in London

Yessiree, this one came before An American Werewolf in Paris. This wildly entertaining Comedy/Horror is perhaps finally getting all the credit due it with the release of the hipper, modernized sequel mentionned above. I can recall a time when this film was guaranteed to always be on the rack of my favourite local video store, covered in dust and looking ever so unloved. Of course, after the sequel hit theatres people rushed out to rent the original, perhaps hoping it would have as good a sound track (don't mind the cheap shots, they're part of my charm). Well, speaking for myself only, I'm not terribly crazy about the soundtrack, but what I did really find endearing about this film was the way it was so brilliantly acted. Starring Richard Naughton as the naive and guillable David Kessler and Griffin Dunne as David's best friend Jack Goodman, this film deserves all our credit for the simple fact that it was a Horror movie coming out in the 80's ('81 to be exact) that actually had decent acting. None of that well-endowed blonde in high heels falling while running away from a killer in this flick.

An American Werewolf in London, directed by John Landis, begins with David and Jack backpacking across Europe as part of their summer vacation. They find themselves in a strange town full of strange people who seem to be hiding something regarding the kinds of things that go bump in the night. Realizing that they are 'outsiders' in the town, and the bar they have taken refuge in, the two travellers head out on their own, at night, into an area fabled to be hazardous to one's health. Suddenly, out of the velvety black night leaps a creature, wolf-like, but more than that. Jack is killed in the struggle, and young David Kessler left lying wounded and bloody. He awakens weeks later in a hospital, having no recollection of how he got there, and ranting on about being attacked by some kind of animal. The police however, have different ideas, and pass it off as being an unfortunate encounter with an escaped lunatic or convict.

As what had happened to him begins to unfold in David's mind, he comes to the realization that it was a werewolf, half man and half beast which had attacked him. He also is forced to face the reality surrounding the myth about werewolves, and the fact that whomever is bitten by one and lives, then becomes a werewolf himself. The question David is left to ask himself is whether he should take his own life and spare the lives of others which may be in danger at his hands, or pass the legend off for just that...A legend.

As I've said before, the acting in this movie is incredible, and for those of you who prefer makeup special effects as opposed to computer-generated ones, you're in for a real treat. Of course, due to the limitations of makeup and older technologies, you never really get to see a great deal of the actual werewolf, but I can assure you, what you do see is a whole hell of a lot more realistic than what is featured in the movies sequel, An American Werewolf in Paris. This lighthearted Horror film (I can't believe I just said that :) will grasp you by both it's standing as an incredible Horror film, and also the humanity that goes along with it, and sticks with you long after the film has run it's course. GO RENT IT!!!

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