AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON (1981) C widescreen 97m dir: John Landis

w/David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne, John Woodvine, Brian Glover, David Schofield, Lila Kaye, Paul Kember, Don McKillop, Frank Oz

From Variety's contemporary review of the film: "A clever mixture of comedy and horror that succeeds in being both funny and scary, An American Werewolf in London possesses an overriding eagerness to please that prevents it from becoming off-putting, and special effects freaks get more than their money's worth. Bumming around Europe, two American students (David Naughton and Griffin Dunne) seek refuge from the nasty North England elements in the Slaughtered Lamb pub. Natives there are uncommonly hostile, to the point of forcing the lads out into the night despite indications that there's trouble in these parts.

"In short order, they're attacked by a fierce beast and, after the good-natured humor of this prelude, audience is instantly sobered up when Dunne is killed and Naughton is heavily gashed and gored.

"Recovering in a London hospital and, later, in the flat of amorous nurse Jenny Agutter, Naughton experiences some disturbing and visually outrageous nightmares and is visited by the Undead Dunne, who urges his friend to commit suicide or turn into a werewolf with the next full moon.

"Naughton ignores the advice and, sure enough, undergoes a complete transformation on camera, a highlight in which talents of makeup effects designer Rick Baker are shown in full flower."

From The Movie Guide: "Sit tight: the most literal of the horror excursions into werewolf territory plays it straight for bloody terror. Young man gets bitten by a werewolf on the British moors and chilling special effects ensue, with a hair-raising climax at Piccadilly Circus. Rick Baker deservedly won the first Academy Award for makeup; direction and script by Landis have sharp fangs for laughs and reverence for the genre's history."