Day 3: An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Day Three: An American Werewolf in London (1981)

A Month of Horror

I have always wanted to do a marathon of "HORROR" throughout the month of October, one where I would revisit a new horror movie every day from the first to the thirty-first.  I will revisit the classics as well as new entries into the canon.  There are many movies that define this time of year, and I hope to showcase 31 of them this month...

October 3: An American Werewolf in London (1981)

"An American Werewolf in London" came out when I was six-years-old and while I didn't see it then, when I eventually did, it changed the way I viewed horror movies.  As a film, it was entertaining and terrifying in equal measures.

David Naughton's David Kessler is the titular character of the piece, and the early scenes between him and Griffin Dunne's Jack Goodman were realistic, and sympathetic characters who played excellent hosts as we were introduced to the basics of the story, and the idiosyncratic characters who populated "The Slaughtered Lamb" pub.

Of course, things quickly turn south for the two friends as they venture off the rainy roads and into the moors of Northern England where they are subjected to a horrific attack.  Jack does not survive, but his character does make repeat visits throughout the film, each time in a greater state of disrepair.

The makeup effects used for Jack's slow degradation are some of the best ever, as is the werewolf transformation that David goes through.  In fact, the makeup effects were so stunning, that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences created a whole new makeup category in the Academy Awards to celebrate Rick Baker's stunning work.

Written and directed by John Landis, "An American Werewolf in London" paved the way for the wide range of witty and horrific films that would soon follow; films that blended realistic characters and dialogue, with humour and horror.  It also created a resurgence for the 'werewolf' genre.

In 1997, a horrible CGI sequel set in Paris was released.  Avoid it.  There is a reason why the original is still widely regarded as one of the all-time great horror movies.  If you have yet to see it, you should stop delaying.  This movie will have you laughing and wincing from start to end.

Tomorrow, we will take a look at a more recent film that takes many cues from this godfather of modern horror.