My Week With Halloween Films in 2016 - Day 2

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Two American College students, David and Jack, arrive in the North York Moors, in the back of a "sheep van", and set off ambling across the Moors. They arrive in a small village, where they stop off at a pub called "The Slaughtered Lamb". Upon entering they are greeted by the locals, which include the late Brian Glover and Rick Mayall (a VERY quiet and young Rick Mayall I might add!), in the customary "you're not local" type manner of silence. A moment later, after the Americans try some pleasantries with them and the barmaid, Brian Glover's character tries to break the silence with a joke. While he's telling the joke in a long winded way, the Americans notice the Pentagram on the wall and goad each other to ask the locals. After the joke is finished Jack then asks about the Pentagram, which goes down like a lead balloon and they are made to feel very unwelcome. The Americans decide to leave but are warned to stay off the moors and to keep to the road. Unfortunately for David and Jack, they accidentally veer off towards the moors. A short while into their walk, they hear the sound of howling and realise that they are off the road. Jack is killed by a wolf like creature but David is only mauled.

I've only seen bits and pieces of this film but I'm glad I finally seen all of it. I did think it was a serious horror film but it isn't in places. In fact, it's perfectly mastered to have the right blend of scare moments and comedy. I think it holds up pretty well, including the transformation sequence that back in the day Michael Jackson asked John Landis to replicate for his Thriller video. Also, for those that haven't seen it, most of the cast is British - don't worry, this isn't a trend for this year, it just happened to be that way.

Most Funniest Moment: When David is in the porn cinema talking to his dead friend Jack (by this point he's really decomposed) and Jack "brings along" the other victims of David who all start discussing how he should commit suicide.

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