The Tragic Horror of AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON

[@demonkitty351]

One thing i really like about this movie is the way his friend Jack is still thinking of him. He wasn't angry or bitter that he ran or that he survived. When they talk about him committing suicide he wants it to be quick and painless and defends him against the other victims, but is also firm and straight forward with David in telling him he has to take responsibility for himself and protect others from his curse

[@albinwallen634]

Tbf he went back after a couple of seconds of running saying Jack while turning around

[@lloydneal3137]

the ending can be argued as to whether all of David was finally gone, and he had no issue in killing Alex, or if there was a last piece of him left and he chose to attack knowing he was going to be killed, therefore breaking the curse

[@sammygirl6910]

I always thought it was SBC myself, but I was very young when I saw it and that explanation is very romantic.

[@CorbCorbin]

Or, the curse is broken when the beast is killed, like most older Werewolf movies.

[@vjgodlybang]

This gave me major vibes of, if she survives-she is a witch! But, if she dies-she was not a witch!

[@TheRealNormanBates]

I think there was a glimmer of a memory of her, but the beast was in control. He died just as it was foretold in the Lon Chaney WOLF MAN movie: a werewolf can only die by the hand of the one(s) he loves. In AWIL, it was her simply drawing him out into the line of fire in a vain attempt to save him. That’s the tragedy of it all: David was dead the moment he was scratched.

[@CorbCorbin]

Monroville Yes

[@BenEd2]

The werewolf's howl in this is straight up the most scary and unsettling noise I've ever heard. I don't know if its a sample of a real wolf noise or something they created but it sounds like a howl and a scream at the same time and it chills me to the bone every time, especially during the moors scene.

[@teenspirit9012]

When we were kids (circa 1980s), we put the werewolf howl through some speakers at my bedroom window to see the response of passers-by. They looked most unnerved!!!!

[@jermainehaslam5634]

The werewolf's howl in this movie is the best and most scary howl I've heard in any werewolf movie, if I heard that in the woods I'd shit myself lol!

[@scottycox316]

@@teenspirit9012 did anyone say " i assure you this is not in the least bit entertaining" followed by " i shall report this"

[@KeyBladeMaster-Dan]

Nothing will ever sound more unsettling to me than Kayako's death rattle

[@brandonreed6074]

It's a mixture of a wolf howl and an elephant trumpet

[@magnificmango336]

Ryan back to allow me to enjoy scary movies without getting scared. Doing God’s work.

[@dakotajensen181]

Idk if you're being literal but their are some great classic horror movies that just havent aged well at all and instead of being under the sheets, you'll be saying my sides I cant stop laughing lol

[@mathieuleader8601]

I too watch this channel for this reason

[@rouyworld7551]

Ahhh I have found my people

[@somecadejos6543]

American Werewolf is single handedly one of my top favorite horror movies to ever exist, John Landis’s expert mix of comedy and horror, and Rick Baker’s brilliant and groundbreaking practical effects make for a brilliant movie. Plus, it’s hands down THE werewolf movie.

[@maxschreck9988]

And you can see the "I'm a Pepper" dude's peenor.

[@stevezpj]

Same here - every aspect of this film is utter genius. I was hooked as soon as they walked into The Slaughtered Lamb and it captured the feeling of walking into a tiny local pub, as an outsider, perfectly but with more sinister undertones. It was also great to see Rik Mayall in his early acting career :D

[@natalieuk1273]

I 100% agree with you sir, definitely in my top 10 movies ever and without doubt THE werewolf movie . An absolute classic.

[@MakeMineaDouble]

I agree 100%, fuckin great film that scared the shit outta me as a young fan.

[@sammygirl6910]

@@maxschreck9988 Definitely not a negative. 😉😂😂😂

[@jermainehaslam5634]

One of this movie's biggest strengths is how well it explores the tragedy of being a werewolf and how much of a burden it would be, the scene where David considers suicide is heartbreaking and David Naughton really brings an everyman quality to the character and you feel sympathy for him because of his perfomance and his endearing romance with Jenny Agutter!

[@harrisonlee9585]

My week doesn't feel complete without hearing Ryan say "pretentious".

[@robhenkens9844]

or "hoyever" :)

[@Ajehy]

We love your accent, man ❤️

[@jfitz330]

Or existential

[@augustshettler1044]

Hoyywever

[@hearsomeevil9199]

Oh cus he is? I get it.

[@dubzilla6978]

“Carnivorous lunar activities” is still the best way to say werewolf shenanigans

[@christopherauzenne5023]

Other than “werewolf shenanigans”

[@MandleRoss]

11:10 Rik Mayall at the background table. Another fun fact: Michael Jackson watched this movie and called John Landis and said "I want you to make me into a monster." and thus the "Thriller" music video was born. Also: The Piccadilly Circus scene after the werewolf breaks out of the porno theater is one of the greatest scenes ever in movie history IMO.

[@davidjames579]

Rik Mayall was cast because John Landis saw his comedy club show, after Jim Henson took him and Frank Oz to it. His comedy partner Adrian Edmondson was also offered a part, but he didn't believe the offer was real. A lot of the cast including John Woodvine, David Schofield and Lila Kaye as the landlady came from a stage production of Nicholas Nickeby that Landis saw in London.

[@MandleRoss]

@@davidjames579 Wow, cool! I'm guessing Ade probably said "Rik, that sounds really really BORING!"...

[@davidjames579]

@@MandleRoss Haha! I believe he thought John Landis was being all Hollywood and false: "I want you in my movie!" Turns out he meant it. Just imagine Rik and Viv both in The Slaughtered Lamb!

[@MandleRoss]

@@davidjames579 Still doesn't work for me unless SPG is there too.

[@charlespeterwatson9051]

John Landis is the guy who goes through the store window. He did the stunt himself.

[@Carryduffp]

AAWIL is a masterpiece. Genuinely terrifying and hilarious - more so than most films that try to be only one of those things. What truly makes it special is the themes it explores with great depth: 1. Mental illness; 2. Guilt; 3. Being an outsider (particularly that of a Jewish person). It's odd thinking how funny and entertaining a movie where someone's friend repeatedly tells them to kill themselves for 90 minutes can be - and that's just the superficial layer, let alone the subtext. Obviously people can be amazed by the special effects and performances alone. However, I don't believe the brilliance of AAWIL stops there!

[@Bergarita]

Dude, yes. This is a great "horror" movie. The first time I watched this was back in the early 80s. Me and my friends went to watch this stoned on weed can you imagine?? The nazi scene still reverberates with me even now.

[@jimmyphattits3700]

I like the boobies.

[@derekconnors4128]

THIS. This is the horror movie that made me a horror fan. I caught a scene of it as a little kid (the porno theater scene, of all things) and it always stuck with me. I finally found it again in high school and watched the whole thing. It made me realize that horror is so much more than dumb people getting killed. Horror can be scary, funny, dramatic, and poignant.

[@CorbCorbin]

Derek Connors Yeah, Jack is all fucked up by that point, and the victims are stacking up around him complaining. 🤣 That’s a funny place to first come across the movie.

[@dannymiller7187]

Poignant as fuck bro

[@Zanaki113]

Dumb people getting killed is over used but still pretty good sometimes too!

[@Welsh_Dragon756]

I first saw it when I was about 7 or 8 years old when I put the wrong video in the player. I was wanting to watch one of my favourite cartoons but what I got gave me nightmares for months 🤣🤣 when I watched it again years later I realised how much humour was in it and to this day its one of my all time favourite horrors.

[@leeannasloan526]

When I was a kid in the 80s I was at my aunt's house and she had a beta player and a vcr. I was always playing outside with my cousins and we only watched peewee Herman and labrynth and the never ending story. I had this one memory though of a zombie sitting in a movie theater talking to a man who was alive. I had that one memory like a snapshot well into my adult life and what I mainly remembered was the color red and the darkness...I thought there was sex in the scene as well so the memory made no sense at all to me. Anyway i told people about this memory and no one ever knew what I was talking about and I thought I must be remembering a memory wrong or making it up all together. When I was in my late 20s I was watching the AMC channel and about 3 in the morning this movie came one...I was up late working and not paying much attention but the movie soon became so interesting I started to watch ..and then the scene came on in the porno theater and it was a weird feeling to be watching what I had remembered and how different yet the same I had remembered it...that scene was poignant in my life also...I even said out loud "what! It was this movie all along"

[@edward4840]

It still amazes me how incredible Jack's cuts look when he first greets David. The look is just incredible

[@jermainehaslam5634]

I love it when you see a character physically deteriorate over time through incredible make-up reminds me of the fantastic make-up effects in david cronenberg's the fly!

[@rockyl9120]

Griffin Dunne who plays Jack was actually depressed when making the movie due to how real the make up was.

[@newname34695]

especially the little flap of skin flopping right around his throat, you know the one i’m talking abt

[@rockyl9120]

@@newname34695 yep, I watched it again on Halloween and was paying particular attention to it

[@OldSkullInn]

"A naked American man stole my balloon."

[@gooshie3]

A girlfriend once broke up with me because I kept repeating that line...LOL

[@OldSkullInn]

@@gooshie3 These things happen.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

... _WHAT?_

[@gooshie3]

@jason lewis Maybe, dunno

[@Karin_Allen]

Argh, you beat me to it! And I was going to use 5:27 as the timestamp. ;-(

[@reJECT0]

Did you... Did you just call werewolves, werewoofers?

[@RyanHollinger]

Yes, they are good dogs.

[@endel12]

Ryan Hollinger they’re good dogs, Brent

[@electricboogaloo5645]

After seeing What We Do in the Shadows, I call them swearwolves

[@maxvilla5558]

What ?

[@adamtherock2008]

Ah Ryan, you need to cover Ginger Snaps! Definitely the best "werewolves as a metaphor for puberty" movie we've ever had. Plus it'll turn 20 years old this year so good event to discuss.

[@Karin_Allen]

Yeah, that was an amazing movie. It deserves way more recognition than it has.

[@josh72456]

Yeah both watched them at 13 in the space of 2 months this first and then ginger snaps.

[@nefarioussness]

It’s my favourite werewolf and horror movie of all time. (There’s a reason why Brigitte is profile pic lol)

[@OctoberLotus]

13 year old me couldn’t go outside at night for a while after seeing Ginger Snaps.

[@klownfromouttatown1188]

There's many many KZbinrs out there that review and/or analyze all the different mediums of horror that exist and I'm pretty sure I'm subscribed to most if not all of them. But hands down the ones with the best quality content, as far as I'm concerned, are Cinemassacre and you Ryan. Amazing work as always man!

[@alexbristol4413]

Goodbadflicks does an amazing job as well! While GBF is very funny and has a lot more videos, Ryan is definitely the superior analyzer for movie!

[@spencerreed2464]

Oliver Harper aint no slouch either.

[@Frankiigii]

Accented Cinema is amazing as well

[@danipass9339]

David committed suicide at the end. That’s why we had the tiny close-up scene of his wolf eyes as he realises what he must do to end the curse. He knew that if he lunged for Alex that the police would shoot him.

[@Frankiigii]

It also mirrors his attempt to get arrested by the cop while Alex is begging him to stop just a bit earlier in the film.

[@sean5558]

I agree , his human mind was probably still present in wolf form and as soon she said I love you it triggered his memory him saying that a werewolf can only be killed by someone who loves them and he knew they would shoot him if he lunged

[@davidbutler1622]

He’s also a hound from hell so probably couldn’t resist the urge to rip her face off

[@breannaperkins88]

There needs to be more werewolf movies; I feel that werewolves are the most underrated and underappreciated monsters of all the movie monsters today.

[@Njbear7453]

They’ll remake this film or basically use bits and pieces of it to make a modern- day werewolf story. Use the ORIGINS about it being a CURSE and how it effects not only the person but also the victims as well.

[@enthiegavoir5955]

There's so many subtextual angles you can approach from a werewolf, I'm surprised they don't get used more often

[@nefarioussness]

Werewolves are my favourite monsters; I wish there was more love for them.

[@joaofranciscobento00]

But not only make movies, but to show what the monster is as well

[@mackclark6123]

@@Njbear7453 mhmm

[@haryman222]

I honestly think that the ending is a perfect summation of the movie. Tonally inconsistent, but purposefully so. It shows how thin the line is between the absurd and real, the sad and the funny, the living and the dead.

[@sean5558]

Especially sticks out with the abrupt ending showing David dead and naked and then cut to upbeat Blue Moon end credit song

[@reachfanatic1234]

How cheery David’s victims are makes me realize how they are literally cheerleaders to his suicide

[@lloydneal3137]

i recall hearing that the reason Alex is so quick to fall for David is because of the pheromones he is emitting from the lycanthropy

[@pixieoftheopera]

Oh wow I never noticed that before that’s really interesting! Well spotted!

[@lloydneal3137]

Alana Gorman at face value it’s quite jarring as to why it takes them two seconds to become infatuated, but once you know the reason its quite clever😁

[@rafaelalodio5116]

But in what moment in the movie this is implied?

[@wetterschneider]

Are the pheromones mentioned or explained in the movie?

[@TheRealNormanBates]

Are you saying that Jenny Agutter would never fall for someone attractive, charismatic, humorous and in need of help like David Naughton?

[@orikagan]

I wrote a paper about how this movie is actually an allegory for Jewish life after the holocaust. Survivor's guilt, dealing with being viewed as an outsider or even monster... The Nazi dream sequence is a major clue about this theme, and there are many clues hidden in the movie about it.

[@Optics2024]

I think sometimes people can read too much in to things in films. The documentary film Room 237 is an example of this. Look, at the end of the day you can take away from a film what you chose to, but was this film a deliberate analogy for the things you’ve said. I really don’t think so, sorry.

[@orikagan]

@@Optics2024 Im sure the movie can have many interpretations, and maybe mine wasn't entirely intentional, but I think it is definitely there. In short - when David is in the hospital after the bite the nurses talk about his circumcision like its some kind of freak deformity (while the doctor insists in more common nowadays), in the Nazi dream sequence we clearly see a Jewish menora in the house, and it is destroyed in the gun fire. Instead of german guns the werewolf Nazis use uzis - an Israeli invention, now used against them. It really plays around with themes of guilt and self destruction, which is what eventually happens to David in the end. The nurse tries to help him by offering him Christian unconditional love, which makes him hesitate for a moment. But then he is destroyed and dies in a pose mimicking Jesus in the Pietà. John Landis is Jewish, so those themes might have seeped in unconsciously

[@Optics2024]

Ori Kagan absolutely that’s possible for themes to have seeped in and I’m not necessarily saying your wrong in that, but I perhaps disagree with your original post in which you say “this movie is actually an allegory for Jewish”.... etc. I don’t believe that it is “actually about that”. You could just as easily argue for example.... and I’m thinking as I go really, that the film is “actually an allegory for mental health”. David is wracked by guilt because he ran when Jack was attacked and as the doctor said two strong boys could have overpowered one man. (Not an exact quote). So David would rather believe at a subliminal level a monster killed his friend rather than a guy he could have helped fight off. The guy who killed Jack was an “escaped lunatic” again according to the doctor. The doctor again says the villagers at East Proctor are suffering from some type of mass hysteria. The guilt from the death of Jack causes a severe mental health condition in David making him believe if his fantasy about Jack being killed by a werewolf was true he would become a werewolf. At the end of the film Alex addresses the Wolf as David and talks to him as a person. What she suddenly believes in werewolves even with no evidence of knowing it’s David? Or was she actually talking to David? When he’s shot and killed, like the guy who killed Jack who we see through David’s eyes, he instantly transforms back to human. Were we in his mind living out his fantasy? Look I’m not saying any of that is right, as I say I’m just making it up as I go along, but it shows as I say you take away from it what you chose. But your theory is a very good one and I’m certainly not saying you’re wrong at any level other than that was one of the main intentions of the film.

[@orikagan]

@@Optics2024 Yes i agree I might have phrased that wrong. I totally agree that the film has many interpretations and layers. That's one of the reasons I love it so much and why it might've been so popular. I like your interpretation as well.

[@Optics2024]

Ori Kagan cheers mate. Absolutely agree it’s a great film, probably in my top ten maybe top 5 films ever, love it. And it’s great to hear people’s different interpretations like yours and it makes watching it again even more enjoyable. I love talking films too and appreciate the discussion. You seem to have a great knowledge and love of film like myself. Thanks for the interesting discussion 👍🏻

[@thekidkrow]

Speaking as someone in treatment for trauma, the way David bounces between acting like the young man he is and the deeply affected young man is uncomfortably familiar. Trauma comes and goes so quickly, it's always there underneath the surface when you're goofing off or trying to enjoy your life and it rears its head at the drop of a hat. I've had days where things are awesome and I feel great and then I have an episode out of nowhere. David's misery is very real and very accurate in ways that have made this movie very special to me

[@MrPeteybelljr]

I believe the ending was David essentially realizing he would kill everyone he loved including Alex unless he broke the curse, so he committed suicide by cop. In that sense, love really was the only way to break the curse.

[@grandmasterkaiju3821]

The howl the werewolf does off in the distance when they're walking at night in the beginning always gives me chills...

[@karol1986]

I keep thinking about one part of the transformation scene that I find... tragically real. While getting through incredible amounts of pain, David convulses on a floor and at the certain point he looks at the toy on the desk - a moment so absurd and surreal, but feels so honest. It's like You're right after the car crash and You just fixate on a weird detail, like a stupid poster outside with something cheerful - that one thing that takes You out of Your current tragic experience and rubs in Your face that world is still the same thing, You are the one who experience something sinister, You are the one who is "changed". Is that make sense to anyone? Maybe there was additional context to this scene that I have missed?

[@DokkaChapman]

One fact I always remember about the film is that for the city scenes they could only afford to make the front part of the werewolf, that's why we always only really saw close up shots of it and never a full length version. It was basically wheeled around on a trolly lol.

[@TheRealNormanBates]

Dokka Chapman if you viewed the BTS footage, they _did_ have a “rear end” so to speak, but the rear legs “cartwheeled” akin to the facehugger puppet design in ALIENS. Unfortunately, it wasn’t very convincing (not to mention, they had to figure out how to hide the person holding the stunt man’s real legs). Thus they decided to just crop out the rear legs.

[@Njbear7453]

Best shot of the film though is in the subway on the escalator when you see David wolf from far away and you see how HUGE and MASSIVE he is in full form

[@davidjames579]

@@TheRealNormanBates And it works so much better. In the sequel they used CGI to be able show everything, and oh god!

[@RJ-qs6nm]

Ryan, it may be out of your element but the drama film, "waves" 2019 is an incredible piece of filmmaking....id love to hear your thoughts on it as someone who appreciates top quality film.

[@palbo4]

I just watched that last night and cannot stop thinking about it

[@RJ-qs6nm]

@@palbo4 it's definitely a masterpiece in my opinion

[@palbo4]

@@RJ-qs6nm I think I agree! Pretty much every single thing about it blew my mind. I can't wait to see what Trey Edward Shults does next, I love his movies so much Definitely wasn't expecting to see a comment about Waves on a video about An American Werewolf in London but I'm glad I did haha. More people need to watch that freaking fantastic movie

[@user-vn7ce5ig1z]

_AWiL_ is one of a handful of "realistic" werewolf movies which try to show the actual impact of what it would be like if werewolves were real, whether from the werewolf's perspective or its victims. Others in this category include the aforementioned _Howling_ as well as _Silver Bullet_ and (the first) _Ginger Snaps_ . Like the _Ginger Snaps_ sequels, _American Werewolf in Paris_ is just a cash-in.

[@yellowfamilyfunny3065]

I havent seen it in a while but while im not really disputing that, i remember ginger snaps 2 was actually good (as its own film) very different to the first which i think is to its credit. Its got a unique tone

[@Frankiigii]

@@yellowfamilyfunny3065 I enjoyed the sequel as well

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

I always struggle picking this and Dog Soldiers as the best Werewolf film. Great video as always Ryan.

[@saggest]

Dog soldiers comes no where near

[@richard7645]

Dog soldiers 👎

[@RyanHollinger]

*Best WEREWOLF movie???* Reply with your answer! Also, subscribe and help me get to 500k!!

[@eamo2334]

Ryan Hollinger the shaggy dog movie with Tim Allen

[@BigBossMan538]

Where wolf? There wolf. There castle.

[@ocdman3910]

Why are you talking that way?

[@ocdman3910]

I thought you wanted to. No, I don't want to. Suit yourself. I'm easy.

[@chrisstanwood246]

Frau Blucher!!

[@TheRealNormanBates]

My, what large knockers!

[@ocdman3910]

@@TheRealNormanBates oh, thank you doctor

[@Zachary_L]

Couldn't have been more happy when I saw this pop up. Been waiting for this one. Great work

[@vick9435]

This movie along with "The Howling" scared the hell out of me as an adolescent. Because of these two movies, I am deathly afraid of werewolves and big dogs. The transformation of this movie (given the movie "technology" of that time) has been THE BEST that I've seen without the needless exaggeration of most movies. As with others, its about time you reviewed this classic movie. Keep up the great work.

[@theengineer9910]

It makes no sense how well done this film is, everything went together flawlessly , Rick Baker + the direction + script + Ryan's face

[@MexlycanFilmico]

This is one of the few movies who has everything, scary, funny, suspense, drama, ect.

[@ButterCookie1984]

I can't listen to "Bad Moon Rising" without immediately thinking abiut this film.

[@00xyq]

Truly appreciate the warning ryan, im still gonna watch right away cause your videos are amazing and im at least comfortable with my dads death. But for others that arent its a great showing of compassion for doing a video on a topic with touchy subjects

[@theballadofamixtape]

One of the first horror films I ever saw and one of my all time favourites. The balance of humour, horror and melancholy feels effortless and natural while the story is genuinely compelling. Throw in a brilliant soundtrack (the use of Creedence Clearwater Revival's Bad Moon Rising being a highlight!) and groundbreaking special effects and you've got yourself a cult classic. I love it to pieces.

[@annie_b17]

Thanks for covering one of my favorite horror films (or, really, one of my favorite films period)!! It's got everything: it's cheesy in all the right ways, has surprisingly great practical effects, and is genuinely scary at points. I love it 😍

[@Tyg0re]

I love this movie. the scene where they are on the moors, scared the fuck out of me when I was little.

[@riaranta3150]

Tyson Robertson right? lol the part that truly fucked me up was that scene where he first sees his dead best friend when he closed the mirror in the bathroom 😳😱

[@annie_b17]

It still creeps me out!! I'm an adult who is still afraid of the dark and what hides within...I love the outdoors, but I am often terrified that something is out there watching me. This film is so good at spooking me!

[@whoknew2273]

me too I avoided the moors ever since lol

[@ToastyJunebugs]

@@annie_b17 I'm not afraid of wide open spaces on land, but thinking about something coming at me from the murky ocean scares the crap out of me. I blame a video I saw of someone diving. You can't see anything in the distance. Then there's a faint black shimmer and BAM - killer whale is just THERE.

[@riaranta3150]

jason lewis ah touché. I stand happily corrected 👌🏻

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Ryan! 🐺 This one's a childhood favorite. I'm glad you appreciated it. I'd argue, though, that the "real monster" was the group of secretive villagers, who could've prevented the attack... even without divulging the secret. It simply would've taken a little extra creativity and compassion on their part. Alas, I love what the story does... and the blend of moods appeals to me like few genre-combinations seem able to accomplish.

[@catnumber6967]

I’m a massive werewolf fan-of the 50+ werewolf movies I’ve seen so far this one definitely has my favorite transformation, & it will always hold a special place in my heart. I think the themes of inevitability & introspection are what keep me coming back to werewolf stories again and again, even knowing most of them will end in the same way, with the werewolf we’ve spent the whole story getting to know only finding release in death. There are of course exceptions where the werewolf serves only as a soulless monster in the story (or where lycanthropy is just a cheap gimmick to complicate a romance), but more often than not the werewolf is sympathetic & seeing them undone by their curse really is a tragedy... Anyway glad to see you review this cinematic classic! And if anybody wants werewolf movie/book recommendations I’ve got lists lmao

[@wogga2320]

Ryan, it's my birthday today, and frankly, it's been shitty. I want to commend you for making content that puts me in a good mood when times are tough. PS, it is an immortal sin to have not seen this flick, so ups to you for putting on your big boy pants and watching it.

[@RyanHollinger]

Happy Birthday!!

[@teacooper6485]

Happy birthday dude :)

[@annie_b17]

Hey, happy birthday! I hope it gets better, but if it doesn't, at least there will be brighter days ahead. Cheers! 💜

[@Ryoufriggingserious]

@Mark's Art It's my birthday today too. Also shitty. Take care.

[@poison03nae]

Happy birthday... Hope it changes and ends up being a good one.

[@nephilim6032]

I felt the jarring cut to the music at the end was great. The intense ending, the sobbing nurse you're feeling the loss and sadness and then boom. Laugh a little. It's just a movie.

[@mickelfinschi]

i can't belive that this was one of my "family movie weekend" movies when i was only 5 years old.....

[@56postoffice]

The abrupt ending after seeing David's human corpse, was perfect. No epilogue needed.

[@tattygumcancer]

Universal wanted Dan Aykroyd to play the main character. I find that the most horrifying part of this movie

[@Ollieannasworld]

this movie has a spot in my life, when I was about 7 I watched it on VCR at my dads place and just remember I couldn't sleep until the morning and would look out my window every night down the driveway keeping watch for the inevitable werewolf I thought was going to come down the driveway. I think its attributed to my love for horror as well

[@rockinbobokkin7831]

As a person of the time, and a huge fan of this movie immediately, I can firmly say that this movie is a satire while being a fun B-movie horror. Jack is a recurring joke, and it lands best at the moment you meet the other ghosts of his killing sprees.

[@elimidd6626]

I loved An American Werewolf in London and I'm so happy you decided to cover it, for me it has this awesome balance of dark comedy and horror that makes it funny but creepy at the same time and its genuinely sad at the end when he is finally killed

[@alanhembra2565]

I was a kid when this movie hit HBO and it scared the piss out of me.

[@dejaalston8672]

An American Werewolf In London is one of the greatest horror comedy movies of all time. The story, perfomance's, music, images, direction, tension, astomphere, cinematography, and special effects was outstanding and incredible. David Naughton and Griffin Dunne did a phenomenal and spectacular job. They both put really tons of emotion and depth into their roles. It was decent. To this day I still watch it and I consider it a classic. It never gets old. 😍😎💯👍

[@GrizzlyAdams94]

Random fun fact: David Naughton who played David in the movie was in a famous, and extremely catchy Dr. Pepper ad featuring Popeye the Sailor in 1979. The comments on the video are full of American Werewolf references and quotes, by the way. It's fun to read through them.

[@davidjames579]

That's where Landis saw him. He thought he seemed such a nice guy. To put through hell in my story.

[@skylx0812]

He also had a one hit wonder disco song, "Makin' It" which was the title of a short lived sitcom that he starred in. For a time he did have a reputation as an all around nice guy. Which is why the horror movie roll took many by surprise.

[@sean5558]

He was removed from the Dr Pepper commercials because of the nude scenes he did and they didn’t want to have spokespersons being someone that did nude scenes

[@lotusfilms6082]

This has always been a must see for me every Halloween. Thanks for covering.😊

[@pixieoftheopera]

The first werewolf transformations I saw was Remus Lupin in Prisoner Of Azkaban. I was traumatized and also intrigued, then when I was older my dad watched an American Werewolf in London with me and I loved it

[@kuschlpu]

Got the notification. Directly clicked on the video. And then I saw all the videos I apperently missed, because youtube is broken. I'm kind of angry, but at the same time I'm happy that I found out that there are a lot more videos waiting for me

[@hughcubtm2367]

Michael Jackson wanted John Landis to direct the thriller music video after he watched american werewolf in London.

[@davidjames579]

Same makeup and cinematography as well.

[@Vimes86]

Seriously, you are one of my favourite essay KZbinrs ever. Keep up the good work

[@mariareyes129]

I was literally rewatching one of your videos, than you posted, and I got all happy 💚

[@raspberries6992]

How fun to hear a take on this from someone who hasn't attached it to their personal nostalgia profile! I first saw it when I was maybe 10, and already a fan of Rick Baker (cause I was THAT weirdo). I have come to appreciate different aspects of it as I've grown older, obviously. But to hear your views on it, especially with it being well in your wheelhouse, having only just seen it? Very refreshing! It's fascinating to see which bits caught your focus. So glad you've finally seen it!

[@vjgodlybang]

I always love your pretentious convoluted analysis, Ryan!

[@Borgmatha1027]

"Uploaded 20 seconds ago." Wow, im early.

[@anarken1598]

brother I have found you

[@Borgmatha1027]

@@anarken1598 whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

[@baileycunningham9197]

Ryan I absolutely love your thoughtful, analytic, and often poignant scripts. This was one of the first scary movies I ever saw growing up and it terrified and elated me. It was also one of the first times I recall ever being in awe of makeup and special effects, something that over the years I've decided to try and make my career. All this to say--thanks for doing what you and reminding us why we love the twisted things we love, from all the other horror nerds out there :)

[@coleaugust4792]

My two favorite movies back to back you’re making me a happy veiwer

[@whitedragoness23]

I’m really glad you take the time to analysis films your viewers want you to cover. I don’t know sometimes you have this film in mind and just want to hear from someone else on their analysis and something you missed

[@carlosocarnero]

finally!! Ryan made a video of one of my favorite movies of all time

[@easyandy2405]

Goddammit. I was trying to write about this movie but then pretty much everything that I was going to write was thoroughly elaborated on in this video. Although, I think that the main reason as to why this movie was so effective was that the comedy was directly used in order to emphasise the horror of the film - specifically with how there's an underlying cynicism to it where it's mostly used to suggest that people are just completely ignoring David's underlying problems, himself included in the later scenes - but the comedy is actually genuinely funny and it allows the movie to reach places that it wouldn't have otherwise had it just been a straight horror film.

[@saulpaul8422]

I imagine your meaning with the closing statement was that, UNLIKE, the cliche that the person was the real monster the whole time, this instance the person was actually an innocent victim the entire time.

[@kate.2769]

Welcome back, dude! You were missed. Been wanting to watch this recently, having seen it when I was a kid so I've naturally forgotten everything... perfect timing, as always.

[@matth.4320]

11:47 wow so American Werewolf in London must have unintentionally inspired the Final Destination series then ey?

[@4thtroika]

This was the first modern horror movie I'd seen. Having been raised on the Universal classics, this blew me out of the water.

[@roscojenkins7451]

I saw American werewolf in Paris in theaters when I was 13. I walked into a dark empty theater and sat down at a random seat. I then hear "Dude... Really?" Apparently there was 1 single person in theater and I sat next to him

[@PKAmedia]

"so most of the people die as the result of a car crash, so there's that I guess" ....so what your saying is cars were the real monster all along. Dun, DUN, DUNNN!!!! *cue Blues Brothers/Death Race 2000 footage played over the Monster Mash*

[@colby3896]

Dude I absolutely love your content. If I’m being completely honest, half of the films you talk about I have never seen before, but I still watch every video of yours that I can. One of my favorite horror films is Lights Out but I’m not sure if you’ve made a video about it yet. It’s not the greatest film in the world, but I really like how it emphasizes the classic childhood fear of the dark

[@davekincla9818]

Loved it 30 years ago and recently rewatched with my nephews. Just as good as I remember and the lads loved it. Absolute classic.

[@jaysenwejebe951]

I’ve always had an issue with the ending. It’s not bad at all, but I’ve always found it abrupt, and not in the way you found it abrupt, which actually makes me appreciate the ending more now. I know Landis wanted to include “Moonshadow” on the soundtrack, but Cat Stevens (Yusuf) wouldn’t allow it coz of the film’s content. Having listened to it a few times, I wonder if the film was supposed to end with “Moonshadow” instead of the Marcels’ rendition of “Blue Moon,” because it seems like the only place to put it. If it was, I wonder how exactly that was supposed to play out. Maybe it would’ve pulled back from the somber scene and ended on an image of the city with the full moon hovering above as the song plays in the background. I don’t know. That tidbit of information has always made me curious.

[@dylanstakely]

I just saw this film for the first time last year, and I absolutely loved it. Hilarious, great effects, and scary. This video makes me want to go watch it again. Great work, Ryan. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[@heyheyhey33351]

One of my favorite movies of all time. It also has the best (and most hilarious) "cut to credits" song ever.

[@snbsixteen6stars201]

reminds me of the scene in Bambi, where we don't see the hunter but hear the music and the reaction of Bambi's mom

[@johndriver6998]

My own view on this film is that it is formostly a tragedy, and secondly a comedy and horror film. It's shown quite clearly as a tragedy when David says goodbye to his sister on the phone, and later when he his killed in front of Alex. The fact is that it balances all three roles of Tragedy, Horror, and Comedy so well that you might miss this. I don't think I've ever seen another film that does this balancing act so well.

[@laci2966]

I loved this movie as a kid. I used to also watch The Howling and Silver Bullet.

[@johnthreesixteen5643]

I really think this movie is about the character going mad. Not a real werewolf. But shocked person hunted by guilt and trauma.

[@johnthreesixteen5643]

for instance when she pledges to him before the death she does not seem surprised at all.....Remember that she and the police thought that he could be under the suggestion of the people of the bar that he entered at the beginning of the film, this thus leading him to believe that he himself is under the course of a werewolf ...It means that she never believed him to be a real werewolf but she believes that he is unstable due to the trauma he has been putted into. The fact that she does not seem surprised at all and she is rather calm in the scene where she is actually talking to a supposed werewolf makes me think that he never was a werewolf.....at least not a physical one but a psychological one

[@sourpatchkid394]

I love this movie! You reminded me I have to watch it again. I use to watch animal house and blues brother and the vhs for animal house had a interview with everyone after the movie. I thought John Landis was just the best. Then I saw this. This is one of the best and has everything in it.

[@turyb.goodiii7356]

I was six when my Aunt took me with to watch this at the drive in, everyone else cousins, my Uncle slept like rocks, I had nightmares for two weeks, I love it now.

[@Karin_Allen]

"I will not be threatened by a walking meatloaf!"

[@jergran69]

That scene on the moors is one of the scariest scenes ever IMHO

[@LuisMartinez-rw2lj]

The werewolves in What we do in the shadows were perfect can’t believe you didn’t mention them ?

[@jtbagamer2742]

keep up the good content

[@NorthernThaiGardenGuy]

I remember seeing this after Thanksgiving dinner back in 1981 with my cousin. It was a blast and we loved it. Funny to hear the different takes from different generations of people. It was just a fun horror movie back then.

[@okeefe757]

The first graphic horror(comedic sometimes though it was.) that got me to love graphic horror movies as a kid. The dream scene where the camera goes up to him on a hospital bed in the woods always freaked me out. Love and loved it.

[@Bobnachos]

I like how the film starts with David and Jack in the truck with the sheep, heading towards the town, quite literally being sheep to the slaughter

[@Edgychic54]

Bravo, Ryan! This is one of my favorite films and your insight did not disappoint!!

[@acollectionofcells7977]

The whisper at the beginning always gives me the chills

[@somebrokecollegeguy]

Not gonna lie i've been watching your videos all week. you're one hell of an analytical writer and this is some grade A+ quality you put into every single video. Keep it up man!

[@offthecufff]

I love your analyses. You're awesome Ryan! This film is definitely great and creepy.

[@quietstories795]

Iv tried to watch this film a few times now but due to a deep phobia of mutation body horror I always wimp out. However! This has inspired me to try again!

[@Backgroundcow]

I LOVED this movie as a kid and used to watch it all the time. I can’t believe you’ve only seen it for the first time. I loved hearing your take on it though, especially since this is a classic. I also haven’t seen it in a few years, I forgot how sad the movie actually is.

[@Noname-ut1ye]

The best werewolf movie of all time. It dethroned the Wolf Man(1941) and since then, it hasn't been topped and I doubt it ever will. It set the bar too high to ever be topped.

[@johnashley327]

The Howling and Wolfen were also great werewolf movies.

[@ButterCookie1984]

Yes!!

[@TequilaToothpick]

All 3 released in the same year.

[@danielmillward9947]

Dog soldiers, this, howling,ginger snaps and directors cut of the 2010 wolfman are the best 5

[@johnashley327]

@@danielmillward9947 You have to include the original Wolfman with Lon Chaney Jr.