In addition to being the best werewolf film, as a British person who often goes to London several times, AAWIL is one of the best London based films ever made. The whole vibe of the place was perfectly captured, like the scenes in the tube or Trafalgar Square. Even the people David came across are similar to people I often come across.
Picture being a kid in 1981 and three (3)!! Great werewolf films were released that year. This one, "Wolfen" and "the Howling". But "An American werewolf in London" is one of my favorite films of all time. It was funny and pretty scary that combination is still hard to top today. The ending still one of the saddest final scenes ever with the upbeat 'Blue Moon' by the Marcels playing over the credits.
I was disappointed with wolfen Because I made the mistake of reading the novel before seeing the film which is one of my favourites The film is ok but could have been so much better
Well done, I really liked this deep dive. An American Werewolf in London is, in my opinion, a great example of achieving balance of comedy and horror. The werewolf scenes are horrifying, and I reckon that what happened in production is even more so. But it's also got a really dark, quirky sense of humor, which makes it fun. And I like how respectful and well done the Jewish representation is, it makes me enjoy and appreciate the movie even more.
I remember first watching this movie when I was in eighth grade and after finishing it I personally thought that this was one of the greatest werewolf movie ever made.
I'll take it one step further. I think it's the best movie ever(IMO). It has _EVERYTHING:_ action, gore, humor, jump scares, love story, sex scene, _THE_ best and most iconic werewolf transformation scene, a weird (but decisive) ending and a killer soundtrack.
The music, the acting, the script, the effects = perfection! No werewolf movie before or since has come close to eclipsing it. It is the Jaws of the Werewolf movies. Another great video Kylie!
As with a lot of your deep dives, this was really interesting and informative. I've also never really been into werewolves but watching this and learning about what went into this, definitely gives me a new appreciation for them. Even though I have never really watched a ton of movies and shows that had werewolves in them, I recall even when I was young, some people referencing the themes of puberty when it came to werewolves, which at the time I didn't understand until later. Same with the Jewish fear. But like always, learn something new each time. You're also not wrong about how actors from classic horror movies had to go through a lot to make these movies. Thanks again Kylie for another great deep dive!
@@kroagw06 yeah I was 6 or 7. My Mom and Uncle loved movies and they went to the double feature every week. That was the one that week. I saw many movies, I probably shouldn’t have seen and that age. LOL
@@dwaynecatheyI definitely saw my fair share of movies I shouldn’t have seen as kid as well. I just can’t comprehend what my 6 y/o mind would have made of a Fulci movie 🤣 Like, if I saw The Beyond as a kid, I probably would have been to scarred to watch movies ever again.
There are a load of great Werewolf movies out there. Hope you get to Silver Bullet, Dog Soldiers, Bad Moon and seeing how you've done this you will have to do An American Werewolf in Paris
I’m very excited to hear you’re getting a hunger for the classic horrors of Universal. Partly because so many are just terrific movies, but mostly because watching those inevitably leads to watching the RKO Val Lewton horror movies of the ‘40s. Think of Universal horror as the Blumhouse/Conjuring school of its day (fun, general audience scares) and Lewton’s movies as the A24. They’re a more psychological, dramatic and sophisticated flavor of horror.
@@HauntedHippie a little forewarning, a lot of the times the titles are deceptive. The studio (RKO) would essentially give Val Lewton a salacious title that they figured would attract people… and then he would basically do whatever he wanted. So, for example, a movie like ISLE OF THE DEAD sounds like some kind of zombie or ghost yarn but neither can be found… but what is there is probably more engaging. Hope you dig them!
One of the first movies I rented on VHS at the grocery store back in the 1980's (actually my brother did; I wasn't old enough at the time) - it's a classic 🐺 Also, Kylie, your deep dives are really informative; now that you're done with college, you should think about teaching part-time in film studies. You always give us new insights with your research 🎬 What do you say, Professor K? And finally, yes, please make a new werewolf movie; we'd love it
You really are one of the best review channels on the TH-cams. The amount of research you do is amazing. And PLEASE watch Dog Soldiers. Great werewolf movie.
Yes! This deep dive is howling with intelligence and introspection, I love it! John landis is a goofball for sure and filmmakers were definitely built different back then! But those Dr Pepper commercials David Naughton did cracked me up! Also loved that this was a mini deep dive for Rick Baker! His work won him the very first Oscar for makeup and special effects! And he better do the makeup for your werewolf movie! My favorite part of your deep dive is definitely discussing the John spira essay cuz that’s honestly everything a werewolf is to me. The metaphor of the werewolf being a monster that fears/kills anyone else different from them, whether by race, creed, sexuality, I feel like werewolf metaphors can be applied to any of those and we can have a much deeper well of werewolf movies if we want it. I’d definitely love to see what you would make of you do decide to do that werewolf movie! Thank you again dark mistress! So glad you’re finally dipping your toes into the werewolf genre! Cheers love! 🇬🇧
I watched this movie dozens of times, And you my Leader opened my eyes to new things and information , Nobody does deep dives like you! Thanks and stay safe
The editing ✅ the delivery ✅ your humor ✅ the research ✅ the pacing ✅ the structure ✅ the aesthetic ✅ Every aspect of your videos are just so well thought out and put together. You’re a straight up superstar. This is a burner because I don’t like commenting from my main account but I have a channel with a million subs and I wish the videos I made were half as good as yours. Please keep up the great work, I know building a channel can sometimes be a discouraging experience. You’re definitely going places ⭐️
Such a transcendent film for wolf flicks. They paved the way for so many with what they created with this film. Dog Soldiers is my favorite of all time but I will always consider this flick the godfather of all werewolf pieces. 🎬 🐾
Ok so I'm not the only one who's picked up on the mental health allegories going on here. Like David has an affliction that he can't control and can't get help or tell anyone about because no one will believe his reality, and the whole time he's haunted by visions of his best friend who tells him that he's a monster and his only option is to off himself 💔
The practical effects in this film are incredible. Even though they are obviously fake, it doesn't really matter. The fact that they are physically there being filmed imbues them with a sense of tangibility and realism. In contrast, so many movies made 10 or 12 years afterwards with CGI effects of the day have not stood the test of time.
I thought the wolfs in their zoo are not real wolfs by caninae family tree, but NOPE I was wrong! They’re legit WOLFS!! 🐺🐕 You could hire me as concept art (designer) for American werewolf remake! Interesting enough from your deep divide was the battle between Rick and John over the create version of werewolf design and I’ve seen many arguments, for which idea will get the upper hand than other, so it’s a pattern such as concept art and creative control. Nice color choice of blue lighting.
Hope you dig into “Dog Soldiers” And the various other smatterings of Werewolves In other classic films! Also a really nice subversion is an episode of the recent season of black mirrors…
I didn't make it to the first transformation when I tried to watch it the first time as a kid. AAWIL is now my favourite movie. What interests me is the conspiracy theme in the movie. Why is Scotland Yard so intent on covering up the werewolf attack in East Proctor?
The BBC radio 1 did a radio drama adaptation of the movie it was good American werewolf is a classic film not so much the sequel very poor dog soldiers is my favourite werewolf film can't wait for your deep dive on that film Can I recommend a Spanish horror movie from 2012 called attack of the werewolves as long as you are ok with subtitles it's a ok horror comedy which I found quite funny Any way great informative video as always
Heartbeeps was a great movie. Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters are robots who fall in love trying to escape servitude or some such; can't quite remember as I haven't seen it since it came out.
I've had a head cast of me done at uni for my friend's project. It was actually quite relaxing. I guess you might panic if you are claustrophobic but I'm not so it was fine. My friend still has my head in his bedroom lol.
There's a song by Ice Nine Kills and they wrote a song based on this movie and it was iconic and its called Love Bites. Definitely recommended listening to it because it made me watch the movie.
The Jewish theme actually derives from the original Wolf Man (released one week before Pearl Harbor). That film was written by Curt Siodmak, who had fled Hitler's Germany before coming to Hollywood. Almost all of the werewolf mythology in that film has no basis in werewolf legend but has been interpreted as reflecting Siodmak's fears as a Jewish man at the time. Most famously, the werewolf identifies his next victim by a vision of a five-pointed pentagram in their palm (like how the Star Of David was used during the Holocaust). Additionally, the idea that in The Wolf Man, the American Larry Talbot being trapped by what Landis and film historians have called a fairy-tale nightmare version of Europe and overtaken by a wolf-themed evil has been interpreted as an allegory for Jewish people living in Germany at the time
I love the premise of these selective deep dives. If youre ever looking for ideas about other werewolf deep dives you should check out Cursed. A movie that was 90% filmed then completely reshot. A pretty interesting story.
All fans of the film should check out the audio play. It is on youtube and I think it is a more complete story. John Landis himself consulted on it. Great commentary though.
Have you ever seen the roundtable interview with Landis, Carpenter and Chronenburg all being interviewed by Mick Garris? It was done just after Landis shot Werewolf, and right while Carpenter was doing the Thing & Chronenburg was working on videodrome. They talk a lot about film ratings, effects work, their experiences on set, etc. I got a lot out of that interview that i hadn't seen elsewhere.
@@HauntedHippie it's great. I totally recommend it. I found it on youtube, someone split it into 3 parts at the commercial breaks. It was originally a half hour TV special. If you search for "fear on film 1982 roundtable" it should come up.
Off topic: I just wanna say your fit absolutely slays (respectfully ofc) along with the one from the 2010s horror vid:) (Also another great deep dive I really dug this movie and knowing all this bts stuff)
it probably is the best werewolf film, but it has issues. The main plot issue being the 5 hour drive from Yorkshire to London. Why was David not in a hospital in Yorkshire?
I Start Watching this deep dive and I keep looking to your right and see your candle is not lit. I couldn't hear what you were saying because I was so distracted. Finally, you got up to light it and I was so relieved. I didn't need a time machine for this movie, I was in the theater for my first watch. I feel that it was the first time I saw a four leg Werewolf. I grew up with the Classic Monsters. The comic part was nice too. I love Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. In American Werewolf in London the parts with the victims coming back especially from his friend and their transformations was one of the best parts talked about at the time. That's part of why it made such an impact at the time and even now. 2023 I feel that we did have some good Horror films. But in the same year if you don't throw in a Renfield film to lighten things up it's just not the same. Like A & C meet Frankenstein to help pay tribute in a Comic way to all the Classics we so Love. Oh, the makeup special effects. I do remember the first time I saw it; I wanted more Werewolf in the movie. but the comic parts were a good twist, and the experience was still enjoyable. I would like to note too that since that movie came out, you could see in other werewolf movies that the transformation scenes have been like you said been more painful. Last just I just wanted to say that in your last cast with Slegehammer Horror they mentioned that they lived in Michigan. Ken posted yesterday that he was a big Detroit Lions fan and wanted everyone's support. I Texted back to him that my daughter Natasha lives in Royal "Oak and that she and her boyfriend are super Lions fans. I also told him that I was a Patron of your channel. He responded for thanking me for supporting you so much. He also said that you were an amazing creator and better friend. I love these deep dives you do. You do a great job, what more can I say.
This was great. I hope you cover more older horror movies. I once saw a thing about The Wolfman where someone said that he was being hunted and he didn't know why inrelation to the Jewish thing. Also I finished Queer for Fear last night and in one episode they mention werewolves in relation to the sexuality / penis metaphor. So yeah werewolves can represent a bunch of things!
Do you think there is a chance they couldn't remake American werewolf in London but a female version playing the part of David and in a female version of the movie with an actress playing the part of David do you think that it is possible they could do that or not but instead of a male version of American werewolf in London a female version
Christ all mighty! Seems we can't discus, or even so much as hear about, ANY movie more than ten years old anymore without hearing the frigging word "remake" or, worse still, the more trendy sounding "reeboot".
I have a couple of interesting things that could have been brought up here. 1981 was truly the year of the big werewolf films. Not only were two upscale genre-bending films brought out by Hollywood, but there was another! Check into Wolfen**, with Albert Finney and Gregory Hines for a different take on the werewolf mythology and a detective thriller in one! Also, I'm sorry to be the one bring this to you, but not only was Max Landis alleged to be a no goodnik but his dad too, it seems. There was a terrible event during his filming of Twilight Zone: The Movie, and there were 2 deaths that could have been prevented.😢 I was disappointed to learn of this later as an adult after having been a fan of AAWIL and TZTM. I still love both but it's tough to think of Mr Landis the same. ** Based on the book by Whitley Strieber who also wrote The Hunger and Communion, both of which might interest you as a genre fan, The Hunger especially, and its the start of a trilogy!
“Poor legacy to carry on by his father? “ ……..you mean the same John Landis that killed the actor Vic Morrow and 2 little girls on the set of “ the twilight zone “ movie .
I swear, movie critics are professional dumdums when it comes to horror. If I went on a date with a guy and he told me he's a movie critic I'd get up and leave. I don't want to marry a party pooper.
Love what you do. Check out a film I produced called ANTIBIRTH with Natasha Lyonne, Chloe Sevigny, Meg Tilly and Mark Webber. And the features THE RAMBLER and THE OREGONIAN by cult filmmaker Calvin Lee Reeder (also produced and all started at Sundance). Great material you have and very thorough. Kudos. AAWIL is one of my personal faves.
I'm scared!! I don't always agree with your opinions, but I fully respect your personal subjective views. But this one is a bit more personal to me, as watching it are some of the earliest memories I have (my parents having a let's fuck around and find out attitude to parenting) and I'm sure it's guided my journey to the horror movie loving freak that I am today. I seem to recall you didn't much care for it on your first viewing, which did make me a little sad, but I hope it's a grower and you've maybe warmed to it a little more. I guess I'll have to watch to find out. Just thinking about the soundtrack gives me goosebumps! Moondance being one of the sexiest songs ever made and the various versions of Blue Moon! The practical effects are also still some of the best, IMO. Sorry, I could go on and on! Hail glorious leader!
I'm not a fan of the werewolf being used as a theme for puberty. My take on it is the basis in lycanthropy is to remind people that there is a beast within all of us. And there's the question, " Does the bite of a werewolf or any other werecreature put the beast in you, or does it just let it out?". Also that thing about Hitler and wolves I'm not a fan of that either because I love wolves myself but the way he utilizes his obsession with wolves really gives them a bad reputation honestly. Wolves are not like nazis they don't torture and terrorize people and put them in concentration camps.
Be aware, the Ginger Snaps Trilogy goes downhill quick. They are still fun to watch though, but the first is always the best. I suppose the same could be said for this film as well, bc AAWIParis was a huge dip in quality. Keep up the great work!!
The news about Max Landis' remake being halted was so great to hear. Both him and his father are kind of insufferable people who should be in prison, but at least John Landis has talent.
@@HauntedHippie He was a director on the _Twilight Zone_ movie, which resulting in the deaths of Vic Morrow and two illegally-hired Vietnamese child actors after a helicopter crashed due to negligence involving pyrotechnics.
There's a sexual element to the movie for sure (two of the leads are horny young guys, the relationship with Alex, etc.), but I agree that it doesn't tie male sexuality to lycanthropy the way Ginger Snaps does with female sexuality. Hammer's "Curse of the Werewolf" and Jack Nicholson's "Wolf" are two I can think of that more specifically do that.
@@HauntedHippie "Curse" is flawed like a lot of Hammer films but interesting for being one of the only mainstream werewolf movies I've seen to more or less ignore all of Kurt Siodmak's lore from The Wolfman and do something different with the mythos (although content warning, there is some mostly offscreen S.A.) And "Wolf" leans more into being a corporate, mid-life crisis satire with a werewolf backdrop but it's very early 90s funny.
Oh hell No David Naughton was way too brave to be in a cage with those wolves if I was actor I would be way to scared thinking those wolves would bite my naughty part thinking it's a chew toy like wtf they mean they been fed ?! 😳😂
Folk complain about the ending. It’s perfect. This isn’t the David Kessler story. It’s a story about an American werewolf in London. Once that’s gone. Story over. Fxk feelings after that lol
It’s pure horror that way. It, to me, watches like a newspaper article reads. Informs you of what happens. Then ends. lol it’s like watching an discovery channel piece
I'm such a dunce. I've seen this movie several times, and the Jewish fear/experience never really sunk in for me as something that was being communicated. Obviously, I'll need to re-watch it with that in mind. I've always interpreted it with more of a queer subtext.
dope. great movie, amazing fx of course! john landis is so candid in those interviews lmao. didn't know landis did stunt work, that's wild. the stolen shots at piccadilly circus remind me of the french connection-- they have a chase scene in real traffic. it was the 70s! lol the subtext is subtle but it works! i feel like the jewish identity thing works moreso than the puberty thing, but it's there. woah, in context with max landis getting cancelled--- what if the werewolf is a metaphor for like toxic masculinity (for lack of a better term lol) he becomes the monster and *spoilers* gets popped bc he can't control his urge to attack/overpower her. the power of subtext!!!
![POLYCAT - ข้อความรูปยิ้ม [Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lBhIgPGCgbI/mqdefault.jpg)
Something that isn’t mentioned enough is the great soundtrack, so many great and memorable songs, it’s as impressive as the werewolf effects
In addition to being the best werewolf film, as a British person who often goes to London several times, AAWIL is one of the best London based films ever made. The whole vibe of the place was perfectly captured, like the scenes in the tube or Trafalgar Square. Even the people David came across are similar to people I often come across.
Agree, I love London!
I have seen American Werewolf in London and by far it has the best werewolf transformation scene in my opinion
Landis being loose with safety is some pretty yikes foreshadowing for the whole Twilight Zone thing...
I wish this came up in my research cuz a lot of people have brought that up lol
@@HauntedHippie It’s pretty awful. There’s a few episodes of the Behind the Bastards podcast dedicated to it.
Picture being a kid in 1981 and three (3)!! Great werewolf films were released that year. This one, "Wolfen" and "the Howling".
But "An American werewolf in London" is one of my favorite films of all time. It was funny and pretty scary that combination is still hard to top today. The ending still one of the saddest final scenes ever with the upbeat 'Blue Moon' by the Marcels playing over the credits.
I was disappointed with wolfen
Because I made the mistake of reading the novel before seeing the film which is one of my favourites
The film is ok but could have been so much better
Awesome vid! My personal favorite is Dog Soldiers.
No enough words can describe how much I love this film especially that transformation scene. Thank you for the review.
Well done, I really liked this deep dive. An American Werewolf in London is, in my opinion, a great example of achieving balance of comedy and horror. The werewolf scenes are horrifying, and I reckon that what happened in production is even more so. But it's also got a really dark, quirky sense of humor, which makes it fun. And I like how respectful and well done the Jewish representation is, it makes me enjoy and appreciate the movie even more.
This channel is seriously incredible. Your work ethic is superhuman. I know all this hard work is going to pay off huge.
You really put a lot of work into your deep dives. Very informative .
I remember first watching this movie when I was in eighth grade and after finishing it I personally thought that this was one of the greatest werewolf movie ever made.
I'll take it one step further. I think it's the best movie ever(IMO). It has _EVERYTHING:_ action, gore, humor, jump scares, love story, sex scene, _THE_ best and most iconic werewolf transformation scene, a weird (but decisive) ending and a killer soundtrack.
The music, the acting, the script, the effects = perfection! No werewolf movie before or since has come close to eclipsing it. It is the Jaws of the Werewolf movies. Another great video Kylie!
Every month on the full moon, I want to watch this movie. I also watch it every October 30th
As with a lot of your deep dives, this was really interesting and informative. I've also never really been into werewolves but watching this and learning about what went into this, definitely gives me a new appreciation for them. Even though I have never really watched a ton of movies and shows that had werewolves in them, I recall even when I was young, some people referencing the themes of puberty when it came to werewolves, which at the time I didn't understand until later. Same with the Jewish fear. But like always, learn something new each time. You're also not wrong about how actors from classic horror movies had to go through a lot to make these movies. Thanks again Kylie for another great deep dive!
Woah! The Grimm Life Collective guy interviewed John Landis?!
Top 3 films of all time. The element of Survivor's guilt is so tragic and hard hitting and that werewolf design by Rick Baker. Holy hell.
One the first horror films I've ever seen. Saw it Opening Weekend and it was a double feature with Lucio Fulci's Zombie. I was 6... Changed my life!
Lol I saw it when I was 6 too. I think it was my first R rated movie. Didn't have the guts to go back to it till I was 10.
Wait… you watched Zombie at 6?? That is WILD 😅😅
@@kroagw06 yeah I was 6 or 7. My Mom and Uncle loved movies and they went to the double feature every week. That was the one that week. I saw many movies, I probably shouldn’t have seen and that age. LOL
@@dwaynecatheyI definitely saw my fair share of movies I shouldn’t have seen as kid as well. I just can’t comprehend what my 6 y/o mind would have made of a Fulci movie 🤣 Like, if I saw The Beyond as a kid, I probably would have been to scarred to watch movies ever again.
The Howling is number one for me. Dog Soldiers second. American Werewolf in London 3rd.
Wow! A+ deep dive. Very informative and entertaining. Subscribing! :)
There are a load of great Werewolf movies out there. Hope you get to Silver Bullet, Dog Soldiers, Bad Moon and seeing how you've done this you will have to do An American Werewolf in Paris
probably not gonna deep dive those but Bad Moon is definitely underrated
god i love this film so much, one of my top 10 favorite in the genre. so excited to get into this vid
I’m very excited to hear you’re getting a hunger for the classic horrors of Universal. Partly because so many are just terrific movies, but mostly because watching those inevitably leads to watching the RKO Val Lewton horror movies of the ‘40s. Think of Universal horror as the Blumhouse/Conjuring school of its day (fun, general audience scares) and Lewton’s movies as the A24. They’re a more psychological, dramatic and sophisticated flavor of horror.
Oo love that can’t wait
@@HauntedHippie a little forewarning, a lot of the times the titles are deceptive. The studio (RKO) would essentially give Val Lewton a salacious title that they figured would attract people… and then he would basically do whatever he wanted. So, for example, a movie like ISLE OF THE DEAD sounds like some kind of zombie or ghost yarn but neither can be found… but what is there is probably more engaging. Hope you dig them!
One of the first movies I rented on VHS at the grocery store back in the 1980's (actually my brother did; I wasn't old enough at the time) - it's a classic 🐺
Also, Kylie, your deep dives are really informative; now that you're done with college, you should think about teaching part-time in film studies. You always give us new insights with your research 🎬
What do you say, Professor K?
And finally, yes, please make a new werewolf movie; we'd love it
I think if the TH-cam thing doesn’t pan out I should certainly look into teaching hahaha
You really are one of the best review channels on the TH-cams. The amount of research you do is amazing.
And PLEASE watch Dog Soldiers. Great werewolf movie.
I’ve seen it!
19:56 LOL
Yes! This deep dive is howling with intelligence and introspection, I love it! John landis is a goofball for sure and filmmakers were definitely built different back then! But those Dr Pepper commercials David Naughton did cracked me up!
Also loved that this was a mini deep dive for Rick Baker! His work won him the very first Oscar for makeup and special effects! And he better do the makeup for your werewolf movie!
My favorite part of your deep dive is definitely discussing the John spira essay cuz that’s honestly everything a werewolf is to me. The metaphor of the werewolf being a monster that fears/kills anyone else different from them, whether by race, creed, sexuality, I feel like werewolf metaphors can be applied to any of those and we can have a much deeper well of werewolf movies if we want it. I’d definitely love to see what you would make of you do decide to do that werewolf movie!
Thank you again dark mistress! So glad you’re finally dipping your toes into the werewolf genre! Cheers love! 🇬🇧
Hahaha let’s all write a strongly worded letter to Rick baker shall we
@@HauntedHippie ✍🏻📝
An american werewolf in london is definitely one of my favourite horror films of all time
Best deep dive into this film I've ever seen. A lot of stuff I never knew. Big congrats from London my friend. You are going to be very successful.
I watched this movie dozens of times, And you my Leader opened my eyes to new things and information ,
Nobody does deep dives like you!
Thanks and stay safe
Great deep dive, HH! Werewolves rule💪🏼
Great deep dive into a great movie!
Great in depth video on this iconic/classic werewolf movie that has beyond stood the test of time.
The editing ✅ the delivery ✅ your humor ✅ the research ✅ the pacing ✅ the structure ✅ the aesthetic ✅
Every aspect of your videos are just so well thought out and put together. You’re a straight up superstar. This is a burner because I don’t like commenting from my main account but I have a channel with a million subs and I wish the videos I made were half as good as yours. Please keep up the great work, I know building a channel can sometimes be a discouraging experience. You’re definitely going places ⭐️
oo we have a mystery superstar in our midst!
@@HauntedHippie 😂😂 I promise my channel is so not in any way cool lmao
Classic film. Also not sure if you've seen it or not but Dog Soldiers is my personal favorite werewolf film and a cult classic
One of the bar patrons is the late Rik Mayall who of course was in the hit sitcom The Young Ones.
Such a transcendent film for wolf flicks. They paved the way for so many with what they created with this film. Dog Soldiers is my favorite of all time but I will always consider this flick the godfather of all werewolf pieces. 🎬 🐾
Ok so I'm not the only one who's picked up on the mental health allegories going on here.
Like David has an affliction that he can't control and can't get help or tell anyone about because no one will believe his reality, and the whole time he's haunted by visions of his best friend who tells him that he's a monster and his only option is to off himself 💔
Good analysis!
The practical effects in this film are incredible. Even though they are obviously fake, it doesn't really matter. The fact that they are physically there being filmed imbues them with a sense of tangibility and realism. In contrast, so many movies made 10 or 12 years afterwards with CGI effects of the day have not stood the test of time.
I thought the wolfs in their zoo are not real wolfs by caninae family tree, but NOPE I was wrong! They’re legit WOLFS!! 🐺🐕
You could hire me as concept art (designer) for American werewolf remake!
Interesting enough from your deep divide was the battle between Rick and John over the create version of werewolf design and I’ve seen many arguments, for which idea will get the upper hand than other, so it’s a pattern such as concept art and creative control.
Nice color choice of blue lighting.
Hope you dig into “Dog Soldiers”
And the various other smatterings of Werewolves In other classic films! Also a really nice subversion is an episode of the recent season of black mirrors…
Ameeican werewolf in london was amazing but my two favorites are silver bullet and howl.
I didn't make it to the first transformation when I tried to watch it the first time as a kid. AAWIL is now my favourite movie. What interests me is the conspiracy theme in the movie. Why is Scotland Yard so intent on covering up the werewolf attack in East Proctor?
Great film, great review.
The BBC radio 1 did a radio drama adaptation of the movie it was good
American werewolf is a classic film not so much the sequel very poor dog soldiers is my favourite werewolf film can't wait for your deep dive on that film
Can I recommend a Spanish horror movie from 2012 called attack of the werewolves as long as you are ok with subtitles it's a ok horror comedy which I found quite funny
Any way great informative video as always
Heartbeeps was a great movie. Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters are robots who fall in love trying to escape servitude or some such; can't quite remember as I haven't seen it since it came out.
I've had a head cast of me done at uni for my friend's project. It was actually quite relaxing. I guess you might panic if you are claustrophobic but I'm not so it was fine. My friend still has my head in his bedroom lol.
There's a song by Ice Nine Kills and they wrote a song based on this movie and it was iconic and its called Love Bites. Definitely recommended listening to it because it made me watch the movie.
Excellent vid! If you're doing more werewolf movies, I'd love to see one on Good Manners (2017). Criminally underrated Brazilian queer werewolf film.
such a great and thorough deep dive!!
The Jewish theme actually derives from the original Wolf Man (released one week before Pearl Harbor). That film was written by Curt Siodmak, who had fled Hitler's Germany before coming to Hollywood. Almost all of the werewolf mythology in that film has no basis in werewolf legend but has been interpreted as reflecting Siodmak's fears as a Jewish man at the time. Most famously, the werewolf identifies his next victim by a vision of a five-pointed pentagram in their palm (like how the Star Of David was used during the Holocaust). Additionally, the idea that in The Wolf Man, the American Larry Talbot being trapped by what Landis and film historians have called a fairy-tale nightmare version of Europe and overtaken by a wolf-themed evil has been interpreted as an allegory for Jewish people living in Germany at the time
My favourite werewolf film is Dog soldiers the werewolves and humour was amazing
I love the premise of these selective deep dives. If youre ever looking for ideas about other werewolf deep dives you should check out Cursed. A movie that was 90% filmed then completely reshot. A pretty interesting story.
Covered that in the Wes craven deep dive. LOVE the movie still
The Howling is pretty magnificent also 🌙
I've never heard of this movie somehow, but I really enjoyed this video and might check it out at some point
All fans of the film should check out the audio play. It is on youtube and I think it is a more complete story. John Landis himself consulted on it. Great commentary though.
Have you ever seen the roundtable interview with Landis, Carpenter and Chronenburg all being interviewed by Mick Garris?
It was done just after Landis shot Werewolf, and right while Carpenter was doing the Thing & Chronenburg was working on videodrome.
They talk a lot about film ratings, effects work, their experiences on set, etc. I got a lot out of that interview that i hadn't seen elsewhere.
No I don’t think I have 😮
@@HauntedHippie it's great. I totally recommend it. I found it on youtube, someone split it into 3 parts at the commercial breaks. It was originally a half hour TV special.
If you search for "fear on film 1982 roundtable" it should come up.
I never saw An American Werewolf in Paris. Do you know how that compares to the first one?
Off topic: I just wanna say your fit absolutely slays (respectfully ofc) along with the one from the 2010s horror vid:)
(Also another great deep dive I really dug this movie and knowing all this bts stuff)
So ginger snaps is definitely getting a deep dive right?
Yes next week 👍🏼
@@HauntedHippie yea, you literally said it 5 minutes later....
it probably is the best werewolf film, but it has issues. The main plot issue being the 5 hour drive from Yorkshire to London. Why was David not in a hospital in Yorkshire?
Do you see any similarities between American werewolf in London and ginger snaps
I Start Watching this deep dive and I keep looking to your right and see your candle is not lit. I couldn't hear what you were saying because I was so distracted. Finally, you got up to light it and I was so relieved.
I didn't need a time machine for this movie, I was in the theater for my first watch. I feel that it was the first time I saw a four leg Werewolf. I grew up with the Classic Monsters. The comic part was nice too. I love Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein. In American Werewolf in London the parts with the victims coming back especially from his friend and their transformations was one of the best parts talked about at the time. That's part of why it made such an impact at the time and even now. 2023 I feel that we did have some good Horror films. But in the same year if you don't throw in a Renfield film to lighten things up it's just not the same. Like A & C meet Frankenstein to help pay tribute in a Comic way to all the Classics we so Love.
Oh, the makeup special effects. I do remember the first time I saw it; I wanted more Werewolf in the movie. but the comic parts were a good twist, and the experience was still enjoyable. I would like to note too that since that movie came out, you could see in other werewolf movies that the transformation scenes have been like you said been more painful.
Last just I just wanted to say that in your last cast with Slegehammer Horror they mentioned that they lived in Michigan. Ken posted yesterday that he was a big Detroit Lions fan and wanted everyone's support. I Texted back to him that my daughter Natasha lives in Royal "Oak and that she and her boyfriend are super Lions fans. I also told him that I
was a Patron of your channel. He responded for thanking me for supporting you so much. He also said that you were an amazing creator and better friend.
I love these deep dives you do. You do a great job, what more can I say.
Ken is so great! Love that you’re connected with the Sledges too!
This was great. I hope you cover more older horror movies. I once saw a thing about The Wolfman where someone said that he was being hunted and he didn't know why inrelation to the Jewish thing. Also I finished Queer for Fear last night and in one episode they mention werewolves in relation to the sexuality / penis metaphor. So yeah werewolves can represent a bunch of things!
Ginger snaps 1. 2. 3. My favorites. And Bad moon movie and American werewolf in Paris. And London and cursed ware wolf movies 😊😊
Do you think there is a chance they couldn't remake American werewolf in London but a female version playing the part of David and in a female version of the movie with an actress playing the part of David do you think that it is possible they could do that or not but instead of a male version of American werewolf in London a female version
Love this. Also, Adolf is german for wolf. That's why Hitler had a wolfsona.
Best werewolf film
Best dream sequence
Best nurse
👌
My master and slave keeper of souls
Yoou should check out gingers snaps part 2
You would love it
U wanna do wolves....
The Brotherhood of the Wolf.......
AMC+
I loved jenny in this! Fabulous actress. Saw call the midwife before watching this though, so it was kinda surprising 😂
Christ all mighty! Seems we can't discus, or even so much as hear about, ANY movie more than ten years old anymore without hearing the frigging word "remake" or, worse still, the more trendy sounding "reeboot".
I have a couple of interesting things that could have been brought up here.
1981 was truly the year of the big werewolf films. Not only were two upscale genre-bending films brought out by Hollywood, but there was another!
Check into Wolfen**, with Albert Finney and Gregory Hines for a different take on the werewolf mythology and a detective thriller in one!
Also, I'm sorry to be the one bring this to you, but not only was Max Landis alleged to be a no goodnik but his dad too, it seems. There was a terrible event during his filming of Twilight Zone: The Movie, and there were 2 deaths that could have been prevented.😢
I was disappointed to learn of this later as an adult after having been a fan of AAWIL and TZTM. I still love both but it's tough to think of Mr Landis the same.
** Based on the book by Whitley Strieber who also wrote The Hunger and Communion, both of which might interest you as a genre fan, The Hunger especially, and its the start of a trilogy!
“Poor legacy to carry on by his father? “ ……..you mean the same John Landis that killed the actor Vic Morrow and 2 little girls on the set of “ the twilight zone “ movie .
Scan the comments before being redundant pls
I swear, movie critics are professional dumdums when it comes to horror. If I went on a date with a guy and he told me he's a movie critic I'd get up and leave. I don't want to marry a party pooper.
Love what you do. Check out a film I produced called ANTIBIRTH with Natasha Lyonne, Chloe Sevigny, Meg Tilly and Mark Webber. And the features THE RAMBLER and THE OREGONIAN by cult filmmaker Calvin Lee Reeder (also produced and all started at Sundance). Great material you have and very thorough. Kudos. AAWIL is one of my personal faves.
mu top 2 werewolf films are a,w,i,l and dog soldiers
I'm scared!! I don't always agree with your opinions, but I fully respect your personal subjective views. But this one is a bit more personal to me, as watching it are some of the earliest memories I have (my parents having a let's fuck around and find out attitude to parenting) and I'm sure it's guided my journey to the horror movie loving freak that I am today.
I seem to recall you didn't much care for it on your first viewing, which did make me a little sad, but I hope it's a grower and you've maybe warmed to it a little more. I guess I'll have to watch to find out.
Just thinking about the soundtrack gives me goosebumps! Moondance being one of the sexiest songs ever made and the various versions of Blue Moon! The practical effects are also still some of the best, IMO. Sorry, I could go on and on!
Hail glorious leader!
hope I did not disappoint 👍🏼
I'm not a fan of the werewolf being used as a theme for puberty. My take on it is the basis in lycanthropy is to remind people that there is a beast within all of us. And there's the question, " Does the bite of a werewolf or any other werecreature put the beast in you, or does it just let it out?". Also that thing about Hitler and wolves I'm not a fan of that either because I love wolves myself but the way he utilizes his obsession with wolves really gives them a bad reputation honestly. Wolves are not like nazis they don't torture and terrorize people and put them in concentration camps.
Be aware, the Ginger Snaps Trilogy goes downhill quick. They are still fun to watch though, but the first is always the best.
I suppose the same could be said for this film as well, bc AAWIParis was a huge dip in quality.
Keep up the great work!!
I’ve yet to explore the sequels because I’m scared of exactly that haha
a great movie . i would also like to recomend movie dog solidiers
YUSSSS I love lycanthropes!
This movie will corrupt your mind 😂
The news about Max Landis' remake being halted was so great to hear. Both him and his father are kind of insufferable people who should be in prison, but at least John Landis has talent.
Omg what did John Landis do
Nothing really came up in my research for this
@@HauntedHippie He was a director on the _Twilight Zone_ movie, which resulting in the deaths of Vic Morrow and two illegally-hired Vietnamese child actors after a helicopter crashed due to negligence involving pyrotechnics.
💯💯💯
I wouldn’t mind a gender flipped version of the movie.
There's a sexual element to the movie for sure (two of the leads are horny young guys, the relationship with Alex, etc.), but I agree that it doesn't tie male sexuality to lycanthropy the way Ginger Snaps does with female sexuality. Hammer's "Curse of the Werewolf" and Jack Nicholson's "Wolf" are two I can think of that more specifically do that.
Oo I haven’t seen those
@@HauntedHippie "Curse" is flawed like a lot of Hammer films but interesting for being one of the only mainstream werewolf movies I've seen to more or less ignore all of Kurt Siodmak's lore from The Wolfman and do something different with the mythos (although content warning, there is some mostly offscreen S.A.) And "Wolf" leans more into being a corporate, mid-life crisis satire with a werewolf backdrop but it's very early 90s funny.
Great werewolf movie 👍
Oh hell No David Naughton was way too brave to be in a cage with those wolves if I was actor I would be way to scared thinking those wolves would bite my naughty part thinking it's a chew toy like wtf they mean they been fed ?! 😳😂
Hey 👋 Kylie 🩷💋👼🏻✌🏻🐺
❤❤❤❤❤
Folk complain about the ending. It’s perfect. This isn’t the David Kessler story. It’s a story about an American werewolf in London. Once that’s gone. Story over. Fxk feelings after that lol
It’s pure horror that way. It, to me, watches like a newspaper article reads. Informs you of what happens. Then ends. lol it’s like watching an discovery channel piece
I'm such a dunce.
I've seen this movie several times, and the Jewish fear/experience never really sunk in for me as something that was being communicated. Obviously, I'll need to re-watch it with that in mind. I've always interpreted it with more of a queer subtext.
It’s definitely up to interpretation still 🤷🏽♀️
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🐺🌙
You're so full of yourself
dope. great movie, amazing fx of course!
john landis is so candid in those interviews lmao.
didn't know landis did stunt work, that's wild.
the stolen shots at piccadilly circus remind me of the french connection-- they have a chase scene in real traffic. it was the 70s! lol
the subtext is subtle but it works! i feel like the jewish identity thing works moreso than the puberty thing, but it's there.
woah, in context with max landis getting cancelled--- what if the werewolf is a metaphor for like toxic masculinity (for lack of a better term lol) he becomes the monster and *spoilers* gets popped bc he can't control his urge to attack/overpower her. the power of subtext!!!
oof yea max landis definitely the wolf in sheeps' clothing
@@HauntedHippie for real!