"Stick to the roads lads. Best of luck." Judging by the number of cars parked at the Brecons junction where that iconic scene was filmed, it's become a tourist attraction in its own right.
One of my favourite movies of all time! Haven't watched it in a couple of decades now so I need to rewatch. The first time I went to London as a teenager I did a little location searching of my own and managed to scare myself. I think it was when I went down to the Underground and it was genuinely deserted, my mind started going into overdrive 😂
One of the most interesting parts of the film is where albeit briefly the tv is shown on. If I remember rightly, at the time, BBC1 was showing Test Card F as they used to then; BBC2 sport like snooker; and ITV was showing ads at the time. Channel 4 did not start later until 1982 anyway. I guess it was meant to be in the daytime of course so too. Thank you!
Very nice video, a duplicate of the interior of the flat in Earls Court was recreated at Twickenham Film Studios so while there was some filming inside the actual flat, the transformation scene was shot on the set at the studio. That piece of waste ground where the tramps congregate near Tower Bridge, that was actually on the opposite side of the river from the area you feature in your video, you need to walk along past St Katherine's dock and you will find a small grassy park by the river and that is where the waste ground was. There was actual filming at Piccadilly Circus, and also at Twickenham Studios where a section of Piccadilly Circus was build on the backlot that featured the exterior of the porno cinema, interestingly that little clip from the movie of Piccadilly Circus in your video is the backlot set. The dream sequences where David runs naked through the woods and kills a Dear, and where his hospital bed is outside in the forest were filmed at Black Park which is a wild nature reserve with a lake right next to Pinewood studios, Black Park has featured in hundreds of movies and is worth a visit as many film locations there are still recognisable.
@@nancyboysuk @christoph404 you're right man, the list of films made in Black Park must be pages long - it's pretty big and quiet, wild woodlands with lakes, and also rough pathways all the way through, and being 5mins away from Pinewood obviously makes it very popular. My son volunteers there with the woodland trust, maintaining the park and stuff, and told me there's filming going on at the moment. Bond films galore were shot there, and even Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's opening sequence. Thanks for the info. x
They filmed the main flat interiors at Earl's Court, but Rick Baker needed a replica because the floor needed to be about six feet up so the actor's legs hung down whilst Rick Baker and his team were puppeteering the fake body and legs.
Seems like a missed opportunity to have not renamed the 'Black Swan' as the 'Slaughtered Lamb' complete with full decor. Althoough, if the pub was located in a more "touristy" location, it would have perhaps have made more sense.
I went hiking here, and tried to desperately not imagine the werewolf howl in my head. Similarly, I went hiking in Maryland near where The Blair Witch Project was filmed, as desperately tried to not imagine the sounds of branches being snapped.
I was 13 in 1981 and saw this in my local cinema. They'd always let us into AA rated and X rated films even though they knew we were far too young. Those were the days.
I'm thrilled to be the first person to comment! This was a brilliant video, a great tribute to the greatest comedy/horror of all time - well done, Dan and the others! Love this film so much. Always have.
I grew up with this awesome film and it's still in my top ten of favourite films. Cracking locations tour, thanks. P.S. If I had £50 billion I'd buy the flat 😆
Loved this. A movie I grew up watching. As you said still holds up today as one of the greats. To be fair for me I haven’t seen a transformation that’s better.
Guys, this was really entertaining and fascinating. AAWIL is one of my favourite horror movies so it's brilliant getting your tour and commentary, Dan. More of these please!
That was good fun, really enjoyed watching that 👍. Haven't watched this film for prob 25 years (or more 😯), I'll have to dig it out and give it a go. Thanks 👍👍👍.
That was a really interesting film guys- thanks for that. I remember the film being released and as a kid at the time, I was really terrified. When I watch the scenes from the film now, I realise how far special effects have came on since the 80s. Well Done!
I come from the north of uk so relate to this in some ways, the moors that overlook my house are eerie but thankfully free of werewolves . I’ve staggered home many times over the fields late at night, but apart from a few grumpy cows it was ok
I was so terrified of this film when I was a kid. Especially the bit when he wakes up from his dream and sees monsters but isn’t fully awake. Great video. Really well put together. 👍
Great video guys ! Love finding out about film locations. Amazingly, I recognised Winchester Walk - as I walked down there with my London mate a few years ago, and asked a local guy, 'how far to the Millwall ground'. Film trickery or what ?! Brilliant - well done.
This just randomly popped up on my RU-vid channel. This film has meant so much to me in my life and seeing you guys hunt down the locations is something I’ve thought about doing my whole but never got around to. So Thank you and well done. Brilliant stuff!
I grew up in Earls Court and I still remember my friend telling me he saw them shooting that scene with David trying to get in through the window, I still park my motorcycle in the bay opposite 64 when I visit my mother. Thanks for the video, brought back lots of memories and what a great film it is, will watch it again soon and will go to the the Surrey pub location too one day.
How wonderful to see your well researched video. In the summer of 1982, when we were 15yrs old, my friend John Rutherford suggested that we travelled to Crickadarn to see where American Warewolf in London was filmed. We prepared rucksacks: with tent, sleeping bags, camping stove, mess tins and food rations, and took the train to Builth Wells. We walked from there to Crickadarn, but halfway we luckily hitched a lift with workman in an old van - we couldn't understand their accents (from Swansea). We got to Crickadarn and were disappointed that the Angel Statue was not there, and the Slaughtered Lamb pub was just a cottage. We camped at the farm (LHS on entering the village) the dogs barked throughout the night, and at early dawn we heard sheep running about squealing, we got out to see the farmer cutting the sheep's tails off - drops of blood were all over the ground ! We went to the top of the hill (the farmers land) and took photos of the village from approx the same scene in the film. Wonderful memories - John if you are still out there please add your comment.
@@drdj2626No, but the dogs barked throughout the nighr which gave us both a sleepless night, and I am sure if it was this occasion when a cow came by sniffing at, and knocking our mess tins !
Great video. Saw the film when I was about 10. Bit young probably. Freaked me out 😆. Even the tube stations up were I am near Liverpool have a certain feeling about them
Fantastic job. This was the 1st rated R movie I ever saw. Being 11 at the time, this movie scared the heck out of me. Great job on the locations. Thank you
As a young, Irish lad of 16 I first came to London to work in early 1983. One of my fondest (and eeriest) memories is walking round Tottenham Court Road Underground station imagining the film being made only a year or so before I wish so much that the internet had been around then, I missed so, so many famous filming locations for the very simple fact I, or anybody else, knew where they were! I know for a fact I walked past many such locations back then without realising their film history. I worked right beside the filming locations for 'A Clockwork Orange' for several weeks .. never knew until 30 odd years later! sigh! I did witness the filming of Elton John's "I guess that's why they call it the blues" video as it was filmed beside Crofton park railway Station (Brockley) which I used every morning to get to work
@@nancyboysuk Yes, it was filmed outside (and inside) the Rivoli ballroom in Crofton park, Brockley opposite the railway station. If you ever do visit, take a quick walk of about 100 yards past it till you get to Hazeldon road, (Brockley) half way up the street is where they filmed the motorcycle and sidecar scene in Tracey Ullman's ' Move Over Darling' video. She also filmed the ballroom dancing scenes in the Rivoli. Then walk a further 300 yards or so (still on Brockley road) till you get to 22a Stondon Park in Honor Oak - that house is where the Irishman, Jim Connell, wrote the the Labour party's anthem "The Red Flag". Walk a further 200 yards until you get to Riseldine Road and in that street you'll find the childhood home of Spike Milligan! Oh! and Kate Bush lived in Wickham Road (Brockley) in the early 1980s! :)
@@nancyboysuk The Rivoli was host to quite a few famous videos ( by the way, Coolmacatrain is my other youtube channel) Tina Turner's "Private Dancer" video was shot there and more recently the 1940's flashback scenes from the movie "Avengers: Age of Ultron" were filmed in the Rivoli.
@@LeeMcDaidDonegal amazing, I’m definitely going to cover this at some point, will make sure to give you a shout out. Probably driven past it many times and had no idea!
What makes AWIL so re-watchable and the best Werewolf Film is that the characters are so likeable (unlike the Howling, which i didn't care about any of the people in it)
Years ago we were down a backstreet taking photos of old building front and some tourists were being given a tour. One asked why we were taking photos. We pointed out the building front was were lock stock and two smoking barrels was filmed.
I watch this film at least once a year, it's never dull, perfectly paced, scarey, funny, with stunning special effects, oh, and a great script... I think, as Brian Glover's character said " that's enough!"
Really enjoyed that. I watched this movie upon release in Hereford whilst I was still at school. I never knew then that the moor scenes were shot so close. I have of course been up the bluff many times and hiked through Crickadarn and have known for some years now the locations there. But it was so good to see the London ones and to hear that the pub transforms itself back into the set. Well, good going. Mark
@@nancyboysuk A pleasure. I always enjoy the American Werewolf debates. It is fantastic around here. There's more on my channel if interested. You wouldn't go wrong exploring the area again. Well, here's to old classics. P.S just a thought. I have done one film location video in the Wye Valley. I think you'd enjoy a visit. It's of the 'Shadowlands' scene where C.S. Lewis (Hopkins) and Joy Gresham (Winger) stand in the barn just before she dies. It's a fantastic valley - just cop and paste the title/it's in two parts. No links because google doesn't like it. Have a good day.
Often went through Tottenham Court Station back then, as was in the RAF and went through London heading home on leave. Once saw some 'See You Next Wednesday' movie posters in the corridor there (there were often softcore movies advertised, this was a year or so after all the 'Back Emmanuelle' movies, for a period example). A few years later, the whole station was re-done in mosaics (can be dated by the NASA astronaut using the Manned Manouvreing backpack in the mosaics to the early 1980s), which have been tarted up again more recently, back to 'original 1980s' condition.
The Tottenham Court Road scene wouldn't have made sense event if it was the last train at night. You would never have just one person at the station at any time but there's a quick cut when you see the clock showing 13:01 when on any day of the week would be thousands of people but that aside it was very effective.
Unfortunately unlike you I was born before 1981 infact 74 ,my auntie bought this from the looky looky man a pirate on beta max , I remember being terrified and didn’t understand any of the humour but wow what a film when I was 7 and even better now im 48 , I enjoyed your film very much but I wish the slaughted lamb was a pub in the dales 😀
That’s so kind, thank you. A fun hobby for me regardless but definitely would love more people to see them. Keep an eye out for The Omen and 28 Days Later which should be coming next 😊
I called in at Crickadarn last summer on the way back to Yorkshire from the Steelhouse Rock Festival in Ebbw Vale and had exactly the same feelings as you guys - photos in front of the cottage, the garage door, the churchyard gate and in the graveyard, it was brilliant. A long time ago (over thirty years ago) I bumped into Jenny Agutter in Harrogate where I used to work, she was appearing at the Conference Centre and coming out of the sandwich shop I used to go to for my dinner everyday as I was going in, so I held the door open for her and said "After you, Jenny". She smiled, but looked at me as if to say "Do I know you?", and I didn't have the heart to tell her she was possibly my favourite actress (at the time) and had starred in some of my favourite films, AAWIL being the greatest. But I love Logan's Run, Equus, Walkabout and The Eagle Has Landed as well. I love this film the most though. My brother is in an obscure rock band, you won't have heard of them, he met Brian Glover and asked him to recreate the "That's Enough. That's Enough" vocal part, which he recorded then included as the opening intro for one of their songs.
Yes it was a comedy, I remember laughing my head off when Jack was attacked in the moors! I was 9 when it was released so I was the same age you were when I watched it.
I took my younger brother to see this movie when it first came out. He didn’t want to see it. I told him that we’d leave if he wanted to. He wanted to leave at some point and I told him, “ We’re staying “. Lol. Our family still brings it up at family gatherings and a few years ago he was given a gift of an American Werewolf in London tee shirt. Lol. My younger brother will be turning 53 soon. 🤣. We laugh about it now but he wasn’t laughing about it then. Love this movie. 🐺🌚❤️. Thanks for the video.
I've only watched half of this as I'm at work but yes this looks fantastic - just like the film. Probably in the top ten of my all time favourite films. Good work!
Thank you for sharing and I’m a massive London movie location fan and this video was brilliant to see. For years when I went to Piccadilly Circus I thought the old cinema was in a different area of Piccadilly Circus so thanks for correcting me. I never knew the scene at the end of the movie was filmed at Winchester Walk. I been down there so many times and Mel when I go there again I can now find where David died in the movie. Now a subscriber to the channel. I look forward to seeing future London / UK movie location videos.
Thanks Peter, glad you enjoyed it! ☺️ Also, Winchester Walk is where most people used to think David died but it’s one street along in Clink Street, near the Golden Hind replica. Have a fun day tracking all the locations down!
I haven’t see this wonderful film for years but I seem to remember that the late great Rik Mayall had a small role as one of the regulars in the Slaughtered Lamb pub👍😎
@@nancyboysuk Apparently Rik got the part because the film’s director John Landis saw Rik and Ade Edmondson performing a Dangerous Brothers routine at the Comedy Store like them and asked them both if they wanted a part in American Werewolf but only Rik turned up for the shoot!
@@arrangrant4614 Yeah Ade didn't believe it was a real offer. John Landis admitted later he didn't know what he'd do with them in the film but he liked them so much, without thinking asked them to be in it. Just think Rik and Ade could have both been in that scene!
A few years ago I drove down to Surrey to meet a girl for a date and we went to the Black Swan. As we sat in the bar I couldn’t ignore this nagging feeling that the place looked somehow familiar. At one point, my date went to the loo and while she was gone, I looked up the pub on my phone. I then discovered it was the location for one of my favourite scenes in one of my favourite movies and I literally lost my shit. Nothing came from the date but honestly I couldn’t care less because I’d had a pint in the Slaughtered Lamb
The first attack scene where their hitch hiking down the road of the moors was actually filmed at Middle Road Windsor great park. i lived in the house next to the set when i was a kid. the scene with jenny Agutter in the woods was on the hill woods on the right of the same location. The moon in that scene was actually a light on a crane.
Thanks for being the first to confirm my long-time suspicion that "the Moors" weren't the actual Moors. I couldn't say why, but the location didn't feel right.
The highlight of the movie is the Central London scene, exiting the cinema and all hell breaks loose. I find the prevailing onslaught of accidents hilarious. Amazing Movie!.
Love these film location videos, great upload. Saw this when it was first released. The attack at the begining on David`s friend Jack scared me so much I just got out of my cupboard a couple of years ago. Disturbed my mind for months that scene. Cold and clammy night for me that was. Some say it was classed as a comedy!!!! Yes it was a comedy, I remember laughing my head off when Jack was attacked in the moors! Fell off my chair laughing when he visited David in hospital with all that bacon hanging off his face and neck.
As someone who lives in the Yorkshire Dales I can confirm all our pubs are like The Slaughtered Lamb!! 😂😂 You didn’t go to Windsor Castle!! That’s where the sequence where David & Jack walk off the road & on to the moorland as it starts to rain. Also, you are correct about Tottenham Court Road Station; which has been massively redesigned following the construction of the Elizabeth Line. I spent 10yrs living in London prior to the station being redeveloped & actually figured out the route Gerald took. He got off the tube on the Northbound platform for the Northern Line; the train was travelling to Golders Green. He then crossed the platform, passing the closed gates for the Central Line. Interestingly the actual chase sequence was filmed in the tunnels at Charing Cross. These tunnels still exist; albeit closed off to the public, as they are on the old Jubilee Line platforms.
Every time I walk through Tottenham Court Road tube, without fail, I think of the film. I was too young when my dad rented the VHS but I sat as close as I could downstairs without him knowing and listened. My imagination filling in the blanks. Of course Michael Jackson used Landis and Baker on Thriller based on their work on Werewolf.
Really enjoyed this, many thanks. Please do St. Ives, Cornwall. were they filmed a good proportion of "Raise the Titanic' (1980) and Shrewsbury, Shropshire were they filmed 'A Christmas Carol' (1984).
Amazing. I am surprised that the Yorkshire Moors scene was actually filmed in Wales, though. I first saw this film on VHS video when I was off school. Such an atmospheric film with powerful scenes. Pretty scary. It would have been a great touch though, if Jenny Agutter had been with the uploader at the end of this location tour when they came to the point where David was shot.
I was actually fortunate enough to have used TCR station before the renovation. I went to loads of metal gigs at The Astoria, which is right by TCR, and used to the station go get to the venue and get home again. It sucks that it was completely redesigned.
I remember it well beforehand too, only through Crossrail that it got redesigned. The Astoria used to do a gay night called Camp Attack that was my first foray into London in my early 20s. A wonderfully grubby venue!
@@nancyboysuk I knew the venue was used as a gay club called G A Y, but I only ever went there for gigs. I saw most of my favourite bands there, from Megadeth to Stone Sour and HIM. The first ever major gig I went to was Cradle of Filth at Astoria back in December 2000.
@@nancyboysuk The Astoria was a horrible fleapit, as was Falconers Court that ran alongside, often used by films and music videos for the archetypal inner city alleyway.
You were in the Black Mountains not the Brecon Beacons. I remember seeing little signs saying Lycanthrope in various places, pointing up into the hills in 1980 or 81. I was quite surprised to see Hay Bluff when seeing the film for the first time. A damn good film.
A big part of this films like ability was that it had those human factors like comedy horror humour romance and love and last of all tragedy and sadness it gave you escapism and believability that this could of happened. Such a diverse one off great film with such good actors. Enjoy the drink of your choice sit back and relax and escape.
