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Several famous deleted or altered scenes from An American Werewolf in London
(1981) have been discussed by outlets like Cracked, often focusing on how they explain plot gaps or character motivations. Famous Deleted or Altered Scenes
The Tramp Murders: This is considered the film's "lost" holy grail. Director John Landis filmed a graphic sequence of the werewolf killing three homeless men in a junkyard. It was cut because test audiences found it too intense and distracting, similar to the "Spider Pit" scene in King Kong. No known video or audio of this scene exists today
David’s Final Phone Call: In some versions (notably older UK DVD releases due to mastering errors), a scene where David calls home to his sister Rachel was removed. In this emotional call, he says goodbye to his family just before attempting to die by suicide with a pen knife. The Zoo Interaction an american werewolf in london deleted scenes cracked
: A cut scene featured a young boy with balloons who is approached by a naked David after he wakes up in the wolf enclosure. The boy tells a nearby adult that a naked American man stole his balloons.
MPAA/Rating Cuts: Several graphic moments were toned down for the "R" rating in the US, including: The love scene between David and Jenny.
A shot of half-eaten toast falling out of the undead Jack’s throat. Several famous deleted or altered scenes from An
Alternate music: Some early TV versions used "Happy Together" by The Turtles instead of "Moondance" during the love scene. "Cracked" Context
Cracked often highlights how these scenes fix "flaws." For example, the article you likely remember, 7 Famous Movie Flaws That Were Explained in Deleted Scenes, discusses how deleted footage or alternate takes can clarify character arcs or technical "bloopers" that made it into final cuts. Behind The Scenes Saturday: An American Werewolf In London
The Myth: David spends weeks in the hospital. In the final film, we see Nurse Alex Price (Jenny Agutter) flirting with him briefly. The Cracked Truth: The original cut featured a three-minute montage of David’s physical therapy and his growing romantic attachment to Alex. It included a scene where David tries to use a urinal while still bandaged, falling over, and Alex having to help him—a moment of awkward intimacy that explained their sudden bond. Why cut? Landis felt it slowed the pace. He preferred the shock of David leaving the hospital 20 minutes in rather than 30. David turns to the police, gestures for them
The successful cracking of An American Werewolf in London’s vaults is more than a fan victory. It is a case study in film preservation.
For years, studios argued that deleted scenes were lost due to "vinegar syndrome" (film decay). The recent cracked footage, however, proves that Universal Studios had a pristine copy labeled "Alternate Cuts – Destroy 1985" sitting in a climate-controlled locker. Why claim it was destroyed? Legal reasons. Several actors in the deleted scenes (including a very young Hugh Grant as a paramedic) had their likenesses removed for contract disputes.
When the community "cracked" the digital signatures, they bypassed the studio’s official narrative. They proved that the "lost" media was not lost—it was hidden.
The most controversial finding. The theatrical ending has David shot dead by police after killing Alex. The cracked workprint shows a different finale: