1981
American tourists David and Jack are attacked by a werewolf on the English moors, resulting in Jack's death and David's hospitalization. David is nursed by Alex, with whom he develops a romantic relationship, but he is haunted by nightmares and visits from Jack's undead spirit, who warns him that he is now a werewolf and must kill himself to break the curse. David transforms into a werewolf and goes on a killing spree in London, waking up naked in the zoo with no memory of the events. After realizing he is responsible for the murders, David attempts to get arrested and later encounters Jack and his victims, who are now undead and urge him to commit suicide. David transforms again in a cinema, attacks the audience, and escapes into the streets of London, where he is cornered by the police and Alex, who tries to reach him before he is shot and killed, reverting to his human form.
Save the Cat beat sheet
An American Werewolf in London follows two American tourists who are attacked by a werewolf on the moors.
Open full beat sheetDavid Kessler is listed as Protagonist. Young American traveler, late twenties, becomes a werewolf. In the parsed data, David Kessler is connected to 52 scenes, 116 dialogue lines, 120 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
52 scenes / 116 dialogue linesAlex Price is listed as Supporting. English nurse at the hospital, David's love interest. In the parsed data, Alex Price is connected to 36 scenes, 67 dialogue lines, 67 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
36 scenes / 67 dialogue linesJack Goodman is listed as Supporting. David's best friend, killed by a werewolf, returns as an undead spirit. In the parsed data, Jack Goodman is connected to 17 scenes, 32 dialogue lines, 32 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
17 scenes / 32 dialogue linesDr. Hirsch is listed as Supporting. Commanding and intelligent doctor at the hospital. In the parsed data, Dr. Hirsch is connected to 16 scenes, 28 dialogue lines, 33 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
16 scenes / 28 dialogue linesMiss Gallagher is listed as Minor. Nurse at the hospital. In the parsed data, Miss Gallagher is connected to 5 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
5 scenes / 11 dialogue linesLt. Villiers is listed as Minor. Police officer from Scotland Yard. In the parsed data, Lt. Villiers is connected to 5 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
5 scenes / 10 dialogue linesSgt. McManus is listed as Minor. Police officer from Scotland Yard. In the parsed data, Sgt. McManus is connected to 4 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 14.
4 scenes / 7 dialogue linesChess Player is listed as Minor. Villager at The Slaughtered Lamb. In the parsed data, Chess Player is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDart Player is listed as Minor. Villager at The Slaughtered Lamb. In the parsed data, Dart Player is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesWoman Barkeep is listed as Minor. Barkeeper at The Slaughtered Lamb. In the parsed data, Woman Barkeep is connected to 4 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGerald Bringsly is listed as Minor. Undead victim of David. In the parsed data, Gerald Bringsly is connected to 1 scene, 6 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 82.
1 scenes / 6 dialogue linesMr. Collins is listed as Minor. American Embassy official. In the parsed data, Mr. Collins is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 13.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesThe camera pulls back from the moon to reveal the title.
David and Jack are dropped off by a truck driver who warns them to stay on the road.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanDavid and Jack walk along the moors discussing Jack's love interest, Debbie Klein.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanDavid and Jack arrive in the empty town of East Proctor.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanDavid and Jack observe the pub's sign.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanDavid and Jack enter the pub and are met with hostility.
David Kessler, Jack Goodman, Woman Barkeep, Chess Player, Dart PlayerDavid and Jack leave the pub.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanThe locals discuss the boys' departure.
Woman Barkeep, Chess Player, Dart PlayerDavid and Jack walk in the rain.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanThe locals hear a howl.
Woman Barkeep, Chess Player, Dart PlayerDavid and Jack are stalked by a wolf-monster.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanDavid wakes up in the hospital.
David Kessler, Alex Price, Miss GallagherDr. Hirsch and Mr. Collins visit David.
David Kessler, Alex Price, Dr. Hirsch, Mr. CollinsDr. Hirsch deals with a personal phone call and then meets with police officers investigating the attack on David and Jack.
Dr. Hirsch, Lt. Villiers, Sgt. McManusPolice interview David about the attack; he insists it was a wolf.
David Kessler, Dr. Hirsch, Lt. Villiers, Sgt. McManusA surreal sequence showing David running through the woods as a wolf and killing a fawn.
David KesslerMiss Gallagher checks on David and mentions her plans to see a film with Alex.
David Kessler, Miss GallagherMrs. Hobbs instructs Alex to deliver medication to David.
Alex Price, Miss GallagherAlex tries to give medication to a young patient named Benjamin.
Alex PriceAlex asks an orderly about David's condition.
Alex PriceAlex feeds David lunch and they begin to bond.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid has a nightmare where he finds his own corpse in the woods.
David KesslerMrs. Hobbs reacts to David's screams.
Miss GallagherDr. Hirsch questions David about his dreams and sanity.
David Kessler, Dr. HirschAlex reads to David, and they share a personal moment.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid has a nightmare where his family is murdered by demons.
David KesslerDavid wakes from his nightmare and flirts with Alex.
David Kessler, Alex PriceJack's undead spirit visits David to warn him about the werewolf curse.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanAlex rushes down the hospital corridor.
Alex PriceDavid is weeping in his hospital room while Jack's spirit speaks to him.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanAlex continues rushing down the corridor.
Alex PriceJack continues to comfort David.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanAlex reaches the door.
Alex PriceAlex enters the room to find David crying alone; they discuss his condition and Jack's visit.
David Kessler, Jack Goodman, Alex PriceAlex leads David to her flat.
David Kessler, Alex PriceAlex gives David a tour of her apartment.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid and Alex shower together.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid and Alex are intimate; they discuss Jack's reality.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid sees the rotting spirit of Jack in the mirror.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanJack urges David to commit suicide to stop the curse.
David Kessler, Jack GoodmanAlex wakes up from the noise.
Alex PriceAlex finds David alone; Jack has vanished.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDr. Hirsch arrives in East Proctor.
Dr. HirschDr. Hirsch questions the locals about the incident.
Dr. Hirsch, Woman Barkeep, Chess Player, Dart PlayerAlex leaves for work; David is apprehensive.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid is locked out and climbs back into the flat.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid checks his teeth in the mirror.
David KesslerDavid checks the fridge.
David KesslerDavid lies on the bed.
David KesslerDavid checks the fridge again.
David KesslerDavid paces nervously.
David KesslerAlex checks on Benjamin.
Alex PriceDavid undergoes the painful transformation into a werewolf.
David KesslerA couple arrives at a block of flats.
The werewolf attacks the couple.
Sean's wife notices something in the park.
Dr. Hirsch asks to speak with Alex.
Alex Price, Dr. HirschSean investigates the park.
Dr. Hirsch talks to Alex about David.
Alex Price, Dr. HirschSean finds an arm.
The phone rings.
Dr. Hirsch and Alex discuss the mystery.
Alex Price, Dr. HirschDerelicts encounter the werewolf.
The werewolf stalks a passenger in the subway.
David wakes up naked in the zoo, realizes his situation, and hides from visitors.
David Kessler, Alex PriceAlex receives a call from Dr. Hirsch regarding David's disappearance.
Alex Price, Dr. HirschDavid steals balloons from a little boy to cover himself.
David KesslerDavid steals a coat from a park bench.
David KesslerThe little boy tells his mother about the balloon thief.
Dr. Hirsch reads about the murders in the newspaper.
Dr. HirschDavid waits for a bus wearing a stolen woman's coat.
David KesslerDavid returns to Alex's flat and confesses he woke up at the zoo.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDr. Hirsch makes a phone call.
Dr. HirschAlex speaks to Dr. Hirsch on the phone.
Alex Price, Dr. HirschAlex and David walk to find a taxi.
David Kessler, Alex PriceThe taxi driver mentions the recent murders, causing David to panic.
David Kessler, Alex PriceDavid tries to get arrested by a police officer.
David Kessler, Alex Price, Lt. VilliersDavid hides in an alley and cries.
David KesslerDr. Hirsch meets with police officers.
Alex Price, Dr. Hirsch, Lt. Villiers, Sgt. McManusDavid makes a phone call to his family in the US.
David KesslerHello? Rachel? Just say yes, you'll accept the charges. Just say yes, Rachel. Is Mom or Dad home? Where are they? Where's Max? You're all alone? Mom and Dad wouldn't leave me alone when I was ten. No, not ten and a half either. I'm still in London. I'm all better. Look, would you tell Mom and Dad that I love them? I don't care, Rachel, just do it for me. Okay? Good. And, Rachel, don't fight with Max. Well, try. Look, kid, please don't forget to tell Mom and Dad I love them. I love Max and you, too. Well, I do. No, I'm not being weird, you little creep. You promise? Okay. Be a good girl. I love you. Bye.
Sgt. McManus, are you suggesting that David and Jack were, in fact, attacked by some animal and that the officialdom of East Proctor has conspired to keep it a secret? We have an autopsy report on the murderer who was shot in the act by the local police. We have two witnesses to the crime. You'll forgive me, Mr. Kessler, if I consider your testimony as coming from someone who has gone through a terrible shock.
The canines will be real. You'll taste real blood! God damit, David, please believe me! You'll kill and make others like me! I'm not having a nice time, David! Don't allow this to happen again! You must take your own life!
Right. Now listen carefully. I want you to bring David here. I want him in my care. I'll notify the police that we've found him. It is imperative that you bring him straight to the hospital. Do you understand?
You've left my wife a widow and my children fatherless. And I understand that I am to walk the earth one of the living dead until the wolf's bloodline is severed and the curse lifted.
Thursday at eight, dinner with boring Roger. Yes, I'm sure I will; if I survived Rommel, I suppose I'll survive another excruciating evening with Roger Mathison. Be a good girl. Bye.
Well, even if I'm not the wolfman, I am crazy enough to do something like that. I mean, here I sit in Leicester Square talking to a corpse. I'm glad to see you, Jack.
Yes, operator. I'd like to call the United States and reverse the charges. David Kessler for anyone. Yes, I'll wait. Hello? Yes, area code 315/472-3402. Thank you.
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.