The hunt for "lost" or "deleted" scenes from An American Werewolf in London
(1981) remains a significant obsession for horror enthusiasts, often referred to in online communities as a quest for the "repacked" or "unrated" footage that director John Landis was forced to cut. The Infamous "Tramps in the Junkyard" Scene
The most substantial piece of lost media from the film is the sequence where the transformed David attacks and kills three homeless men in a junkyard.
The Content: In the final theatrical release, the film cuts directly from the werewolf prowling the zoo to David waking up naked in the wolf cage. The original sequence reportedly showed the brutal deaths of the three men who later appear as ghosts in the adult cinema.
The Removal: Landis cut the scene after a negative reaction from a test audience. Much like the legendary "Spider Pit" scene from 1933's King Kong, the violence was deemed too distracting from the film's narrative flow.
Status: Despite rumors of a "repack" or vault copy, Landis has stated that he believes no footage of this scene remains and it is unlikely to ever be recovered. MPAA and International Edits
Beyond the junkyard scene, several smaller cuts were made to secure an R-rating in the U.S. or to comply with international standards.
Jack’s Toast: A famously gruesome shot where food falls out of a gaping wound in undead Jack's throat while he is eating toast was removed for being "too much". an american werewolf in london deleted scenes repack
The Phone Call: In some international and early DVD versions, a scene where David calls his sister to say goodbye before attempting suicide was accidentally omitted due to mastering errors. This was later restored in most "Special Edition" and Blu-ray releases.
The Sex Scene: The intimate scene between David and Alex was originally longer and more graphic, featuring additional nudity that was trimmed to satisfy censors. Modern Restoration and "Uncut" Claims
While fans often search for an "Unrated Repack," most high-definition releases, such as the Arrow Video Blu-ray/4K, are as complete as the surviving negative allows. These versions restore the original mono sound mix and include previously cut elements like the phone call, but they still lack the "lost" junkyard footage, which remains the film's holy grail. An American Werewolf in London (1981 uncut version)
The 1981 John Landis classic "An American Werewolf in London" remains the gold standard for horror-comedy. While the theatrical cut is nearly perfect, fans have spent decades hunting for the legendary "lost" footage that was trimmed to avoid an X rating or to tighten the pacing. A "Deleted Scenes Repack" refers to the various ways this cut footage has been collected, restored, and distributed across different home media releases. The Holy Grail: The "Missing" Transformation Footage
The centerpiece of any American Werewolf repack is the additional practical effects work by Rick Baker. While the subway transformation is iconic, Landis originally filmed more visceral shots of David’s body breaking and reforming. Extended shots of David’s teeth falling out. More detailed close-ups of hair erupting through skin.
Brief flashes of "mid-transformation" makeup that were deemed too gruesome for 1981 audiences. The Infamous "Muledump" and Deleted Dialogue
Beyond the gore, several character-building scenes were left on the cutting room floor. These are often the highlights of modern fan repacks. The hunt for "lost" or "deleted" scenes from
The Jack and David Banter: Additional dialogue between the two friends as they walk the moors, further establishing their bond before the attack.
The Hospital Dreams: Extra surreal imagery from David's nightmare sequences, including more "Nazi Demon" footage that didn't make the final edit.
The Pawn Shop Scene: A brief moment involving David attempting to find clothes or help after his first night as a wolf. Evolution of the Repacks
Over the years, the way fans access these scenes has changed significantly.
The 20th Anniversary DVD: The first major "repack" that brought grainy, non-restored deleted scenes to a wide audience.
The Full Moon High-Def Era: Blu-ray releases began offering "restored" versions of these scenes, though most were presented as standalone clips rather than integrated into the film.
The Arrow Video Limited Edition: This is widely considered the ultimate repack. It features the highest bitrate transfers of the surviving outtakes and comprehensive documentaries explaining why each cut was made. Why a "Director's Cut" Doesn't Exist How to Legally Support An American Werewolf in
Despite the demand for a repack that integrates these scenes back into the movie, John Landis has famously resisted a "Director's Cut." He maintains that the theatrical version is his preferred vision. Consequently, "repacks" remain a collection of bonus features rather than a new edit of the film itself.
💡 Key Takeaway: If you are looking for the most complete collection of deleted material, the Arrow Video 4K/Blu-ray release is the definitive version currently available.
While the An American Werewolf in London Deleted Scenes Repack is not for sale, you should still support the official release. Purchase the Arrow Video 4K UHD (Region Free), which contains the best official transfer and the original deleted scenes as special features. Then, watch the repack as a "supplemental study guide."
It is important to state clearly: The An American Werewolf in London Deleted Scenes Repack is not an official product available on Amazon or in Best Buy. It exists in the grey market of private trackers, MySpleen, and fan-edit forums.
Universal Pictures has not authorized these repacks. John Landis, in a 2019 interview, stated: “The studio cut those scenes for a reason. They slowed down the picture. I’ve made my peace with the theatrical cut.”
However, preservationists argue that studio logic from 1981 is irrelevant in the 2020s. With the death of physical media and the rise of streaming (where only the theatrical cut is available), the An American Werewolf in London Deleted Scenes Repack serves as the only way to experience Landis’s raw, unfiltered horror vision. It is a time capsule of a more brutal, experimental era of cinema.