A feature on an " An American Werewolf in London Deleted Scenes Repack
" centers on the legend of horror's most sought-after lost footage. While various high-definition releases—including the Arrow Video 4K UHD Limited Edition
—have restored technical elements like the original mono mix and improved color grading, much of the legendary deleted content remains missing or is only available in archival outtakes. The Legend of the "Lost" Dismemberment Scene
The most famous "lost" sequence involves a brutal attack on homeless men in London.
The Content: Director John Landis has frequently mentioned a scene where the werewolf graphically dismembers two tramps.
The Mystery: Despite Landis's claims, many crew members do not recall filming the sequence, leading to a long-standing "lost media" mystery. No visual or audio records of this specific scene have ever been officially released.
Why It Was Cut: It was reportedly removed before the final release because it distracted from other vital parts of the film, similar to the famous "Spider Pit" scene in the original King Kong. Confirmed Deleted Scenes and Rare Versions
While the "tramp scene" is lost, other edits and rare versions of the film exist:
The Unrated Cut: An exceptionally rare version exists with additional blood and gore, though it still lacks the mythical tramp attack. an american werewolf in london deleted scenes repack
Jack’s Toast Scene: Footage showing food falling out of Jack's decaying mouth while he eats toast was cut to maintain an "R" rating in the U.S..
The Phone Call Error: A mastering error on the Region 2 "2-Disc Special Edition" DVD accidentally removed the scene where David calls home to speak to his sister before attempting suicide. This scene is restored on all Blu-ray and 4K releases.
Toned-Down Romance: The love scene between David and Alex was shortened for theatrical release to comply with rating standards. Archival "Outtakes" and Modern Restoration For fans looking for a "repack" experience, the Arrow Video 4K UHD (2022/2026) is the most comprehensive version:
Outtakes and BTS: Includes Rick Baker’s workshop footage ("Casting of the Hand") and standard outtakes, though these are typically behind-the-scenes goofs rather than full narrative scenes.
Unused Music: Composer Elmer Bernstein recorded a three-minute track for the transformation scene titled "Metamorphosis" that Landis ultimately rejected in favor of "Blue Moon." This track has been released separately.
Restored Audio: The 4K release corrected a long-standing "pitch error" found in previous 5.1 surround sound remixes, finally delivering the audio as intended alongside the original mono track. An American Werewolf in London (1981 uncut version)
While a physical "repack" product containing all of these scenes does not officially exist on a single retail disc, the history of An American Werewolf in London
is defined by "lost" footage that was cut to avoid an X-rating or due to negative test screenings. The "Lost" Tramp Attack The most legendary deleted sequence involves the death of three homeless men (tramps) in a London park. The Content: A feature on an " An American Werewolf
Described by director John Landis as "extremely graphic," the scene featured the werewolf brutally dismembering the men. Why it was cut:
During a test screening, the audience reacted so poorly to the sheer violence that Landis removed it entirely. Current Status: Most film historians believe this footage is lost or destroyed
, as it has never appeared on any official DVD or Blu-ray release, including the recent 4K restoration from Arrow Video Minor Gore and Character Beats
Several smaller moments were trimmed to satisfy the MPAA and international censors: Jack’s Toast:
A famously missing moment featured the undead Jack Goodman (Griffin Dunne) attempting to eat toast, only for the food to fall out of his mangled, open throat. The Tube Victim’s Thumb:
A rumored shot during the Piccadilly Circus chaos showed David (in human form) spitting out the severed thumb of the man he killed in the subway. Extended Sex Scene:
The romantic sequence between David and Nurse Alex Price was originally longer and more explicit before being "toned down" for the theatrical R-rating. The "Happy Together" Alternate:
For a brief period, a Detroit TV station aired a version where the love scene featured "Happy Together" by The Turtles The Holy Grails That Remain Lost It is
instead of Van Morrison's "Moondance" due to licensing issues. The Bernstein Score Experiment
A unique "repack" of information recently surfaced regarding the transformation scene
. While the film uses Sam Cooke's "Blue Moon," composer Elmer Bernstein originally recorded a much darker, traditional horror score for the sequence. Restoration: In 2023, enthusiasts and editors reconstructed the scene
using the rejected Bernstein track, completely shifting the tone from tragic/absurd to pure horror. Where to find existing "Extra" Material
If you are looking for the most complete "repack" of behind-the-scenes content, the Arrow Video Limited Edition 4K is the current gold standard. It includes:
It is crucial to manage expectations. Even the best "repack" cannot restore scenes that no longer exist in a viewable format. John Landis has confirmed several scenes that were filmed but are likely lost forever (or exist only as script pages):
The most common extra footage comes from the pair’s arrival at the sinister pub, The Slaughtered Lamb. In the theatrical cut, the tension is immediate. In the extended versions found in repacks, the pacing is allowed to breathe. You often find extended dialogue between Jack (Griffin Dunne) and David (David Naughton) and the unwelcoming locals. There are extra beats of humor—Jack trying to smooth things over with his awkward American charm—which makes the sudden turn to violence even more jarring. It highlights a recurring theme of the film: bad things happen because people are in the wrong place at the wrong time, often due to simple social misunderstandings.
Before we sink our teeth into the werewolf lore, we must define the term. In digital film collecting, a "repack" is not an official studio re-issue. Instead, it is a community-driven or third-party restoration project. A repack takes existing source material—laserdisc extras, VHS workprints, DVD deleted scenes, or HD TV broadcasts—and "repackages" them into a single, high-quality digital file.
The An American Werewolf in London Deleted Scenes Repack typically refers to a 1080p or 4K-grade file that splices the deleted footage back into the narrative flow of the film. Unlike the "special features" menu on a Blu-ray, which forces you to watch grainy, time-coded scenes in isolation, a repack integrates the footage seamlessly. It is the cinematic equivalent of an archaeological dig site, presenting the Ur-text of Landis’s vision.