Piccadilly Circus Howls in as No. 1 London Location on Film!
The setting for the thrilling climactic scene of John Landis’ 1981 horror comedy An American Werewolf in London is named the favourite London scene in the history of film.
Have you ever wondered what the most iconic London location used in film was? Apollo cinemas did, so decided to hold a poll to answer their question. London is such an iconic city, with numerous landmarks that are known throughout the world. The deserted Westminster Bridge that Cillian Murphy walks across in 28 Days Later immediately comes to mind. One cant help but think of Big Ben and the heart-stopping scene in The 39 Steps when Richard Hanney hands from the clock face. Is there a more quintessentially British film than Mary Poppins? The scene where she feeds the birds at St Pauls is iconic, as is Hugh Grants randy prime minister dancing around 10 Downing Street. Yet despite these four locations fairing very well, they were all beaten out by Piccadilly Circus, which was the setting for the thrilling climactic scene of John Landis 1981 horror comedy An American Werewolf in London which howled in as the favourite of film fans. The film tells the story of two American backpackers - played by David Naughton and Griffin Dunne who while traveling around the British countryside are attacked by a werewolf. Dunne is killed while Naughton is infected with the werewolf gene and transforms into the beast at a full moon. The scene that was voted by a poll of Apollo cinemagoers sees Naughton transforming into a werewolf while at a cinema in the West end with his girlfriend, played by Jenny Agutter. After trashing the cinema he escapes and runs amuck of Piccadilly Circus before being cornered by the police. Its a gripping, heart-racing finale that ends in a bloody and sad finale. 
Directed by the man who brought Michael Jacksons vision for Thriller to life in arguably the most famous music video of all time, this film re-imagined the werewolf mythology and revolutionised the way a man transforms into a wolf. And thirty years after thrilling audiences for the first time, this iconic film has clearly maintained its popularity and appeal amongst film audiences. And what better place to hold the screening to celebrate the films enduring popularity than at the Apollos flagship cinema, which is at none other than Piccadilly Circus! This Saturday night, Paul Davis - the documentary filmmaker responsible for Beware The Moon, the documentary that will satisfy your every craving for knowledge about An American Werewolf in London, if not your cravings for blood and human flesh will be presenting a special screening of American Werewolf in London. But if you suffer from cravings for blood and human flesh, dont fear, its nothing that a silver bullet cant solve. 