Maybe not the first slasher movie, but still one of the best, and most influential.

Rating: Null/10 (3 February 2003)

I'll leave it to horror historians to debate what is the first real slasher movie as we know it. Many people give Mario Bava credit for inventing the genre with 'Bay Of Blood' (a.k.a. 'Twitch Of The Death Nerve'). Certainly the giallo genre as a whole must be mentioned that is a fact, but whether or not 'Halloween' was the first slasher movie it is undoubtedly one of the best, and definitely one of the most influential. John Carpenter was on one hell of a roll at this time, having made the amusing sci fi spoof 'Dark Star', and the underrated siege classic 'Assault On Precinct 13'. 'Halloween' is another goodie from Carpenter, a director who sadly seems to have his best work behind him. Like his previous two features Carpenter also composed the score, and his simple but effective music (influenced greatly I'd say by Goblin) really helps increase the tension. British horror favourite Donald Pleasence ('Fantastic Voyage') is given top billing as Dr Sam Loomis (a 'Psycho' in-joke), but the real star of the movie is Jamie Lee Curtis, in a breakout role that made her a much loved figure for horror buffs. Curtis' teenage pals, played by P.J. Soles ('Rock'n'Roll High School') and Nancy Loomis (who had a bit part in 'Assault On Precinct 13'), are also impressive, and the chemistry between them is convincing and realistic. Also keep an eye out for Charles Cyphers, an early Carpenter regular who unfortunately is little seen in movies these days. 'Halloween' is a very tight and creepy thriller full of atmosphere and suspense. Forget the many inferior sequels, and the dozens of crappy slasher movies that subsequently imitated it, it is still a brilliant horror movie that every fan should cherish. If for some strange reason you haven't seen this one, do so immediately!