From The Golden Era of Horror Films

Rating: Null/10 (20 November 2000)

Halloween(1978) features a great POV shot at the beginning that's worthy of Argento. The next comments are a summary of the opening murder scene. Opens in the year 1963 with an overview of a house. The camera peeks near a window to watch a couple kissing(with the girl wondering where her brother is) who then going upstairs to make love. The camera moves to the front of the house to look at an upper window(a light goes off).

The person who the camera represents moves to the side of the house and into the kitchen. A hand turns on the kitchen lights and reaches inside a drawer for a knife. The person waits until the young girl's boyfriend leaves the house and then goes upstairs. The camera glides upstairs, picks up a mask of a clown, and heads for the young woman's room. The person proceeds to stab the young woman to death and after the murder, the person is revealed to be the brother of the young woman.

Halloween's main reference is Psycho(1960). The main actress is played by Janet Leigh's daughter's Jamie Lee Curtis. Donald Pleasence's character is named after a major figure in Psycho(1960). The murder of Judith Myers is a reworking of the shower scene in Psycho(1960). Halloween and Psycho have nothing in common story wise with the exception of the horror element in the shower sequence.

Halloween(1978) is closer to Deep Red(1975) in style and tone. Halloween was influenced by the pictures of Dario Argento and Mario Bava. John Carpenter has acknowledged that Halloween was done as a homage to Dario Argento's Profondo Rosso(1975). He even was influenced by the Goblin soundtrack. The haunted Myers house is inspired by "the house of the screaming child" in Deep Red(1975).

Another film that Halloween's origin lie in is Bob Clark's pre slasher pic, Black Christmas(1974). The two films take place on a national holiday. The two films have an opening ending. Black Christmas(1974) has a killer that's elusive and unknown. Black Christmas contains set pieces that would influence Halloween.

Halloween(1978) introduced a scary villain in Michael Myers. Michael Myers as with the punks from Assault on Preceint 13 is a faceless killer that shows no remorse. The mask that he wears is a way for him to not deal with the basic human emotions that make people good. The unmasking of Michael Myers reveals someone who is human and scared while having the same expression after being unmasked at the end of the opening murder scene. Michael Myers would create a number of almost scariless murderers in many teen horror flicks.

Nick Castle as The Shape is menacing and scary. Seeing a six year old boy kill someone must have been shocking to audiences during the time it was released. This is something that many studios today would not show or even suggest. The idea of a six year old boy as a murderer is the most daring aspect of the movie. Has very little blood and more suspense compared to the sequels.

Its John Carpenter's most accomplished work and his most popular film. Halloween is also the director's best film. Other terrific movies by John Carpenter are Assault on Preceint 13(1976), The Fog(1980), Escape from New York(1981), and The Thing(1982). Laurie Strode is named after the director's first girlfriend. Dean Cundey's cinematography is one of the top reasons to see Halloween(1978).

John Carpenter's direction is first class. One of the few slasher pics that I really enjoy to watch. The acting is very good compared to other slasher films of that period. Jamie Lee Curtis brings intellegence and strength to her role of the heroine. The long camera shot at the beginning of Halloween is influenced by the opening Crane shot of Touch of Evil(1958).

The mask worn by Michael Myers is a William Shatner mask from the film, The Devil's Rain. Donald Pleasence was the third choice behind Chris Lee and Peter Cushing for the role of Dr. Loomis. Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing would have been perfect choices for Dr. Loomis had they choose to star in Halloween(1978). Donald Pleasence lends his experience among a cast of unknowns. Halloween(1978) is a great horror film that was part of the last creative era in horror features.