Halloween (1978)

Halloween was created in 1978 and written and directed by John Carpenter. The film was created on an extremely low budget but did very well in the box office. It was one of the first films in the Horror sub genre of “slasher” films that would become popular from here on. Although it is classified as a “slasher” film, it has many unique qualities that are hardly seen in today’s horror movies. The films plot is very simple, which is common place for most horror movies. A young boy named Michael Myers kills his older sister and is sent away to a mental institute. After fifteen years, Michael escapes the Asylum and returns to his home town and in the process begins to kill teenagers on Halloween.

Although the film’s plot is simple, it is how the film is shot that makes this movie a horror masterpiece.  Carpenter does a good job at keeping the audience in suspense. One way he does this is by using the camera to give the viewer Michael Myers perspective when he is stalking his next victim. Michael Myers wears a mask and when the camera shot is supposed to be his point of view you can hear Michael’s heavy breathing as he watches his victims. This puts the viewer in the body of a serial killer. Another way the film suspense is utilized is by creating tension in the viewer. Carpenter uses quick edits to make the audience jump in fear.  In one scene Michael Myers hides in a closet and unexpectedly jumps out and kills a male character. Leading up to this scene we see Michael watching from outside the house and then surprisingly is inside and then murders. The score of the film also creates a lot of suspense and tension.  It is a simple piano key played over and over with some synth mixed in that creates an eerie feel to the movie. Carpenter does a good job paying homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.

For such a small budget movie, the acting is really top notch. The only seasoned actor involved in the film who is somewhat known is Donald Pleasance. The veteran actor does a really good job playing Michael Myers former psychiatrist who tries hard tracking Michael down and stopping him from killing. The movie was also Jamie Lee Curtis’ first movie in which she does a good job playing the studious main teenager in the town who is stalked by Michael. The other actors in the movie are decent but some of the other teenage actors in the movies acting leave a lot to be desired in the acting department.

Halloween is one of the best horror movies ever made. Its influence in the horror movie genre is still felt today which shows how great it is. Even though the film was made in the late 1970’s it holds up really well to today’s standards. Young horror fans and even non horror fans can appreciate the film.