Halloween
John Carpenter's 1978 horror masterpiece begins on October 31, 1963, with little Michael Myers brutally butchering his sister Judith to death after she makes love with boyfriend. Michael is then sent to Smiths Grove Sanitarium, where he stays for fifteen years. On October 30, 1978, while Michael's psychiatrist Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) and Nurse Marion Chambers (Nancy Stephens), they discover many inmates wandering out in the stormy night. It is has all been caused by Michael, who broke out and freed many patients. Michael then steals the station wagon that the two are traveling in and continues to Haddonfield, Illinois, where his carnage occurred fifteen years ago. Dr. Loomis knows this, and instantly goes on pursuit of him before he strikes again.
As Michael insues his night of terror on Halloween, he stalks Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis in her feature film debut) and her two friends, Lynda (P.J. Soles) and Annie (Nancy Loomis). While Laurie is babysitting across the street from Annie, she knows something is wrong. What happens next is a series of shocking events which lead to the film's terrifying conclusion. Dr. Loomis and Laurie are the only ones who can stop him.
Originally titled The Babysitter Murders, this is my favorite horror film ever made, and no film will ever be better. John Carpenter and Debra Hill sure knew how to deliver all of the thrills and chills which set a standard for slasher movies which followed, many being blatant rip-offs. Jamie Lee Curtis went on to become the reigning scream queen, starring in such scarefests as The Fog, Terror Train, Prom Night, Halloween 2, and Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later. Footage was filmed during Halloween 2, in order to be able to show it on national television. Back in 1976, a film with many similarities was released, entitled Black Christmas (a.k.a. Stranger in the House and Silent Night, Evil Night. The point-of-view of the killer is used, as well as the holiday theme and heavy breathing. Bob Clark and John Carpenter were actually to make a sequel titled Halloween. This was followed by many sequels. If you haven't seen this one yet, please do!
