Halloween (1978)

A psychotic murderer institutionalized since childhood for the murder of his sister, escapes and stalks a bookish teenage girl and her friends while his doctor chases him through the streets.

Director:

John Carpenter

Writers:

John Carpenter (screenplay), Debra Hill (screenplay)

Stars:

Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Nancy Kyes

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Sam Loomis
Jamie Lee Curtis	...	Laurie Strode
Nancy Kyes	...	Annie Brackett (as Nancy Loomis)
P.J. Soles	...	Lynda van der Klok
Charles Cyphers	...	Sheriff Leigh Brackett
Kyle Richards	...	Lindsey Wallace
Brian Andrews	...	Tommy Doyle
John Michael Graham	...	Bob Simms
Nancy Stephens	...	Marion Chambers
Arthur Malet	...	Graveyard Keeper
Mickey Yablans	...	Richie
Brent Le Page	...	Lonnie Elamb
Adam Hollander	...	Keith
Robert Phalen	...	Dr. Terence Wynn
Tony Moran	...	Michael Myers (age 23)

Storyline

The year is 1963, the night: Halloween. Police are called to 43 Lampkin Ln. only to discover that 15 year old Judith Myers has been stabbed to death, by her 6 year-old brother, Michael. After being institutionalized for 15 years, Myers breaks out on the night before Halloween. No one knows, nor wants to find out, what will happen on October 31st 1978 besides Myers' psychiatrist, Dr. Loomis. He knows Michael is coming back to Haddonfield, but by the time the town realizes it, it'll be too late for many people.

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Plot Keywords:

halloween | night | michael myers | death | knife | 

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Taglines:

HE came home for HALLOWEEN.

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Genres:

Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

JohnCarpenter - movie site Trancas International Films

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

John Carpenter's Halloween

Filming Locations:

1000 Mission Street, South Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$325,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$47,000,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Compass International Pictures, Falcon International Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 101 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On the 25th anniversary disc, John Carpenter states that the original title sequence was to show a long shot of a sidewalk ending with a Halloween mask on the floor. The idea was dropped and the more iconic title sequence of the Jack O'Lantern was used.

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Goofs

The movie is set in Illinois, but when Tommy and Laurie are going to school, the trees in the background are California palms.

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Quotes

Mr. Peter Myers: Michael?
[Mr. Peter Myers takes off the clown mask]

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Crazy Credits

"Michael Myers, 23" is in the credits, yet Dr. Loomis says he's 21.

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Connections

Referenced in The Burning (1981)

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Soundtracks

"Don't Fear The Reaper"
Blue Öyster Cult
Courtesy C.B.S. Records

User Reviews

Outstanding

Halloween(1978)stars a very young Jamie Lee Curtis, the late Donald Pleasance, and, among others, P.J. Soles(the cap-brat from Carrie). The story centers around the demented/catatonic-schizophrenic Michael Myers and the brutal, cold-blooded murder of his oldest sister in 1963(done by him). Now it is fifteen years later and Michael has escaped the sanitarium and is headed for Haddonfield, Illinois, home of Laurie Strode(Curtis), his sister who was adopted shortly after the 1963 murder. Laurie has no idea about her past and wanders around with her friends, seemingly free of worry, and unaware that her every step is under careful watch from hiding eyes.

In the long run I am at a loss for words. Everything is here. And it's even terrifying...and a slasher movie, what a combination. Slasher movies, to me, usually aren't scary. But Halloween is. Seriously, if you haven't seen it yet you are really missing out. It's a rare achievement in film history and is one of the best horror movies ever made. It's a perfect 10/10 all the way!!!