Friday the 13th (1980)

A group of camp counselors is stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp which, years before, was the site of a child's drowning.

Director:

Sean S. Cunningham

Writers:

Victor Miller, Sean S. Cunningham (story)

Stars:

Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Jeannine Taylor

5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Betsy Palmer	...	Mrs. Voorhees
Adrienne King	...	Alice
Jeannine Taylor	...	Marcie
Robbi Morgan	...	Annie
Kevin Bacon	...	Jack
Harry Crosby	...	Bill
Laurie Bartram	...	Brenda
Mark Nelson	...	Ned
Peter Brouwer	...	Steve Christy
Rex Everhart	...	The Truck Driver
Ronn Carroll	...	Sgt. Tierney
Ron Millkie	...	Officer Dorf
Walt Gorney	...	Crazy Ralph
Willie Adams	...	Barry
Debra S. Hayes	...	Claudette

Storyline

One summer at Camp Crystal Lake, a group of young counselors begin to get ready to lead campers. Unfortunately for the former, someone isn't happy about what's going on in the camp and enjoys playing kill the counselor. As bodies fall to the ground in the camp, no one is safe.

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Plot Keywords:

jason voorhees | lake | revenge | summer | killer | 

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Taglines:

Kill...Kill...Kill...Uncut (Deluxe Edition DVD)

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

X

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 May 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Long Night at Camp Blood

Filming Locations:

New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$550,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$37,465,200 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Georgetown Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dorothy Malone was considered for the role of Mrs. Voorhees.

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Goofs

When Alice is making coffee she leaves the lid the to coffee tilted and undone. When she returns to the kitchen the lid is secure again.

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Quotes

Marcie: [to Jack] You are so fine.

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Crazy Credits

We see giant letters proclaiming 'Friday the 13th' moving towards the screen and crashing into and smashing a pane of glass.

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Connections

Referenced in Ida, Be Thy Name: The Frightful Females of Fear (2013)

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Soundtracks

Sail Away, Tiny Sparrow
Performed by Angela Rotella
Written by Harry Manfredini and John R. Briggs (uncredited)

User Reviews

The start of a new generation in horror film-making!

Friday the 13th (1980) kicked started the early 80's slasher film phenomenon that was ignited by Halloween (1978) but fueled intensely by this reworking of the Mario Bava classic "Twitch of the Death Nerve". Once Friday the 13th was released, there was no turning back. The slasher film was part of the American horror film genre and it would remain that way for years to come. A film that launched countless knock-offs, wannabes, sequels and a t.v. series?! Camp Crystal Lake and the Friday the 13th film franchise are a part of Americana. The film is merely a stage for the splatter effects of F/X maestro Tom Savini. They were later toned down for it's American release and were softened even further during it's video release.

The movie itself isn't that great. Technically it's boring. To get the most out of the film you have to watch it uncut. Friday the 13th was designed around Savini's gory set pieces. Watching them with out it is like drinking a mayonnaise soda. I encourage you to seek out the uncut version of this film. Recommended.

A (uncut)

D (American version)