Sneaking up from the backseat of my mom's car, I got my first look at that lifeless, emotionless mask. My mother and my aunt took me to the local drive-in to see Conan the Barbarian, which was being shown as a double feature with Halloween. I couldn't have been more than five years old, so I was supposed to lay down and go to sleep after Conan. Instead, I found myself instantly, and forever drawn to that iconic opening music. I can say that this film forever changed my life, and to this day, remains one of my favorites of all time.
On Halloween night 1963, young Michael Myers, dressed as a clown, butchers his sister for seemingly unknown reasons. For this, he is confined to the Smith's Grove Sanitarium and treated by Dr. Loomis, played by horror legend Donald Pleasence! Fifteen years later, Michael (Nick Castle) escapes and sets out to kill his niece, Laurie. The character of Laurie is played by, an introduces the world to, the beautiful, original scream queen, Jamie Lee Curtis.
After the horrific events of Halloween 1963, Laurie was put up for adoption and taken in by the Strodes. Ironically, the Strodes also live in Haddonfield, the town Michael lived in as a child. Michael returns to his home in a search for Laurie, and is willing to go through anyone to get to her. Classmates Annie (Nancy Kyes), and Lynda (P.J. Soles) serve as attractive fodder for the killing machine, both in very memorable death scenes.
Written and directed by the Master of Horror, John Carpenter, this film redefined the horror genre. Sadistic, relentless, and without emotion, this killer is on an unstoppable rampage. He kills without a sound, without warning, and without showing a drop of blood. That's right, not one scene that actually shows blood!
Carpenter also brilliantly uses his musical compositions to create suspense in ways I've never experienced since. A calming undertone, broken by deep, sharp piano keys as the killer rises from the dead, over and over in his quest to kill Laurie. The main theme music still brings cold chills to my skin to this day. The dark, monotone colors of the sets, behind the gray jump suit and plain white mask of "The Shape", as Michael is referred to in the script, lends to the erie ambiance of the night. The colors and shadows act as a camouflage to hide Michael and make it easier for him to attack.
Although Carpenter has delivered time and time again, this still stands out as his masterpiece. At least in my opinion. With the aid of his writing partner, Debra Hill, and rookie producer Moustapha Akkad, Carpenter's story has lasted and been expanded countless times. He has created the ultimate Boogeyman!
I love this film and think everyone should watch it. That being said, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under the age 14 as there is a lot of violence and a small amount of nudity. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have over the last 35 years.
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