9 / 10. A true horror classic and influencer of many more…

Halloween is a cult American slasher film directed and scored by John Carpenter, released in 1978.

On Halloween night, 1963, in Haddonfield, Illinois, odd psychopathic six-year-old Michael Myers brutally stabs his older sister, Judith, with a kitchen knife whilst she was babysitting him. He is promptly incarcerated at a sanatorium. Fifteen years later, the day before Halloween, 1978, Michael escapes during the stormy night and his psychiatrist, Dr Loomis, fears the worst. He’s right to be concerned. Michael steals a car and drives back home to ‘surprise’ teenage babysitter, Laurie Strode, and her friends, with Dr Loomis in pursuit. Happy Halloween.

With the LONG awaited ‘proper’ sequel now out, it was time to revisit the cult original and the inspiration for many horror/slasher films that followed. When I first saw this film it terrified me, mainly down to the haunting score, and the slow, mute, malevolence of Michael Myers. It’s unnerving when the killer doesn’t chase, just skulks slowly and silently after their victims.

Halloween is a true horror classic, unlike some of the horrific fashion choices. Jamie Lee Curtis was fantastic in her first role on the way to becoming THE Scream Queen. Looking forward to her hopefully taking down Michael in the new sequel in a Linda Hamilton-esque bad-ass transformation…

Donald Pleasance’s theatrical performance as Dr Loomis is a joy and often unintentionally hilarious.

Doctor: “…He can’t even drive a car!” Dr Loomis: “He was doing very well last night!”

A well-informed psychopathy definition is provided at 38 minutes, and what looks like a Raggedly Ann doll – Annabelle doll - at 28 minutes. Inspired use of the fantastic ‘Don’t fear the Reaper’ by the Blue Oyster Cult in the car with Laurie and Annie pre mayhem.