A soulless killer, Michael Myers, escapes from the asylum and returns to the Illinois town where he murdered his sister 15 years earlier to wreak havoc on Halloween night. Donald Pleasence is on hand as Myers' seriously concerned doctor.John Carpenter's "Halloween" (1978) is hailed as the progenitor and blueprint for the slasher craze of the 80s with staples like the unstoppable masked killer, fake scares, the final girl and the undead dead. Of course, "Halloween" was influenced by earlier slashers or quasi-slashers, like "Psycho" (1960), "Dementia 13" (1963), "A Bay of Blood" (1971) "Torso (1973), "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974) and "Black Christmas" (1974). "Friday the 13th" (1980) and its sequels took the "Halloween" template and added other elements, like the summer camp setting and an devolving supernatural killer.Whilst I prefer the "Friday" films, "Halloween" has more class than many slashers that followed, like the unimaginatively blunt "The Slumber Party Massacre" (1982). It also keeps the proceedings deadly serious unlike ones that added humor and campiness, such as "Friday the 13th Part 3" (1982). The film establishes some quality atmosphere with the raining sanitarium escape and the Halloween night sequences. The creepy ambiance is helped by the moody score composed and performed by Carpenter.Although the story takes place in a fictional Illinois town, the film was shot in the Los Angeles area (South Pasadena and Hollywood, etc.), which is okay since the neighborhood scenes could be Anytown, USA. What's NOT okay is how the trees clearly reveal that it's not late October.Other problems include a tedious lack of drive and some weak dialogue, like the girls' conversation walking home from school, which doesn't ring true. Speaking of the girls, they're decent, but not nearly as good as the "Friday" films. Nancy Kyes (Loomis) is arguably the best as Annie, followed by Jamie Lee Curtis as the main protagonist (whose mother, Janet, starred in "Psycho"). Flighty, but likable PJ Soles is also on hand. Another dubious part is the doctor hiding in the bushes by the abandoned Myers' abode speaking portentously.I appreciate "Halloween" because it's classy, atmospheric and it's a superb pick for the fall season; it also holds an eminent place in horror history. But, in light of the above flaws, it's a tad overrated by gushing fans.GRADE: B

Of course EVERYONE knows John Carpenters HALLOWEEN is an absolute CLASSIC Horror/slasher/ Thriller so no need to talk about the plot or story everyone already knows. This was one of the first Horror movies i ever saw when i was way too young to really watch it lol but hey i loved it & watched it on t.v every time it was on at Halloween!!! Also had it on video & watched it loads but also i loved The Fog as much & remember both being played alot in my house by my mum so got know the music & atmosphere & the same with the excellent Halloween 3:season of the witch another one i grew up with & loved the creepy music & atmosphere & like The Fog it introduced me to the legend TOM ATKINS!!! love those movies. I think the fog is a horror CLASSIC too it's just as good well actually i like more but both absolute CLASSIC films!!! Halloween also introduced me to the excellent Jamie lee curtis & Donald Pleasance!!! Yes Halloween was a great introduction to Horror & one that is so rewatchable. A nostalgic CLASSIC & still one the greatest films ever MADE. The Halloween franchise is a mess, the only good films are of course the original classic,the underrated Halloween 3:season of the witch,the fun Halloween 4:The return of Michael Myers,the excellent Halloween H20 & Rob zombies Reboot & sequel are both excellent films

John Carpenter leaves a sense of unpredictability. Beautifully shot and with a very minminal use of gore; this is a classic tale of horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the movie.

Maybe this was scary in those years, although I do not believe people have evolved so much in intelligence in such a short time .... Im really disapointed in whole movie and i can not belive that this is a so good graded horror movie. Total waste of time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is a horor if you watch it on lage amounts of LSD or something like that tied up to a sofa with no possibillity of turning the tv off