As Halloween approaches, it’s time to get spooky. And with a movie called Halloween, there’s no better way to celebrate. The movie turns 45 years old this year, so let’s take a look into the classic slasher film.
What is the Halloween movie?
For those that haven’t seen it, or maybe need a refresher, Halloween is a 1978 independent slasher film. The plot centers around escapee mental patient, Michael Myers, who has escaped into fictional town Haddonfield, Illinois. After his crimes of murder, he now stalks young baby sitter Laurie Strode – but will she survive?
Halloween was directed by John Carpenter, who also directed The Thing (1982) and They Live (1988). It was co-written by producer Debra Hill and starred Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut.
Following the success, Halloween continued into a franchise of thirteen other additional films. While some films have deviated slightly from the main narrative, it has made the icon of Michael Myers incredibly memorable. Additionally there have been novels, video games and comics featuring Myers.
READ: HALLOWEEN KILLS: AN INVINCIBLE FRANCHISE
How Did Halloween Come To Be?
Carpenter himself was scouted by independent film makers Irwin Yablans and Moustapha Akkad to direct a film for them about a psychotic killer that stalked babysitters. They said they thought it would make sense in a horror setting. Carpenter agreed, and started to work alongside Debra Hill to make the movie. The name comes from the day that the film takes place on – Halloween. This was because no other films had taken place on the day for celebrating horror yet. To create the infamous Michael Myers, Carpenter took inspiration from folklore surrounding haunted houses.
The script took roughly ten days to write, and filming took place in Southern California in May 1978. Halloween originally had a low budget, meaning that the “big name” actors were harder to attract, as many actors received little compensation for their roles. Jamie Lee Curtis wasn’t the original intended actress to play Laurie, but when Carpenter learned that Jamie was the daughter of Psycho actress Janet Leigh, Carpenter knew that the role would fit. Many actors who declined the offer to be in Halloween, such as Christopher Lee, later said that it was one of the biggest mistakes made during their careers.
As the film had a lower budget that most, props were whatever was to hand. The iconic mask of Michael Myers was originally a Captain Kirk mask bought from a costume shop for $1.98 from a costume shop on Hollywood Boulevard. He painted it white, widened the eyes, and altered the hair to create the look.
What is the Future of the Franchise?
As said before, there is currently thirteen films in the Halloween franchise, with the most recent release being Halloween Ends in 2022. It is a sequel to the 2021 release, Halloween Kills. Carpenter has said that there was a possibility of future installments, but it depended on the success of Halloween Ends – though many individuals that have also participated in the franchise feels that the story ends there.
There has been mention however about the possibility of future, different plotlines. Some have said that future films may have a “new Laurie” to slightly divert the plotline of the original movie. There has also been talk of a new narrative and plotline being developed into other stories, but not ones that follow the original mythology. Actors such as Curtis have stated that their involvement with the franchise ends there, so the story is finished for them. Halloween Ends was also the last film in the franchise made under Bloomhouse Productions, making it the last of theirs as well.
What are your thoughts on the original Halloween movie? Does it still scare you? Or are you a bigger fan of some of the later productions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, along with any other additional trivia you may have on the films!
