
John Carpenter unleashed him onto the world on October 31, 1978. A monster of a man with no human emotion. No regard for human life. And no fear. For over three decades he has hid behind his signature white mask and hollow eyes. He is the bogeyman. They man we fear entering our house while we sleep. The stealth movements, powerful strength and unconsciousable actions make Michael Myers one of horror movies’ greatest icons and makes Halloween a standard tradition every October 31st.
Written by Carpenter and Debra Hill, Halloween is one of horrors greatest franchises. Carried by its signature villian, the original movie is a testament to the horror movie making of the 1970’s. A period revolutionized by up and coming directors, the original Halloween created a new image to our worst nightmares.
The 1970’s started with shocking horror films such as the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tobe Hooper) and Last House on the Left (Wes Craven). Both of these films drew incredible critiscm for their starch realism and brutality. For two young movie directors it was merely a step through a door opened by George Romero, but to the world it meant a new twist to the always popular horror genre.
But despite the critisim and the attention focused on many of the dark movies and writings of the 70’s, nothing struck fear more than Halloween.
John Carpenter was fresh off his first film Assault on Precinct 13, when he was asked to co-write and direct Halloween. Carpenter was paid $10,000 to write, direct and compose the music to film. The project had a small budget, with soon-to-be star acctress Jamie Lee Curtis (who played Laurie Strode) to wear mostly her own clothes for the filming.
What sets this movie apart from all others is it’s proximity to our own lives. The Last House on the Left involved a criminal inner city rapists and killers, while the Texas Chainsaw Massacre focused on insanity and cannibalism of rural America. But most movie-goers happen to be suburban people who live in the suburbs to escape the violence of the cities and want to live in close knit, safe communities. And that is what Haddonfield is.
Each shot in the movie is delicately made, capturing the essence of that safe feel of the suburban community. Trick ‘r’ treaters, high school drama, the almighty chief of police. Everything is framed right, even the encrouching Myers stalking Laurie in a car or on foot. Hieghtening the tension and suspense.
And then babysitting.
It is a familiar job for many high school girls, expecially in the 70’s. It was innocent and safe. Then Michael Myers came to town.
It is pointless to drabble on about the plot of this movie. We all know what happens. But what ultimatly makes Halloween so horrifying is the score. The simple piano mellody by Carpenter has become synomous with the movie and our fears of a stalking killer. The dark, ominous tones played throughout the film coupled with those tense silent moments where the music stops and silence engulfs you as you watch. It is a musical masterpiece in horror and no film before or since has come close to matching its intensity and fear.
Despite how you feel, Halloween will continue to remain a timeless masterpiece, unable to be remade even twenty years from now. Rob Zombie tried and failed, just like others will in the future.
Michael Myers is the bogeyman.
Michael Myers is Halloween.

October 30, 2009
Categories: halloween movies, horror, movies, news, reviews . Tags: 1978, debra hill, Halloween, horror, jamie lee curtis, John Carpenter, last house on the left, Michael Myers, movies, reviews, texas chainsaw massacre, tobe hooper, tribute, wes craven . Author: Dan Cappello . Comments: Leave a Comment