4 - Halloween (1978)

Director: John Carpenter
Writer:    Debra Hill
               John Carpenter
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis
               Donald Pleasence
               Nancy Kyes
               P.J. Soles
               Charles Cyphers
Rating:    *****

John Carpenter's cult horror film always holds a special place in my heart, because for me it is the first and possibly best slasher film around.

Michael Myers is quite possibly one of the scariest killers in horror film history. His cold, expressionless mask and eerie presence always made him truly frightening and even now I feel uncomfortable looking at him. Also, what is quite amazing, is that after a whole host of good (and awful) sequel's, he is still as frightening as when he first debuted, back when he was only known as The Shape.

The film centres around Laurie Strode (Curtis) and the town she lives in, Haddonfield, a town that has a dark and terrifying history. Years before on Halloween, when Laurie was a baby, a young boy known as Michael lost his mind and took the kitchen knife from his house and kills his older sister leaving his family in tatters. He is sent to a Insane Asylum and left under care of Dr Loomis (Pleasence), then 15 years later he escapes and makes his way back to Haddonfield, and Dr Loomis has to go on a chase to catch him, before he strikes.

What I loved about the film was the way it built up, the way Laurie would see Michael watching her and her friends. It was haunting how he stood and stared and clearly had some sort of fascination with her, and was always watching. It wasn't an in your face 'BOO' type of scare, but an uneasy feeling that left you on the edge of your seat. Then after brutally murdering her friends Annie and Lynda (Kyes & Soles), the horror really kicks in. It's Halloween (Scary), Laurie is alone and babysitting children (Scarier), and there are no adult anywhere close by (Terror), so of course Michael strikes. it all results in one of the best chase scenes in horror film and literally leaves you reeling, and after the dramatic final showdown, and one last twist, you are literally left wanting more.

The direction by Carpenter is superb, and his ability to build tension and scare the bejeezus out of you is astounding. Plus, his score is superb, those few notes are so eerie and are quite possibly one of the most famous pieces of music from a horror film. The acting is superb, and for her first film role, Curtis truly shines and of course this paved the way for her illustrious Hollywood career.

This is one of the best horror films out there, and if you haven't seen it you need to, (and I mean the original, not the 2007 Rob Zombie version...). Do you agree with it's position on my list, let me know below in the comments.

Halloween (1978) - Trailer