Brought to us by the legendary John Carpenter who directed the movie and wrote the script along with Debra Hill. Halloween is one of the most important horror/slasher movies of all time! I have already looked at Jason in the Friday the 13th movies and Freddy in A Nightmare on Elm Street series and now it is time to look at another “boogieman” in Michael Myers.
How to Download Halloween (1978)
Halloween was released on October 25, 1978. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. Check out also our reviews of the newer Halloween series: Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills (2021) and Halloween Ends (2022).
The Movie Review
My Personal History with Halloween
I have a strange history with Halloween, you see as a kid, I actually saw Halloween III first, the one that does not have Michael Myers in it! Also, when rating the iconic slasher/horror movie characters, my order is Freddy, Jason, and then Michael. Hey, I still enjoy many of the Halloween movies and think that Michael Myers is freaking cool. However, he never clicked with me the same way that Freddy and Jason did and I like those two better. I certainly would not argue with someone who said Michael was their favorite.
The Timeless Plot of Halloween
The story of Halloween is just timeless. Set in the late 70s in Haddonfield, little Michael Myers kills his teenage sister and is locked up in a mental institution for the next 15 years. Halloween gets going right away and the movie never really takes its foot off the gas too long.
The movie then jumps ahead. As we fast forward 15 years and Michael Myers is still locked up and psychiatrist, Dr. Samuel Loomis is convinced that Michael is the very essence of evil. You know, I would argue that Donald Pleasance as Loomis is right up there with Laurie Strode and Michael Myers when it comes to the importance of the first two Halloween movies.
Michael Myers Escapes
Due to some very poor security, Michael manages to escape from the mental institution, and after gaining his iconic overalls and William Shatner mask costume, he heads back home to Haddonfield. Loomis knows how bad it is that Michael has escaped and he heads out to try and find him before he can go on a complete murder spree.
Laurie Strode: A Final Girl Icon
In Haddonfield, teenager Laurie Strode is just trying to live her best life and she feels like she is being stalked, but her friends tell her it is just her imagination. Well, they should have listened to her as she was being talked and Michael is slashing his way through Haddonfield and this eventually put Laurie right in his sights. Look, you probably already know the gist of the story of the original Halloween, and do not need me to tell you how great it is!
Halloween is such an important movie. Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode is one of the most iconic final girls of all time! What makes her so great is that she is not a moron she tries to do the right thing and she actually stands up to Michael and puts up one hell of a fight against him.
Michael Myers: The Shape of Evil
There is a real mysticism about Michael in this movie as he not only dishes out a ton of punishment, Michael also takes a lot of punishment as well, but he keeps on going! The ending of the movie where after all that Laurie did to him, not to mention Loomis emptying a clip into him and falling off a balcony is so freaking awesome…. And he gets up from it!
Why Halloween (1978) Is a Classic
When it comes to the Halloween franchise, this first movie in the series is still one of my favorites. John Carpenter really nailed it the first time around from the iconic music, the clever use of first-person shots, and just the whole general vibe of the movie. I wonder if when he was directing it, if he had any idea that he would be creating this phenomenal franchise that would still be going nearly 50 years later?
Halloween (1978) Download Options
If you’re looking to watch or rewatch this classic, you can find Halloween (1978) available for download on various platforms. Click on the Download button provided below to enjoy this timeless slasher masterpiece.
