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Halloween (1978)

Halloween
You've fooled them, haven't you Michael? But not me.
—Dr. Sam Loomis
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John Carpenter’s menacing theme for Halloween sends some into a panic and some smiling. Composed and performed by the man himself, Carpenter’s influences were Bernard Herrmann and Ennio Morricone, with whom Carpenter worked on The Thing. The opening sequence shares some similarities with a film that Carpenter adores, Roy Ward Baker’s Quatermass and the Pit.

The sequence plays like a blackhearted processional we’d like to writhe away from but the pull of this simpleton’s grin has us ensnared. A flicker to contemplate and a well-timed fade to black leave only Carpenter’s credit and his music. And our eyes, open with fear.

Halloween (1978) end crawl

  • Credits

Music by: John Carpenter

Titles and Opticals: MGM

Director of Photography: Dean Cundey

Music performed by: The Bowling Green Philharmonic Orchestra

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  • Halloween II

    Halloween II

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  • Halloween III: Season of the Witch

    Halloween III: Season of the Witch

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  • The Thing

    The Thing

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  • They Live

    They Live

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  • The Ward

    The Ward

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  • Quatermass and the Pit

    Quatermass and the Pit

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Title sequence

  • Category

    Film
  • Styles

    1970s, live action, main title
Halloween
  • Film Director

    John Carpenter
  • Release Date

    October 25, 1978
  • Aspect Ratio

    2.35:1
  • Studios

    Compass International Pictures, Falcon International Productions
  • Country

    USA
  • Language

    English
  • Reviews

    Reviews on Letterboxd
  • IMDb has full details

Article

  • Writer

    Alexander Ulloa
  • Published

    October 31, 2008

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