Director: Sean S. Cunningham
Writer: Victor Miller (Screenplay) Sean S. Cunningham, Victor Miller, Ron Kurz (Story)
Starring: Betsy Palmer, Adrienna King, Jeannine Taylor, Robbi Morgan, Kevin Bacon, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Mark Nelson
Plot: Camp Crystal Lake has a troubled past where a young boy Jason drowned and a year later two camp counsellors died. Fast forward to the present, well 1980 and the camp is going to be reopened. New counsellors Alice (King), Marcie (Taylor), Annie (Morgan) Jack (Bacon), Bill (Crosby), Ned (Nelson) and Brenda (Bartram) set up the camp and are left over night, but what starts as a night in the woods turns into a fight for survival against a mysterious killer.
Verdict: Classic slasher with plenty of blood scares and suspense
Story: As we know the story has a twist to what we believe in the franchise as we see in Scream. The story is basically a warning to teenagers to not do anything illegal like drugs and drink as well as no pre-marital sex. In the end we get a good slasher that has stood the test of time and outshone a reboot. (9/10)
Actor Review: Betsy Palmer – The mother of Jason who is out to stop anyone re-opening the camp and will not stop at any cost. Biggest name in the film at the time high criticised for involvement too, but saying that with what little screen time she gets she does a very good job. (9/10)
Actor Review: Adrienne King – Alice a young innocent girl who wants to help look after kids. Good performance as the scream queen of the film as well as having one of the most iconic killings to her name. Breakout Performance Award (9/10)
Actor Review: Laurie Bartram – Brenda bubbly girl who wants to have a good time and work at the camp, but get used as a good jump scare. Good performance but doesn’t have the most to work with. Debut Performance Award (7/10)
Actor Review: Kevin Bacon – Cocky member of the group who is the prime example to what the warnings of the film are about. This is the same Kevin Bacon we all know is a top class actor and this is one of his early roles and much like Johnny Depp in Nightmare on Elm Street has one of the most iconic deaths in the franchise. (7/10)
Actor Review: Harry Crosby – Overall good guy of the group just trying to make people happy and protect them at the same time. Good performance showing some good determination to impress. (8/10)
Director Review: Sean S. Cunningham – The beginning of a great franchise this guy laid the foundations for other directors to either improve or destroy a character he doesn’t even use in Jason. (8/10)
Horror: Great horror one of the classic slasher films. (10/10)
Special Effects: Tom Savini working on make-up and effects you know you are getting great effects throughout. (10/10)
Music: Using great background music throughout to create extra atmosphere. (10/10)
Believability: Not really, gets a 1 because revenge could drive any parent to extremes.(1/10)
Chances of Tears: None (0/10)
Settings: A great horror setting isolated camp in the woods miles from the nearest town. (9/10)
Oscar Chances: No
Chances of Sequel: Beginning of one of the most used franchises in film history.
Suggestion: I would suggest this to all horror fans, it is one of those that will always be talked about and when it comes to franchises this is right up there with the best. If you don’t like horror then it is not for you. (Horror Fans Watch)
Best Part: The very end scene.
Kill Of The Film: Jack, simple kill but at least had a good time before.
Trivia: Sally Field auditioned for the lead role.
Similar Too: Halloween
Overall: Great slasher instant classic
Rating 87%
