The film starts with opening credits with just a black background to orange text. The simple but effective black background indicates the dark and sinister nature of the films narrative. The orange colour could symbolize the holiday of Hallowe’en (pumpkin colour).The first information distributed is the film institution ‘compass international pictures’. A glowing Hallowe’en pumpkin lantern fades into the shot along with the main actor’s name. The eerie glow coming from the pumpkins sinister smile and eyes adds a spine chilling unease to the opening. The credits then reveal the directors name, followed by the film title. The film title then gradually fades from orange to red, indicating that events in the film may occur in which blood will be shed. The credits then introduce the producers name and each actor/actress indicating which characters they play throughout the film, film editors, music directors, producers, designers etc. As the credits are being shown, the camera slowly zooms into the pumpkin, gradually just showing the eye glowing in the darkness. This may symbolize the dark and eerie atmosphere of the film.
The words Haddonfield, Illinois, followed by the words Hallowe’en and the date 1963 are shown on a black background, clearly indicating to the audience where about the film takes place and when it takes place. Children’s voices are then heard in the backdrop, chanting a famous Hallowe’en trick or treat tune. The opening cleverly has the ability to make an innocent fun and child- friendly song into a creepy, chilling element, adding tension and fear in the viewers head.The camera then travels through an intimidating, large, dark wood up to a small innocent looking white house, situated all alone with the lights glowing through the window. The pure, innocent image of the house creates a sense of vulnerability to its inhabitants. The camera shot used throughout the clip is a point of view shot. This shot is cleverly used as it creates an unsteady mode of travel for the viewer, as if they are seeing exactly what the unknown and mysterious character is looking at. The wobbly handling of the camera makes the film seem more realistic, as if the character is actually carrying the camera along with them. The camera creates a sense of confusion, disorientation and suspense as they sit on the edge of their seats, wondering where they are being led. The camera then zooms into a window, as the character is spying on a young couple inside the house. As the lights in the house go off, the eerie haunting music begins and as if in a panicked frenzy the camera begins to pan the house at high speed in darkness. The camera then enters the house and the only trace of the character is the dark shadow which appears on the wall. The character picks up some sort of mask and places it over his face(camera) to mask his identity, which continues to hold an air of mystery to their identity, indicating something bad is about to occur. Through the eye holes, we see the character spy on a half naked young girl in the comfort of her room. The masked character then proceeds to stab the young woman multiple times in the chest as she screams and begs for mercy. The film uses a typical, naïve blond haired young women who seems very dependant, innocent and unable to fend for herself, adding to the sympathy felt by the viewer. The camera shot then reverses from the characters point of view as his mask is removed and his identity is revealed. It is a young boy dressed as a clown. Clowns are often used in horror films as many people fear their strange appearance and uncontrollable actions. The onlookers appear shocked that a young boy would be capable of pulling off this crime. As the audience are allowed time to take in what they have just witnessed, the camera begins to float off into the distance, as if attached to a balloon, revealing an aerial shot of the boy, the house and the setting. The ending of this scene is very powerful and also unconventional as the killer or villain is not usually given away right at the beginning of a film. The killer is such an unexpected twist in the story that it fascinates the audience, and wills them to continue viewing to find out where the story will turn next.
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