Given the current recommendation to stay home and practice social distancing, we at the Chicago International Film Festival are looking at past selections from each year of the Festival that you can stream now from home. Stream our past selections as we look forward to the 56th Chicago International Film Festival this October 14-25, 2020. Find the full 56 Films for 56 Years selections here.

Today’s #56Films entry takes us to 1978 where John Carpenter screened two now iconic classics at the 14th Chicago International Film Festival including the landmark slasher film Halloween, featuring the debut performance of star Jamie Lee Curtis, which is now praised as one of the greatest horror films of all time.

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HALLOWEEN

Director: John Carpenter
14th Chicago International Film Festival

American director John Carpenter presented two now-iconic works at the 14th Chicago International Film Festival in 1978: low budget actioner Assault on Precinct 13 and the franchise launching, landmark slasher film Halloween. Set in the fictional Haddonfield, IL, Halloween tapped into the growing unease in suburban communities around the country, introducing the looming, masked Michael Myers, who could strike, undeterred, in any community in the country. The film also featured the debut performance of star Jamie Lee Curtis as teen Laurie Strode who Myers relentlessly hunted along with Donald Pleasence’s memorable turn as the crazed Dr. Loomis. In addition to directing, Carpenter composed the instantly recognizable score, whose simple yet haunting piano notes provide an evocative aural layer added upon the extreme visual violence. Be sure to lock your doors while you shelter-in-place and watch–and maybe don’t start this one too late. – Andrew Van Beek, Marketing Manager

Streaming Details:
Halloween is streaming now on Shudder and available for digital rental.