Friday the 13th (HBO)

About Friday the 13th (HBO)

Friday the 13th is a 1980 American slasher film directed by Sean S. Cunningham, written by Victor Miller, and produced by Steve Miner. It tells the story of a group of young camp counselors who are murdered one by one by an unknown killer while attempting to re-open an abandoned summer camp. The film's name comes from the famous superstition of bad luck occurring on Friday the 13th, setting an atmospheric tone for the chilling events that follow.

Making / Production

The film's production was to create a horror film similar to Halloween. Cunningham and Miller created a story that emphasized the visceral experience of horror without complex narratives or character backgrounds. Filming took place in New Jersey in the latter half of 1979, with a final budget of $550,000.

Actors

• Betsy Palmer as Mrs. Voorhees - She brilliantly played the role of a grieving mother turned vengeful killer. Her portrayal marked a milestone in the slasher genre.
• Adrienne King as Alice - As the chief protagonist and first 'final girl' of the series, her emotional acting set the groundwork for her character's survival narrative.
• Kevin Bacon as Jack - His character brought a degree of levity to the film, with Bacon nailing the balance between humor and terror.
• Jeannine Taylor as Marcie - She captured the vivacious spirit of Marcie which brought contrast to the dark and haunting atmosphere of the film.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was shot mostly out of sequence.
• It's the beginning of one of the longest-running franchises in the horror genre.
• The movie was shot in just 28 days.
• A real snake was killed for the snake scene, sparking some controversy.

Awards

The film has not won any major awards but has since become a classic in the horror genre.

Quotes

• "You're doomed! You're all doomed!" - Crazy Ralph
• "His name was Jason. I was working the day that it happened, preparing meals...Here." - Mrs. Voorhees
• "Kill her, Mommy. Kill her! Don't let her get away, Mommy. Don't let her live!" - Jason

Music, Soundtrack

• The iconic music score was composed by Harry Manfredini, and its 'ki ki ki, ma ma ma' motif is instantly recognizable amongst horror aficionados.
• The film's soundtrack, accentuating its horror elements, played an essential part in setting the suspense and terror that has made the film a cult classic.