Friday the 13th 1980
U.S. Release: May 9, 1980 U.S. Gross: $39,754,601
1 Hour 35 minutes
| - Website Stories On The Film
| - Discussions
| - Filming Locations
| - Movie Stills
| - Behind The Scenes
| - Advertisements
| - Original Gene Siskel Review
| - Fan Reviews Of The Film
| - More From imdb.com
About The Film
Terror and suspense abound in this 24-hour nightmare of blood. Camp Crystal Lake has been shuttered for over 20 years due to several vicious and unsolved murders. The camp's new owner and seven young counselors are readying the property for re-opening despite warnings of a "death curse" by local residents. The curse proves true on Friday the 13th as one by one each of the counselors is stalked by a violent killer. This film is widely acclaimed for its horrifying and creative murder sequences.
Making Friday The 13th 1980 (History Of Production)
It is still amazing to for some fans to think that Friday the 13th (1980) was released over thirty years ago. The nostalgic feel of the film brings with it a resurgence of the horror genre not seen since the heyday of the Universal Picture days of the classic monster movies in the 1920's and 1930's. Before the hockey mask, the endless sequels, and merchandising opportunities, there was the demented Pamela Voorhees and her unwavering desire to avenge her mongoloid son's death.
The Friday The 13th franchise was initially conceived as a way to make a quick profit to help finance other film projects for Producer and Director Sean Cunningham. Cunningham himself started off directing sex education films, but really wanted to make films that would reach a broader audience and have the opportunity to make larger profits. During the production of his adult film Together, Sean needed help editing and enlisted the help of a person who has gone on to be one of the most influential people in modern horror. Wes Craven was a former English teacher who wanted to get involved in the motion picture industry, so when the call came, he indeed helped Cunningham complete the film and thus began a partnership that would help pave the way for Friday the 13th. READ MORE->
A Storytelling Autopsy (Look at the storytelling mechanics of film)
The original FRIDAY THE 13TH is without question one of the most influential motion pictures ever made. Questions of quality aside, even mainstream critics are forced to admit to the widespread effect the release of Sean S. Cunningham's popcorn thriller has had on the landscape of modern motion pictures. While Bob Clark's proto-slasher BLACK CHRISTMAS and John Carpenter's seminal HALLOWEEN set the stage, it was FRIDAY THE 13TH that effectively changed the direction of horror films forever. Imitations followed in droves until no holiday was left without a stalk-n-slash feature film revolving around it, from NEW YEAR'S EVIL to SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, but none captured the imagination of the film-going public the way FRIDAY did. READ MORE->
Theatrical Trailer
