This first instalment (in a seemingly never-ending series) was actually a bit of a clunker – but the millions of scared teens and adults who wore their VHS copies thin would beg to differ.
A group of camp counsellors, led by Steve Christy (Peter Brouwer), prepare for the grand reopening of Camp Crystal Lake, a New Jersey summer camp, even over the objections of locals like Crazy Ralph (Walt Gorney).
These objections stem from Camp Crystal Lake’s colourful history.
In 1957, camp counsellors failed to pay attention when a young boy named Jason Voorhees (Ari Lehman) drowned in the lake. Soon afterwards, two counsellors were murdered.
Then, some years later, the water in Crystal Lake inexplicably “went bad”, scuttling an attempt to reopen the camp.
But Steve is committed to the cause, and with the help of a sensitive artist and fellow counsellor, Alice (Adrienne King) gathers the troops for the big day of the camp’s re-opening.
In short order, however, the curse of ‘Camp Blood’ resumes as a secret assailant begins killing the camp’s new occupants.
One victim is Camp Crystal Lake counsellor Jack Burrell (Kevin Bacon in one of his earliest roles), who has a particularly memorable exit. He is enjoying a post-sex joint on his bed while his lover Marcie (Jeannine Taylor) is in the bathroom.
Suddenly, an arm comes out from under the bed and grabs his head. Then the sharp tip of an arrow protrudes from his neck, and blood spurts like a geyser, while his eyes bulge in horror.
The crisis comes to a head during a powerful thunderstorm, and the murderer is revealed as someone who was very close to young Jason – his mother, Pamela Voorhees (Betsy Palmer).
Finally, a spent Alice is alone in a rowing boat in the middle of Camp Crystal Lake when a deformed 12-year-old Jason leaps out of the water to attack her.
This is paint-by-numbers horror cinema, but the finale is pitch-perfect: from the placid, idyllic look of the lake to the tranquil, misleading music to the sudden attack itself.
A 2009 remake – directed by Marcus Nispel – did away with everything that made the original series so special.
Mrs Pamela Voorhees
Betsy Palmer Alice
Adrienne King Bill
Harry Crosby Brenda
Laurie Bartram Ned
Mark Nelson Marcie
Jeannine Taylor Annie
Robbi Morgan Jack Burrell
Kevin Bacon Steve Christy
Peter Brouwer Sgt. Tierney
Ronn Carroll Officer Dorf
Ron Millkie Crazy Ralph
Walt Gorney Barry
Willie Adams Claudette
Debra S. Hayes Trudy
Dorothy Kobs Sandy
Sally Anne Golden Doctor
Ken L. Parker Jason Voorhees
Ari Lehman
Director
Sean S Cunningham
Video
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These objections stem from Camp Crystal Lake’s colourful history.
One victim is Camp Crystal Lake counsellor Jack Burrell (Kevin Bacon in one of his earliest roles), who has a particularly memorable exit. He is enjoying a post-sex joint on his bed while his lover Marcie (Jeannine Taylor) is in the bathroom.
