The Fog
Release Date: 12th June 1980 - Australia
Production Companies
AVCO Embassy Pictures
EDI (presents)
Debra Hill Productions
Distribution
StudioCanal Australia
Genre: Horror
Rating: M (Not Suitable for Young Children)
Runtime: 90 minutes
Budget: $1,100,000
Box Office Gross: $21,448,830 (Worldwide)
Plot Summary
A small, quaint coastal town
in California, Antonio Bay,
has turned 100, and its
peaceful community has
celebrate its centennial
year, just as supernatural
activity begins to disrupt
the festivities. An
impenetrable, eerie fog
emerges from the shore,
shrouding the village and
leading to mysterious
disappearances and the
spilling of warm, bright
red blood. Amid the
spectral, glowing mist,
shipwreck victims come
to seek revenge on the
townsfolk for a crime
the town's founders
committed 100 years ago.
Cast
Adrienne Barbeau - Stevie Wayne
Jamie Lee Curtis - Elizabeth Solley
John Houseman - Mr. Machen
Janet Leigh - Kathy Williams
Tom Atkins - Nick Castle
Nancy Kyes - Sandy Fadel
James Canning - Dick Baxter
Charles Cyphers - Dan O'Bannon
Ty Mitchell - Andy Wayne
Hal Holbrook - Father Malone
John F. Goff - Al Williams
George 'Buck' Flower - Tommy Wallace
Regina Waldon - Mrs. Kobritz
Jim Haymie - Dockmaster
Darrow Igus - Mel
John Vick - Sheriff David Simms
Jim Jacobus - Mayor
Fred Franklyn - Ashcroft
Ric Moreno - Ghost
Lee Socks - Ghost
Tommy Lee Wallace - Ghost
Bill Taylor - Bartender
Rob Bottin - Blake
Charles Nicklin - Blake (Voice)
Darwin Joston - Dr. Phibes
Laurie Arent - Child
Lindsay Arent - Child
Shari Jacoby - Child
Christopher Cundey - Child
John Strobel - Grocery Clerk
John Carpenter - Bennett (Cameo)
(Uncredited)
Debra Hill - Extra (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Crew
Writer/Director/Music - John Carpenter
Writer/Producer - Debra Hill
Script Supervisor - Jeanne Rosenberg
Associate Producers - Barry Bernardi
and Pegi Brotman
Executive Producer - Charles B. Bloch
Production Designer/Editor - Tommy Lee Wallace
Art Director - Craig Stearns
Special Makeup/Effects: Blake - Rob Bottin
Costume Designers - Stephen Loomis
and Bill Whitten
Cinematography/Effects: Blake - Dean Cundey
Camera Operator/Second Unit Camera -
Raymond Stella
Production Manager - Don Behrns
First Assistant Director - Larry Franco
Special Effects: A. & A. Special Effects -
Richard Albain Jr.
Special Photographic Effects - James F. Liles
Editor - Charles Bornstein
Special Sound Effects - Frank Serafine
Supervising Sound Editors - Gregg Barbanell
and Ron Horowitz
Re-Recording Mixers - Bob Minkler,
Richard Tyler and Ray West
Review
John Carpenter is a master of terror, bringing horror movies to life. Following the success of Halloween comes THE FOG, a supernatural, ghostly classic. The film centres on a small town whose residents face an unearthly fog of shipwreck victims coming to claim them for a crime committed 100 years ago. Known for its moody atmosphere, it's so tense it will terrify you, whether you're watching it alone or with someone at midnight. The only issue with THE FOG is its lack of blood and gore. Another is Adrienne Barbeau's role, which doesn't interact with the other characters. However, the creepiness and original premise should make up for it. I like how the movie begins with an old captain telling a ghost story to young children by a campfire, a fitting start to a horror film.
Adrienne Barbeau showcased her talent as a radio announcer, yet surprisingly, she was married to the film's director during production. Jamie Lee Curtis didn't have enough material for a lead role, as she was part of an ensemble cast. However, she shares the screen with her mother and fellow actress Janet Leigh. Dean Cundey's cinematography was brilliant, evoking the film's chilling impact, and some special effects are magnificent.
THE FOG is a visually compelling movie by John Carpenter, despite numerous production issues that caused the director to consider it his least favourite. While I partially disagree, it is a semi-decent, enjoyable film, especially for horror fans, even for those who have seen a similar, more terrifying movie called The Mist.
Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie
