Opening to "The Fog"

[@christopherwalker5878]

Greatest opening sequence of all time? Hell yes! One of my favorite horror movies of all time! The scene is moviemaking at its finest.

[@drinnerd8532]

Christopher Walker, WORD. We straight-up, don't even KNOW how to do this type of storytelling anymore...

[@walterbarsamian8915]

You are right Chris. This is the single greatest horror movie opening sequence in movie history. One of Carpenters most incredible scores. Almost 40 years after this movie for the first time it Houseman's voice is still just as haunting now as it was then. Great Cast. Carpenter was such a brilliant director and also made a cameo. 80's was a great decade for horror.

[@3912James]

0:21 Wow...this dude could.pass off as Albert Hitchcock's cousin.

[@danieldevries3230]

Carpenter bro. Top 3 all time director

[@richpivo772]

Thank you. I was in this scene.

[@ToolaRoola]

This is the highest level of art. A good example that one story and tension music are able to frighten without presence any monsters.

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

exactly..better than CGI crap and blood and gore

[@lw3646]

It's a really effective scene for what is essentially just exposition. Also quite effective if you're working on a shoestring budget and can't afford to actually show the event. It was a reshoot on a soundstage to give the film more atmosphere after negative reactions to test screenings

[@RonD84]

Nail on the Head my friend

[@aktenanleger]

Yes, indeed. The greatest horror is what you imagine, not what you see.

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

What makes this movie so great is how beautifully filmed it was.Captured the ocean and the beach scenes and the secluded town perfectly.I love this movie

[@basehead617]

I live there! It’s only an hour from San Francisco and hasn’t changed at all.

[@josebro352]

@@basehead617 You still live there?

[@LeeByrne316]

That music. Absolutely chilling.

[@johnrunion5357]

+James Mackenzie it is my very favorite of all the great, classic carpenter scores.

[@christopherwalker5878]

It is terrifying indeed. This film might not be scary to me, but is it creepy? Hell yes it is! Such a great movie.

[@robquin1525]

if you think thats creepy, listen to the main theme

[@filmcult1181]

It sounds like drowning.

[@Moodboard39]

That's like suspense, dark music

[@mr.hissingcockroach5054]

One of the greatest films and openings to a film of all time!

[@mikegarrens5286]

This is a really really cool opening!

[@danshanahan8328]

Id love to be sitting at a fire listening to that old sailors stories

[@adamromero]

me too! 😊

[@iandonnelly1451]

Listen this story , i need money Pal !

[@slippinjimmy3961]

definitely!! it would be awesome

[@richpivo772]

I was in this scene. I was about 10 years old and loved being in the movies. It was only a day shoot at the studio, but so much fun.

[@georgebarber5334]

@@richpivo772 which kid was you?

[@atlantic-yq2wr]

I live right on the sea (Long Island, New York), and yes, there ARE fishermen like this who revel in telling old stories (both true and legendary) about the wondrous ocean. Awesome.

[@arminiusofgermania]

Funny. I always thought only sexually androgynous mutants, pretentious snotty rich yuppies, hipster beardos, and ethnic minorities lived in the big gangerous sore that is new york. But really? Crazy boat jockeys who spin stories by a campfire on the beach well into the night? Whodathunk?

[@NucleaRaptor]

@@arminiusofgermania >sexually androgynous mutants, pretentious snotty rich yuppies, hipster beardos, and ethnic minorities That's NYC. Normal people live further away.

[@atlantic-yq2wr]

John Carpenter scored a major coup here by recruiting an Oscar winner (John Houseman), an Oscar nominee (Janet Leigh), an established television actress (Adrienne Barbeau), an up and coming movie actress with two horror movies already under her belt (Jamie Lee Curtis), and a serious historical theme actor (Hal Holbrook) to star in this movie. Their combined talents made this into a true classic.

[@yadayada9581]

John Carpenter may be the greatest, and most under appreciated horror director of all time. I think he understands both filmmaking and fear, on a completely different level then most of his contemporaries, most of those that came before him, and all of the horror directors that have come since him. Lots of filmmakers are capable of creating fear and tension, but they don't understand it, not like Carpenter. Look at this scene, this is how you start a movie, nothing like this happens today.

[@mickeyscratcher]

True story: As a kid I remember watching this on TV around 81 with my family. My folks had recently got a new solid-fuel stove installed for heating, and 3/4 way through the film the stove vents blocked up and smoke started pouring in the vents into the living room. The house was full of smoke so my Dad opened the front door to let the smoke out and was standing at the door shrouded in smoke. I was convinced he was going to get hooked.

[@zombiesquad3339]

+mickeyscratcher I would've died of fear lol great story.

[@christophertudor4727]

mickeyscratcher Nice one! Great story and the way in which you've told it is almost as atmospheric as this wonderful scene. What makes the opening scene of The Fog so devastating in its execution is the simplicity of it. There are no monsters or ghoulies lurking in the background or werewolves with slobbering jowels ready to pounce. There are no psychotic lunatics with axes or post-apocalyptic cannibals with blood lust in their eyes looking for their next kill.... ....the raw, unadulterated power lies in the simplicity and the sheer atmosphere of the scene. An avuncular old fisherman reciting a tale of suspense to a bunch of wide-eyed kids on a beach minutes away from the witching hour, whilst a simple campfire wistfully crackles away. No bells or whistles and no great lightning bolts or blood curdling screams with acrobatic camera shots. Simple, understated and realistic but totally devastating and spine tingling because of this very reason. Oh, and John Carpenter's piano score of course adds a certain Je ne sais quoi! The scene though of seeing your father at the door letting out the smoke whilst the movie The Fog was being shown though.....that would still send shivers up my spine even today lol! Chris (UK).

[@ENB1968]

Was it "....the twenty-first of April...."?

[@jeshkam]

lol hilarious and scary at the same time :-)

[@BOB1972ize]

I remember in 80s I seen the movie c.h.u.d,omfg every evening and morning I would lookout window at the man covers in road out front of the house lol

[@johnseabrook1029]

“A campfire.....like this one.” That sets the tone. Great monologue from John Houseman. All the kids totally spellbound.

[@mikebasil4832]

I’m glad that all the campfires that I enjoyed when I was a kid never attracted any karmically vengeful spirits.

[@konstantinoskaragiannis1596]

"The Fog"(1980) is a supernatural horror movie masterpiece! This is the most atmospheric and probably the scariest horror movie of all time!

[@atlantic-yq2wr]

This truly is a classic film in that it grips the observer without showing even a drop of blood or ounce of gore. Not too many productions are able to make that claim. Great movie!

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

same with Carpenters Halloween..only one blood scene the whole movie and it was only a little

[@matthewking6214]

Wow, I am 28 - and this is one of the most haunting intros to a horror movie I have ever seen. The piano use is amazing, so dark.

[@lw3646]

It's a really effective scene for what is essentially just exposition. Also quite effective if you're working on a shoestring budget and can't afford to actually show the event. It was a reshoot on a soundstage to give the film more atmosphere after negative reactions to test screenings.

[@jrlakin370]

Great soundtrack all round

[@Moodboard39]

Love it

[@redtexan7053]

Honestly this is probably one of the best, most atmospheric openings to a horror movie there is.

[@mikebasil4832]

It certainly made me understand when I was a kid how karma would be most integral to many ghost stories and supernatural horror films.

[@Njbear7453]

Carpenter is the king of creating mood and atmosphere

[@Escul1960]

My favorite John Carpenter movie. A true horror classic.

[@jaym.5713]

One of the most chilling/ atmospheric openings to any horror film ever.

[@citygirl5705]

Amazing how John Carpenter's "The Fog" and "The Thing" were really unappreciated when they came out. Both films are outstanding horror flicks.

[@nassauguy48]

The great John Houseman made this opening scene the gripping success that it became. He literally set the tone for the rest of the movie.

[@johndoe-xy4xq]

John Houseman would be a highly paid narrator, if he were still alive.

[@drrmdjr]

How this great movie starts and, how it ends, were both done perfectly!! This is one of those movies that if I saw it playing on tv but had stuff to do, I’d stay home and watch it fully!

[@casebz]

Horror from about 77-84' was and still is the gold standard. This opening sequence in particular, is just one example of why those years produced superior work in comparison to most of what is being put out today. As others have stated, you have real talent across the board, and teams of people having fun doing what they love . . .and it shows here. John Houseman plays this part masterfully - as any Oscar winner would. We need more filmmakers who are able to capture the essence of what horror movies should be about: atmosphere, suspense, tension, the score, - real ghost stories that keep our child-hood imaginations alive! and who can lead a passionate group of actors and actresses who completely own their characters, no matter how big or small the roles and lines are.

[@richpivo772]

I was in this scene. It was a good day for filming, and all the kids had a lot of fun. I miss making movies like this.

[@laatkrijt7040]

Then thank you all for this movie. Its my favourite horror movie and this scene is briljant.

[@Whtxombi]

That is SERIOUSLY cool. You're immortal now :)

[@richpivo772]

I'm better looking now, though

[@Whtxombi]

Lol!

[@mountainman4987]

Yeah i played the part of the old man telling the story.

[@dangchanneldeg6948]

I watched this the other night and I felt goosebumps on my arms and I knew how much i loved this movie. I loved it so much that I remember watching it on ABC I didn't care if it was edited for Television, it will always be that good.

[@lammysass]

John Carpenter certainly knows how to fuck up childhoods.Shit my pants!!!

[@CombatMedicTM]

While I think the Fog is not 'that' perfect as people say it is (it is very good, yet not 'that' overwhelming honestly), this is one of the very best opening scenes of all time, easily. The ghost story alone is so tremendously well done and even better told by the fantastic John Houseman. The story and its brilliant delivery is just perfectly accompanied by the great score, together creating a masterpiece of movie history. Creepy forever, well done!

[@Gingerninja1138]

One of the best ghost stories over made. And one of my favorite John Carpenter films. The beginning sets you up for the whole of the movie. Absolute brilliance👍👍👍

[@eleftheriaeleftheria3302]

Thomas Mcsorley It's the best one!

[@jesusnieves2222]

this story stills give me the chills

[@elektrozil9728]

Legend has it, his alcohol Breeethhh, kept the campfire,... Alive

[@anthonyjordanmoviesandmore2470]

One of the greatest openings to any horror movie

[@youarelife3437]

It's really foggy outside right now and I'm watching this.

[@ravenhill_the_crusader_1968]

great atmosphere in this film, very eerie! the fog rolled in!

[@mountainman4987]

Filmed entirely on location in point Reyes seashore here in California. I know because I've been to the light house in the movie and absolutely loved it ...........until the FOG rolled in!

[@Mwgedd]

One of the friggin creepiest horror movie openings of all time. John Carpenter's soundtrack and direction combined with John Houseman's dark story just sends chills down my spine every time.

[@VainEldritch]

When (rightly) praising The Fog, one should not neglect to mention the importance of Mr Carpenter's sad, soul-freezing music score. A piano has never been more haunting nor more lonely.

[@KevboKev]

+VainEldritch ..."more lonely." ...............Well said.

[@Chrisstian111]

So much better than the remake

[@mr.hissingcockroach5054]

Agreed, the remake made no sense to me. Crap, fog outside!

[@roguenerd6858]

Don’t ever mention that angsty piece of garbage they called a remake

[@willow9526]

The originals you can't top!!!

[@Neat0_o]

We don’t talk about the remake

[@rubywoo74]

I love the original too, but I do like how the remake went into the back story more.

[@briancleere9874]

I love on rainy Sunday nights to come home from working all wkd light the candles close.the curtains and put on the fog usually around mid night and listen to the rain and wind out side I love it one of my favourite horrors

[@dickiea579]

Still a great and chilling opening to a classic Horror film. The old ones are the best. The remake of this could have been so good if they had used their brain cells.

[@mr.hissingcockroach5054]

Agreed.

[@Moodboard39]

Can't remake classic ( depend though ) cuz the film The hills have eyes . 1970s, 80s were crappy as fuck lmao the remake was 💯 times better!!! So it depends how it's made

[@reniisgod]

Brilliant dialogue delivered perfectly. Great intro to one of the most overlooked horror films of all time. Carpenter’s underrated masterpiece 👌

[@gaoutlaw]

I didn't see The Fog until my teen years in the 90's, but even today it remains a favorite. The haunting music, scenes shrouded in mist, and ghostly mariners...it's a classic ghost story.

[@issyjas3309]

Superb intro to a classic movie

[@stuartb9323]

I love this movie! Sounds crazy but, I used this movie to put my son to sleep when he was young. He would copy all the noises in the opening clip...pocket watch closing, wind, piano ..... 5 - 10 minutes in, he was out like a light ! Lol...my wife was always asking What the hell are you watching with him?!

[@dfa3366]

Carpenter was not satisfied with the movie after filming. He then hired John Houseman for the opening scene. Also did some re shoots to add more fright. The movie land up being a horror classic. No CGI. Just real people in costumes adds to that real ness.

[@Moodboard39]

How ? After filming is done , can't redo that

[@The-KGC]

To this day this scene still makes my hairs stand on end

[@maceek1]

I remember my dad taking me to see this in the theater in Point Arena, CA. I was about 8 at the time. We were visiting my grandparents who lived out on the ridge about 13 miles from town. I remember the drive home, late that night, and the fog was so thick and white my dad had to drive about 15 mph. I was so scared. I rode the entire way up to grandma and grandpa's house, eyes clenched, heart pounding, curled up on the passenger-side floorboard. Ahh, the good old days to be scared!

[@jbro8934]

I live in Manchester, Massachusetts. It's a tiny coastal town. Every night the church bells on my corner chime and sound just like the ones at the end here and sometimes it even gets foggy too. Always makes me think of this great film.

[@Moodboard39]

Creepy

[@AnaMaria-wn6jn]

What a story… a poor Leper colony cheated & murdered for gold. Imagine the fear of shipwreck , then seeing the fire, believing it a guide to a safe harbor. A story for the Ages……

[@DementedCaver]

Carpenter in his prime, and his best was yet to come. This intro just sticks in my mind, I recall sitting in front of the massive 25 inch TV and watching this....and this intro just hooked me.

[@highgreen]

There are some folks here talking about the strange cutaway when he says suddenly out of the night the fog rolled in. When I first saw this movie in the theater the story he was telling was longer than it is now and that accounts for the strange close up.

[@GrungyNoah]

Two words : Legendary scene...I can't remember how many times i've see that movie since it first came out, especially that opening sequence...Sheer brilliance with that whole hypnotic, bone chilling, eerie atmosphere. Timeless scene...Carpenter knew how to genuinely scare audiences... Thanks for posting it up ;) Peace out

[@pizzaDhut]

JH"One more story....just to keep us warm". Kids"Uh no thanks".

[@lw3646]

It's a really effective scene for what is essentially just exposition. Also quite effective if you're working on a shoestring budget and can't afford to actually show the event. It was a reshoot on a soundstage to give the film more atmosphere after negative reactions to test screenings

[@ladydragonfly5172]

Love this movie! Reminds me of when I was a kid in summer camp, we sat around the camp fire telling ghost stories. Miss those days.

[@robbhahn8897]

One of my favorite movies: no bull, just a straight ahead ghost story about drowned sailors coming back from the dead for their gold and revenge.

[@ThePopcorn4331]

To this day (21) I still can’t watch this alone my kids will watch this.

[@eleftheriaeleftheria3302]

Amazing opening from an amazing horror masterpiece like "The fog" (1980)! Hello from Athens Greece!

[@pvtrichter88]

OH my GOD how could you not be captivated by hypnotic sounds by the great John Houseman!! this was a great spiritous campfire story that i've always loved!! and helped to further my love of drama!!

[@richpivo772]

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was in this film and specifically this scene. I had no idea, after having read the comments, so many people enjoyed it. This makes me very proud to have been part of the film, and I'm grateful that all of you have enjoyed it so much. Thank you.

[@richpivo772]

***** Thank you. I never thought I would end up part of a cult following - LOL. I love that you guys love this film, and yeah, it was much better than the remake. I'm still surprised to see this film in video kiosks and the bargain bin at Walmart. Thank you again for your comments.

[@Lonestarr357]

I just love how evocative the opening reel of this movie is: the imagery, the music (with that beautiful piano) and this story. Nice post.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

Honestly, in addition to the score, this is the best part of the movie

[@FredericaBimble]

@KazakhstanKid1994 - I'm not sure about this particular film but John Carpenter was known for doing the music on his films. This was probably one of his arrangements. He is a bit of a renaissance man.

[@station10444]

When my family bought our first dvd player I bought a magazine that gave "The Fog" for free just to test the player. I loved the movie, I have watched more times than i can remember and could watch it again. It is the movie made me love the horror genre. I have heard Carpenter saying this movie was not one of his favorites but it is certainly one of mine.10/10

[@RedneckRealist]

thats so awesome! They don't make movies any more! My grandpa's brother and his crew died when their fishing boat capsiesed out in the pacific ocean. They were out of Newport Bay, Newport,Oregon. God rest their souls and every other who perished at sea. Thanks for posting

[@afroman255]

Did anyone notice that weird zoom cut in 0:59

[@brianheistan9859]

0:59 that super fast zoom in always has me tripping lol

[@wilfried02121969]

The old seamen with his way to watch at the kids is just legend

[@stephensaxby2820]

One of the best opening scenes in any horror film...it's sets up the atmosphere so well.

[@richpivo772]

I was in this scene. A good day for filming, and I remember how they used artificial lighting and an artificial fire. It was my introduction to how movies were really made.

[@sneakyskunk1]

Hard to believe Carpenter didn't actually like this movie all that much. Easily one of his best.

[@slippinjimmy3961]

absolutely my favourite horror of all time

[@brandonnodine6934]

Love the opening, but those little kids were passing themselves hearing that before bedtime lol

[@HiDesert004]

If that happened today all those kids would be staring at their phones :(

[@TotalSinging]

shot on a soundstage weeks after main filming had already wrapped

[@repelghosts]

One of my fave scenes of all time in the horror genre..Thank-you so much whoever you are! Jenna and Da Girlz

[@ozzbo6195]

Imagine Carpenter being a young up coming writer and director today....... But times have changed and we're all not called old school for nothing!

[@joedaily2]

The original Midnight Society 

[@azertu2u2]

The view of the beach completes the scene!

[@jcollins111111]

One of the best horror movies. Add the thing, jaws and aliens to that list.

[@davidscott1562]

My favorite horror movie of all time

[@mattsmt20]

This is so much better then the remake I pretend it was never made it sucked that bad

[@DBarns7]

Couldn't have said this better myself. Houseman was a terrific and versatile actor. And Carpenter's music made this scene all the more chilling. A true horror classic.

[@tonybarde2572]

I need this for ASMR

[@JanRaz1955]

The soundtrack is awesome, great movie 😊❤

[@Aleon38]

THE FOG! ROOOOOLLLLED IN!

[@glwebb1967]

one of the best scary movies ever!

[@furpal40]

The music really makes this classic.

[@leoconchola3163]

My dad let me watch this movie as a kid scared me to death but one of my favorite movies

[@Stanfordroad]

still gives me chills..

[@maximuscaligula]

If you ever get the chance to watch the 1980 version of The Fog check out the scene in the beginning of the film when Father Malone played by Hal Holbrook first discovers the journal of his grandfather hidden in the wall.As he is first examining the journal he goes through a couple pages before he gets to the page which says "Midnight 'Til One Belongs To The Dead."Pause the screen where you can see random writings before that page.Look closely,an inside joke?Some of the words kinda funny there.

[@jamesegan1474]

Loved him in paper chase. He managed to become the epitome of contempt.

[@TubeScrewed]

I always wondered if the clang in the distance at 12 o clock was edited in, or actually performed during the scene. It would have been a great way to creep the kids out, and get a good performance out of them.

[@GuyBailey99]

one of the best openings ever

[@gameram6382]

Amazing my favourite horror

[@jeshkam]

John Houseman - world's favorite driving instructor.

[@jm-io8iu]

Still get goosebumps

[@Cobrajet1971]

For 3min, we were all another kid sitting by the fire and listening to Houseman telling us of the tragedy of the Elizabeth Dane and her crew. Entrancing opening scene.

[@johnnyscarecrow3363]

Brilliant that should have been the whole movie

[@robgarcia5759]

Beautiful.. ❤️

[@OriginalAcefanatic]

Thank you!!! The movies that are made these days are too bloody. The movies like this and Halloween are great because you get the crap scared out of you, but amazingly enough, there is very little blood.

[@Rhidgeback]

One of the best

[@dukiewilkos4247]

Love this movie!☁️