Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
1984 film directed by Joseph Zito
“Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” is one of the most iconic films in the “Friday the 13th” horror saga. Directed by Joseph Zito and released in 1984, the film represents the fourth installment in the series and is often cited as one of the best, despite the title suggesting it was the last (which turned out not to be true due to the series’ success).
Here are some highlights and trivia about the film:
Plot:
The film picks up exactly where the third chapter ends. Jason Voorhees, the infamous hockey-masked killer, is apparently dead, and his body is taken to the morgue. However, Jason awakens and begins a new killing spree. He heads to Crystal Lake, where a group of young people has gathered for a vacation. Meanwhile, the Jarvis family, consisting of Trish, her younger brother Tommy, and their mother, lives nearby and gets inadvertently caught up in Jason’s murderous rampage.
Characters:
“Jason Voorhees”: Played by Ted White. Jason is the relentless and nearly indestructible killer who terrorizes Crystal Lake.
“Tommy Jarvis”: Played by Corey Feldman. Tommy is a young boy passionate about special effects and horror makeup. His character will become crucial in the subsequent chapters of the saga.
“Trish Jarvis”: Played by Kimberly Beck. Trish is Tommy’s older sister and one of the main protagonists fighting against Jason.
Direction and Production
Joseph Zito brought a darker and more intense vision compared to the previous installments. The film is known for its creative and brutal murder scenes, thanks in part to the work of legendary makeup artist Tom Savini, who returned to the series for this chapter after creating the special effects for the first film.
Special Effects and Gore
Tom Savini, the master of makeup special effects, returned for this film after creating the effects for the first “Friday the 13th.” Savini saw returning to the series as an opportunity to “kill the monster he created.” His skills in creating realistic and innovative gore effects played a crucial role in the film’s success. The death scenes are particularly creative and brutal, making the film memorable for fans of the genre.
Reception
Despite the title promising the “end” of the saga, the film was a box office success, grossing over $32 million on a budget of about $2.6 million. This success prompted the producers to continue the series, although many fans consider this chapter one of the high points of the saga.
Trivia
Misleading title:
The title “The Final Chapter” was chosen to attract attention and give the impression of an epic conclusion, but the film’s success ensured that the series continued.
Ted White’s Performance:
Ted White, who played Jason, was initially reluctant to participate in the film. However, he managed to bring a physicality and menacing presence that made Jason even more terrifying.
Corey Feldman:
Corey Feldman, who played Tommy Jarvis, was already a well-known child actor, and his performance was highly appreciated, further boosting his career.
In summary, “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” is a must-see for horror enthusiasts and a crucial piece of the Jason Voorhees saga. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend catching up: it’s a piece of horror cinema history!
