The Fog (1980)
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A mysterious, glowing fog rolls into a coastal town, bringing with it the vengeful spirits of a long-forgotten maritime tragedy.
The story
On the eve of the centennial of the small coastal town of Antonio Bay in Northern California, a mysterious, glowing fog sweeps over the area. As the town prepares for its celebration, a local priest discovers a hidden diary revealing a dark secret: a century earlier, the town's founders deliberately wrecked a ship to prevent the establishment of a leper colony. As the fog rolls in, it brings with it the vengeful spirits of the ship's crew. The supernatural threat begins to emerge, and the residents must face the consequences of a century-old crime as the fog moves inland, disrupting the town's infrastructure and threatening the lives of those remaining.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
On the eve of the centennial of Antonio Bay, California, a priest named Father Patrick Malone discovers a diary revealing that the town's founders conspired to wreck the ship Elizabeth Dane in 1880 to prevent a leper colony. Simultaneously, a glowing fog rolls in from the sea, carrying the vengeful spirits of the ship's crew. The spirits begin a deadly hunt, killing several residents including a fisherman, a local weatherman, and a babysitter. A radio DJ, Stevie Wayne, and a man named Nick Castle attempt to rescue others while the fog disrupts the town's communications. In the town's church, the residents find a gold cross made from the stolen loot of the ship. Father Malone realizes the spirits seek to claim six lives to match the six original conspirators. He offers himself and the gold to save the others. While the others escape, the fog returns, and the vengeful owner, Blake, decapitates Malone. The film ends with the fog vanishing as the spirits take their revenge.
- First release year
- 1980
- Runtime (minutes)
- 90
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- John Carpenter
- Writers
- John Carpenter · writer; Debra Hill · writer
- Cast and characters
- Adrienne Barbeau · not specified; Jamie Lee Curtis · Elizabeth; John Houseman · Mr. Machen; Janet Leigh · not specified; Hal Holbrook · not specified; Tom Atkins · Nick Castle
- Genres
- supernatural horror; horror thriller
- Tone and mood
- supernatural; atmospheric
- Premise and plot tags
- supernatural; horror; ghost story; maritime
- Source material / true-story basis
- Original screenplay by John Carpenter and Debra Hill
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews upon release, with critics praising its visuals and acting while criticizing its structure and screenplay. It has since established a cult following and is considered a minor horror classic.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 55 · scale: 100 · review count: 11
- Production trivia
- The film's title song was covered by a German metal band.; The production budget was increased by $200,000 due to reshoots.; The character names were inspired by people Carpenter collaborated with.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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