First film that made you quake in your pants

[Vampix]

I was going to say Black Christmas too! I'd never seen the film until I got a hold of the Tartan disc about 3 or 4 years back, then when I watched it for the first time I was on my own in the house with all the lights turned off.The psycho in this movie scared the crap outta me!

[vincenzo]

The BBFC cut all the uses of '****' for the cinema, and when it was shown on TV in the 80's every swear word was removed. The Tartan DVD was my first viewing of the full uncut version too and it was pretty startling stuff. The phone calls are still powerful and creepy today.

Excellent film.

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Classic.I dig it out come December every year.

[vincenzo]

I normally follow it with Don't Open Till Christmas for a giggle.

[Daemonia]

Originally Posted by vincenzo

None of them involving a leopard.

Hmmm...yes....but it's strongly hinted at in the opening sequence. It's also one of the finest opening sequences I've ever seen, the score by Moroder simply takes your breath away. Shame the rest of the film doesn't live up to the promise of the fantastic opening.

I actually watched the original again last night - still an amazingly creepy and eerie film, full of shadows and menace. Highly recommended if you haven't seen it. The Lewton films are an essential for any student of the horror film.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

I will definitely have to seek out Cat People and give it a watch, as I have heard nothing but good things about it.

I agree, Dae - Val Lewton is an essential when it comes to the world of horror. I especially like The Body Snatcher with Boris Karloff, plus the underrated voodoo classic I Walked With a Zombie.

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Val Lewton's "The Seventh Victim" is also very good,in fact I'm hard pressed to think of one of his horror/thrillers I don't like.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Make Them Die Slowly

Val Lewton's "The Seventh Victim" is also very good,in fact I'm hard pressed to think of one of his horror/thrillers I don't like.

Yep, The Seventh Victim is ace. I've been meaning to get hold of this for a while... in the form of the R1 double feature with Shadows of the Dark.

[mbv]

First film to affect me was when I saw Jaws 2 when I was a kid.
The scene when Brody goes out and picks up the log and the body pops out of the sea terrified me.
I was terrified of opening doors of cupboards for months in case the body was there!

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

Know what you mean mate.JAWS and JAWS 2 was usually viewed back-to-back in our house.