Halloween III - Season of the Witch poster & wallpaper
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Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O'Herlihy, Ralph Strait, Michael Currie ... see more see more... , Jadeen Barbor , Bradley Schachter , Garn Stephens , Al Berry , Loyd Catlett , Paddi Edwards , Michael Greene , Joshua John Miller , Maide Norman , Patrick Pankhurst , Essex Smith , Nathaniel Merrill , Susan Shaw , Dick Warlock

The only installment of the Halloween series to abandon the Michael Myers story line, Halloween III: Season of the Witch is an intricate sci-fi horror hybrid. A week before Halloween, an older man nam... read more read more...ed Harry Grimbridge (Al Berry) is wounded by a mysteriously dispassionate group of assailants in an industrial parking lot. After receiving treatment at a local hospital from Dr. Dan Challis (Tom Atkins) -- a hard-drinking divorced father of two -- Grimbridge is killed by an assassin who later sets himself on fire. Blowing off his own kids, Challis teams up with Grimbridge's daughter, Ellie (Stacey Nelkin), to find out why the middle-aged toy salesman was murdered. The duo's search soon leads them to a Halloween-mask factory run by inventor and practical joker Conal Cochran (Dan O'Herlihy). In between bouts of passionate lovemaking, Ellie and Challis begin to realize that the sinister old businessman has something other than treats in mind for America's kids -- something to do with the Silver Shamrock masks that Challis' children and thousands of other youngsters have bought for the holiday. Original screenwriter Nigel Kneale, whose scripts for Britain's Quatermass TV series made him a beloved science fiction fixture, sued the producers of Halloween III to have his name removed from the credits after seeing the gory finished product; director Tommy Lee Wallace ultimately received screenplay credit. John Carpenter, director of the first Halloween film, co-produced the third installment with Debra Hill, who would later soldier on without Carpenter for additional, belated sequels. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

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28% liked it

49,918 ratings

Critics

33% liked it

15 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Tommy Lee Wallace

Release Date: October 22, 1982

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DVD Release Date: August 31, 2004

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Stats: 2,630 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,630)

  • fb500439213
    October 22, 2011
    fb500439213
    Androids, the mystical powers of Stonehenge, rattlesnakes and magical Shamrock coins are all enveloped into one conspiracy theory. What might sound like a bizarrely exhilarating rollercoaster is actually a laughable, groan-inducing shadow of Carpenter's talents. It possesses the ... read moreincontrovertible trademarks of Carpenter: the priceless keyboard score, the sparse style and Dean Cundey's legendary cinematography. However, none of the characters are remotely sympathetic (Atkins is essentially a lecherous gigolo who flirts with every ample-bodied female), the gore is wildly overcooked (a beheading and nostril dislocation) and the bombarding, annoying theme song is repeated ad nauseum. When the protagonists are hiding behind a mask rack, it's like a scene directly from a 'Scooby-Doo' episode. I was never an overwhelming fan of the franchise, but this disconnected sequel is among the most taxing to watch, let alone enjoy.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 17, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Season of the Witch is a drastic departure for the Halloween series. The film is significant for the fact that the film has the absence of Michael Myers, which was this films death rattle. The film would've been better as totally new horror film that wasn't part of the Halloween ... read moresaga. This film was a disappointment and is certainly one of the worst and weakest of the series, along with Halloween: Resurrection. The film would have been something good if it wasn't part of the Halloween franchise. However it's part of the franchise, and the result is a poor third entry with not so great performance, a poorly developed plot and the absence of Michael Myers. Every film maker feels compelled to do something different with a franchise no matter what the genre is. In Horror, something different can be a BIG risk taker, the film can either work or not. Let's take Halloween III Season of the Witch for instance. The film makers decided to omit Michael Myers al together from this film, and start a new. The film is a big mistake, and is one of the worst ever made in the series. I can at least respect the idea, but the absence of Michael Myers is inexcusable. He is the one that makes the series what it is, it be like removing Leatherface from the TCM series. The film is an utter failure and the worst in the series.
  • FilmFanatik
    September 11, 2011
    FilmFanatik
    So you thought Halloween III: Season of the Witch was terrible because it was a film that didn't involve a story featuring Michael Myers, right? Well, that's where you're wrong. Halloween III is actually much better than you would perceive it to be, and the fact that it doesn't i... read morenvolve the series' main antagonist or storyline actually strengthens it. I've always thought of it as a poor man's Cronenberg, but in a good way. It definitely has that Cronenberg feel to it, with an unorthodox storyline, moody atmosphere, dark score (by Carpenter himself) and a nice little cast. It's not a perfect horror film, but it's got enough atmosphere for ten more like it. It may not have been the best idea to call it a Halloween sequel (simply Season of the Witch would have sufficed), but it's not a terrible film by any means.
  • blkbomb
    September 11, 2011
    blkbomb
    Conal Cochran: You don't really know much about Halloween. You thought no further than the strange custom of having your children wear masks and go out begging for candy. 

    "The night no one comes home."

    I wouldn't hate Halloween 3: Season of the Witch nearly as much if it hadn'... read moret been mooching off the success of the first two. If the studio had just came out and made a movie called Season of the Witch and not tied it in to the Halloween franchise, it wouldn't piss me off as much. But then again, it wouldn't have made as much money. The fact that there's a Halloween without Michael Myers and Doctor Loomis is just completely moronic in my opinion.

    The idea of the movie is pretty interesting. A mask company is the villain and it's a race to see if one man can save the children from the company. The idea is better than the execution though and the ending left me more than a little displeased. 

    When you're thinking about watching this movie ask yourself a couple of questions first. Would I watch Nightmare on Elm Street without Freddy? Would I watch Jaws without the shark? Of course not and that's basically what this is. It's a Halloween sequel without the Halloween villain. The movies wrong on so many levels. It's disgrace to the rest of the franchise and the fact that it was made is rather scary. 
  • fb729949618
    August 6, 2011
    fb729949618
    Why Why Why Why??? No Michael Myers in a Halloween movie? Get out of here.
  • LoughnerWasLucid
    January 15, 2011
    LoughnerWasLucid
    wheres Michael dickholes?? WHERES MICHAEL?!?!
  • creepfreak
    August 10, 2010
    creepfreak
    Halloween III is my second favorite entry in the series. What people don't understand is that the Halloween series was suppose to have a completely different story for each part, but fans went going crazy over Myers. John Carpenter explained this himself, that's why he produced p... read moreart III. Halloween III: Season of the Witch stands on it's own and it's a great, fun, spooky little Halloween film. It should have just been called "Season of the Witch". The "Halloween III" in the title threw people off, and because of no Myers people hated it. It's completely underrated.

    Tom Atkins is the man in this. It's because of this movie and "Night of the Creeps" why I love him so much. He was an idol to me growing up (for real).

    Halloween III isn't that gory, but it's fu*king gross. Lots of bugs and icky slime (with some blood here and there). The theme song is great too (the commercial song)..."Two more days to Halloween - Halloween - Halloween. Two more days to Halloween...Silver Shamrock!" It's classic! That song will live with me forever. Everything about this movie is classic, and it's one of my favorite Halloween (season) themed horror films ever made. A must see for horror fans. Don't let the execution of Myers turn you off, watch it for a film on it's own and discard "Halloween" from it's title. Watch it as "Season of the Witch". It'll be a truly fun horror film.

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  • TheGame90
    June 19, 2010
    TheGame90
    I don't know why Michael wasn't here when his fucking face was on the cover. Still a good movie with one of the greatest endings ever. But you can't help but feeling ripped off. His fucking face is on the cover
  • 76Majikat
    June 19, 2010
    76Majikat
    Quite different from the first two instalments of this series in films, no Michael Myers and of course the only connection being the title of the film. So far this was the only one that I had previously watched of the Halloween franchise and so was a little fun to rewatch, howev... read moreer, a disappointing sequel none-the-less.
  • jlewis07
    January 28, 2010
    jlewis07
    I thought this was a little better than Halloween II. Sure, it has nothing to do with Michael Myers, but I think that works to its advantage. The worst thing about the second installment was the huge disappointment of it not living up to its predecessor. Halloween III has nothing... read more to fear in that regard. This movie is a conspiracy thriller with Halloween flavorings. The plot is convoluted and never makes complete sense (Stonehenge is mentioned a few times, but I never understood what it was doing and how it had magical powers), but the movie is never boring and I was always intrigued with what was going to happen next. It has a decent soundtrack too, helping to build the atmosphere. The movie has sort of a techno vibe ala The Terminator (at least it felt like it to me). It isn't particularly scary, but there are a few creepy scenes (the demonstration of what happens to the kids when the plan is triggered comes to mind). I can't quite recommend it, but I will say that it doesn't deserve the hating that some people put on it.

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Critic Reviews

Roger Ebert
October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

This is one of those Identikit movies, assembled out of familiar parts from other, better movies. Full Review

Vincent Canby
August 30, 2004
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Mr. Wallace clearly has a fondness for the cliches he is parodying and he does it with style. Full Review

Dustin Putman
October 29, 2008
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com

It is high time for viewers with a hang-up to reevaluate the pleasures that Halloween III: Season of the Witch has to offer. Full Review

Tim Brayton
July 27, 2008
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy

There are more than enough giant logic holes, stilted characters and idiotic developments to make sure that it is bad for reasons transcending its simple poorness as a sequel Full Review

Steve Crum
February 19, 2008
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

Has little connection with first two "Halloweens," including true terror.

August 27, 2007
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Though the film certainly isn't awful, the filmmakers couldn't decide on their focus. Full Review

June 24, 2006
Time Out

The end result is a bit of a mess but hugely enjoyable, and often (thanks to Dean Cundey's camerawork and John Carpenter's close supervision as producer) as striking visually as its predecessors. Full Review

Clint Morris
March 11, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

Something stinks!

Eric D. Snider
November 29, 2003
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com

Were it not for the middle 30 minutes, which take approximately 73,000 hours to watch, forgetting it would be easy. Full Review

Christopher Null
September 30, 2003
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Oh boy, this is a howler, justly ranked as one of the worst films in history and shocking in that it didn't kill Carpenter's career outright. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Conal Cochran: I do love a good joke and this is the best ever: a joke on the children.
    • Conal Cochran: You know what you really need to see is a demonstration and there's one coming right up.
    • Dr. Daniel Challis: You haven't know, is there a vacancy here in this motel? My wife and I need a place to stay.
    • Rafferty: You've come to the right place. It's cozy, it's quiet, and the price is right.
    • Betty Kupfer: I think this whole thing is a big joke. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
    • Dr. Daniel Challis: (on the phone) The third channel, it's still on. Please, take off the third channel. The third channel, it's still running. Stop it, please, for God's sake, please stop it. There's no more time! Please stop it. Stop it now. Turn it off! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! STOP IT!
    • Buddy Kupfer: (in the test room) Relax a minute, will you? Mr. Cochran will be here and everything will be fine. He just wants my opinion about some television commercials or something. You know, I still don't understand why they won't take my orders for next year. You know how I like to work ahead and well they're just not interested at all. Maybe they're not going to have Halloween next year.
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Halloween III - Season of the Witch Trivia

Halloween III - Season of the Wit... Trivia

  • The story of which "Halloween" movie had virtually nothing to do with its infamous movie monster, Michael Myers?   Answer »
  • Which Halloween movie had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with Michael Myers???  Answer »
  • Name the Halloween movie that doesn't have Michael Myers in it?   Answer »
  • Which horror movie made Halloween masks lethal by including Stonehenge rock chips in the mask construction?  Answer »
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