Although he is responsible for many modern Horror Classics, Wes Craven's most enduring creation is certainly the knife-fingered killer, Freddy Krueger. When A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) was released, it was slightly different that the usual serial killer/slasher movies. By having the crimes take place in a dreamscape, with the victims being killed in their sleep, Craven upped the audience fright level significantly. No place was a safe haven anymore. A Nightmare on Elm Street was a huge success, spawning a franchise, though none of the half-dozen or so sequels are comparable to the original. It also is a much better film, artistically, than it is often given credit for. A Nightmare on Elm Street is also significant in that it was the first role (although it is probably not a highlight on his resume) for Johnny Depp, the most versatile actor of our time.
The story centers on a group of high school kids (including Johnny Depp) that are having nightmares about the same man...
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| A Nightmare on Elm Street. 1984: Johnny Depp |
He is a burned up man, named Fred Krueger (Robert Englund), wearing a glove with knives attached to the fingers...
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| A Nightmare on Elm Street. 1984 |
He is attacking, and killing them, in their dreams...
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| A Nightmare on Elm Street. 1984 |
one by one...
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| A Nightmare on Elm Street. 1984 |
Freddy Krueger has not chosen these victims at random. The only safety for them is to stay awake...
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| A Nightmare on Elm Street. 1984 |
Something must be done. They have to sleep sometime...
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| A Nightmare on Elm Street. 1984 |
