The History Of Halloween

This documentary explores Halloween's origins from the Celtic Samhain festival, where bonfires warded off spirits at summer's end, to its Christian overlay as All Hallows' Eve before All Saints' Day. It traces medieval souling and guising traditions evolving into American trick-or-treating via 19th-century immigrants, alongside Roman Pomona influences and Victorian party customs. Featuring jack-o'-lantern folklore from Stingy Jack, global parallels like Día de los Muertos, and modern $10 billion U.S. industries, the film uses reenactments and expert insights to connect themes of harvest, death, and renewal across cultures.