As the beginning of his IMDb bio states, “Every horror film buff will recognize the name Jacques Haitkin.” Haitkin was the cinematographer on one of the most popular horror movies ever made, the 1984 Wes Craven classic A Nightmare on Elm Street (watch it HERE). And while Craven didn’t return to the helm for A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge, Haitkin did return to be the cinematographer on that sequel. Sadly, we have to share the news today that Jacques Haitkin is no longer with us. This news was broken on the Facebook account of filmmaker Tony Randel, who is best known for directing Hellbound: Hellraiser II and worked with Haitkin on Galaxy of Terror, Ticks, Fist of the North Star, Rattled, One Good Turn, and Assignment Berlin.
Randel posted, “I knew Jacques Haitkin practically my entire career. We met on a Roger Corman horror/sci-fi epic – Galaxy of Terror. Jacques was the Director of Photography and his soon to be wife, Annie Coffey, was his first assistant. I was responsible for the 16mm rear projection that brough to life the “high-tech” displays aboard the spaceship where much of the action took place. Not long after Galaxy, Jacques stepped into film immortality as DP of the first two Nightmare on Elm Street films. Afterwards, he was always in demand. More than a decade after our Galaxy experience, Jacques was recommended to do additional photography on a small horror film I was making – Ticks. I found we worked well together and ended up collaborating on five films. We did a project in Berlin – a rather unremarkable film. But we had a good time and on a day off took a day trip into Poland I will never forget. Later in his career, Jacques became an action DP specialist shooting cars stunts in The Fast and the Furious series, and action scenes in Black Panther, Kong: Skull Island, Captain America, just to name a few. Jacques’ beloved wife Annie passed away several years ago. Jacques succumbed to ALS on March 21.“
Haitkin was 72. In addition to the films mentioned above, his cinematography credits include The Prize Fighter, The Private Eyes, The House Where Evil Dwells, The Lost Empire, Quiet Cool, My Demon Lover, The Hidden, Cherry 2000, Cage, Shocker, Buried Alive, The Ambulance, Fast Getaway, Mom and Dad Save the World, Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence, Relentless 3, Bloodsport 2, The Big Squeeze, Buried Alive II, Wishmaster, Team Knight Rider, and Faust, among many others. He also directed an episode of Team Knight Rider.
Haitkin brought us some great images over the course of his career, and it’s sad to see him go. Our sincere condolences go out to his family, friends, and fans.