Black Christmas (1974)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Bob Clark

Writer:

Roy Moore (writer)

Release Date:

20 December 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

If this movie doesn't make your skin crawl... It's On Too Tight!

Plot:

A sorority house is terrorized by a stranger who makes frightening phone calls and then murders the sorority sisters during Christmas break.

Plot Keywords:

Psychopathic Killer | Hockey | Psycho Killer | Rope | Attraction

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Olivia Hussey	...	Jessica Bradford
Keir Dullea	...	Peter Smythe
Margot Kidder	...	Barbie Coard
John Saxon	...	Lieutenant Kenneth Fuller
Marian Waldman	...	Mrs. Mac
Andrea Martin	...	Phyllis Carlson
James Edmond	...	Mr. Harrison
Doug McGrath	...	Sergeant Nash (as Douglas McGrath)
Art Hindle	...	Chris Hayden
Lynne Griffin	...	Clare Harrison
Michael Rapport	...	Patrick
Leslie Carlson	...	Graham (as Les Carlson)
Martha Gibson	...	Mrs. Quaife
John Rutter	...	Detective Wynman
Robert Warner	...	Doctor

Also Known As:

Noël tragique (Canada: French title)
Silent Night, Evil Night
Stranger in the House (USA) (TV title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) | Argentina:18 | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Iceland:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-18 (DVD) (self applied) (2004) (2007) | USA:TV-MA | Argentina:X (original rating) | Australia:R | Norway:16 (1976) | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Grenadier Lake, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Film Funding Ltd. of Canada

Trivia:

The role of Lieutenant Fuller was originally supposed to be played by Edmond O'Brien, but due to failing health he had to be replaced. John Saxon was brought in at the last minute.

Goofs:

Continuity: The outside of the sorority house says pi kappa sigma. A picture hung inside the house says pi beta phi.

Quotes:

Chris Hayden: Nash, you stupid son of a bitch, you've got a big god damn mouth!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Filthy (2003)

Soundtrack:

Black Christmas Killer's Theme

Amazing

It's not often that you find a film in the thriller/horror genre that has something "new" to say, so it's even more exciting to find that one of the original films in the "slasher" genre is actually still one of the freshest, most unique and utterly entertaining of them all. This is the kind of movie you can't wait to tell your friends about, knowing full well they've probably never seen it, but they've heard of it.

Everything about this film is stellar. The acting, to steal the words of a great reviewer who loves this movie, is flawless. The direction is confident and assured. What is Bob Clark's story? How did he go from making quirky, ground-breaking horror to...well..."Baby Geniuses 2?" His black-humored wit is on display in all his movies, and here too. Margot Kidder and Marian Waldman shine as foul-mouthed alcohol abusers. Particularly Kidder--it's hard to believe she did this at the BEGINNING of her career, she's that assured...and fun to watch. Olivia Hussey is alluring as the lead, Jessica, and her beauty, as well as her speaking voice are a welcome presence.

The plot might seem clichéd now, until you understand that it was all the movies that came AFTER that were the clichés--even "He Knows Your Alone," which seemed so vital at the time, can't compare. "Black Christmas" is a FILM, and goes beyond the conventions of a cheap slasher. The key is the ending--only a director with an artistic sensibility would have fought for it (no spoilers here). Suffice to say, in all the slashers I've watched I've never seen the equal. It's a tricky business to sum up a mystery in a plot, and few can maintain the element of surprise, intelligence or creativity required. You will NOT see the ending coming here, and though the end is a surprise, it works well.

If you're like I was and hesitating to watch this because you think it'll just be "another fear film," don't waste anymore time! You will NOT be sorry you spent your Christmas "black..."