One has to pity poor Billy: as a five year old child he was left alone with a grandfather (Will Hare) who'd filled his head with disturbing ideas about the beloved character of Saint Nick. Chief among them the idea that Santa does not merely withhold presents from naughty children, but actually severely punishes them. Later that night, he has to watch as a nasty lowlife criminal (Charles Dierkop), dressed in a Santa costume, murders his parents. His next 13 years at an orphanage are dominated by the presence of a brutal Mother Superior (Lilyan Chauvin) who believes punishment is the solution to all of life's problems. Billy grows up to become a strapping, hunky 18 year old (Robert Brian Wilson) who will clearly never get over his trauma; when he's made to dress up in a Santa costume himself at his place of employment, he finally snaps for good, and begins violently killing people.
The extremely memorable slasher movie that motivated many people to righteous fury with its gleefully tasteless content, it's of course for certain tastes only. But if you favour any movie that turns the holiday season on its head, and delight in the dark and disturbing (and trashy, and silly, to boot), this movie is a must see. Part of what makes it work so well is the sympathy one can feel for our antagonist; Wilson is extremely effective in the role, and those children playing Billy at younger ages do a fine job as well. Regarding the trash content, viewers can take pleasure in the flesh bared by Toni Nero (as Pamela), Tara Buckman (as Billy's mom), and especially Linnea Quigley, who has one riotously ridiculous scene where she opens a door on a cold night wearing next to nothing, and whose demise has to be the highlight of the whole thing. The gory violence is parcelled out carefully but quite enjoyable when it comes. There's some hysterical dark humour to be seen in sequences such as a fatal sled ride and the fate of the unfortunate Father O'Brien. Perry Botkins' creepy music and Henning Schellerups' slick cinematography are assets, as well as great performances by Chauvin as the unyielding Mother Superior, Gilmer McCormick as Sister Margaret (the one person who shows any real sympathy towards Billy), Britt Leach as toy store owner Mr. Sims, Dierkop (who's damn scary), and Hare (who's an absolute hoot). The location filming in Utah also really adds to the atmosphere. There's even an extremely cheesy montage sequence accompanied by an appropriately cheesy tune with the absurd title of "The Warm Side of the Door".
Followed by an amazing four (!) sequels and a remake, "Silent Night Deadly Night" should prove to be good fun for horror fans, delivering lurid thrills for an amusing 79 minutes (85 minutes in uncut form).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go punish the naughty...
Eight out of 10.
The extremely memorable slasher movie that motivated many people to righteous fury with its gleefully tasteless content, it's of course for certain tastes only. But if you favour any movie that turns the holiday season on its head, and delight in the dark and disturbing (and trashy, and silly, to boot), this movie is a must see. Part of what makes it work so well is the sympathy one can feel for our antagonist; Wilson is extremely effective in the role, and those children playing Billy at younger ages do a fine job as well. Regarding the trash content, viewers can take pleasure in the flesh bared by Toni Nero (as Pamela), Tara Buckman (as Billy's mom), and especially Linnea Quigley, who has one riotously ridiculous scene where she opens a door on a cold night wearing next to nothing, and whose demise has to be the highlight of the whole thing. The gory violence is parcelled out carefully but quite enjoyable when it comes. There's some hysterical dark humour to be seen in sequences such as a fatal sled ride and the fate of the unfortunate Father O'Brien. Perry Botkins' creepy music and Henning Schellerups' slick cinematography are assets, as well as great performances by Chauvin as the unyielding Mother Superior, Gilmer McCormick as Sister Margaret (the one person who shows any real sympathy towards Billy), Britt Leach as toy store owner Mr. Sims, Dierkop (who's damn scary), and Hare (who's an absolute hoot). The location filming in Utah also really adds to the atmosphere. There's even an extremely cheesy montage sequence accompanied by an appropriately cheesy tune with the absurd title of "The Warm Side of the Door".
Followed by an amazing four (!) sequels and a remake, "Silent Night Deadly Night" should prove to be good fun for horror fans, delivering lurid thrills for an amusing 79 minutes (85 minutes in uncut form).
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go punish the naughty...
Eight out of 10.