Search - Black Christmas on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1974 DVD Release: 11/06/2001 Format: DVD SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Eclectic DVD Dist. Members Wishing: 6 Genres: Horror, Slasher Film See Also: Black Christmas [Collector's Edition], Black Christmas [Special Edition], Black Christmas, Black Christmas [Blu-ray]

Although this Canadian production saw its widest U.S. cable TV distribution in the early '80s (primarily under the title Stranger in the House) to capitalize on the phenomenal success of Halloween and its offspring, this effective suspense-thriller actually predates John Carpenter's film by four years. The story involves a dangerous psychopath hiding out in the attic of a sorority house who torments a small group of pretty young sisters (including Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder) who are staying behind over Christmas break. His tactics range from making obscene phone calls from their house-mother's phone, to stalking the terrified boarders with sharp objects and murderous intent. Director Bob Clark, who mistook dreariness for tension in his previous horror effort Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things! (1972), here demonstrates a tight, aggressive style that generates some very original shocks -- particularly the surprise ending -- which clearly influenced dozens of similarly-themed slasher films to follow. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Olivia Hussey - Jessica Bradford
Keir Dullea - Peter Smythe
Margot Kidder - Barbie Coard
Andrea Martin - Phyllis Carlson
John Saxon - Lieutenant Kenneth Fuller

This cult slasher favorite was the blueprint for the teen horror genre in many ways (school setting, "good girl" heroine, "bad girl" victims, black humor, plot twists, etc. . .) but Black Christmas only receives a fair budget DVD release from Music Video Distributors. The digitally remastered source print is relatively clean but the movie is only presented in the full-frame/pan & scan aspect ratio. The audio transfer is fine but those expecting a Matrix style sound design should keep in mind that Black Christmas is a Canadian flick made in 1974 (that said, it's also very creatively made on a tight budget). The disc also features a theatrical trailer and an extended interview with star John Saxon, which is amusing because Black Christmas has an excellent young cast -- especially when compared to the famously wooden Saxon. During this period Saxon was so busy running all over the globe shooting B-movies and cheapies that he doesn't really remember much about making Black Christmas. Still, it's hard to dislike the actor and genre buffs will enjoy the interview. There is also a DVD collector's edition of Black Christmas put out by Critical Mass Releasing. It is in widescreen and comes loaded with compelling extras but it is also twice as expensive as this budget disc. ~ Nick Dedina, All Movie Guide