Search - Black Christmas (Special Edition) on DVD

Bridgett A. (Anya) from BALTIMORE, MD
Reviewed on 5/1/2009...

Much scarier than the remake although this one does not tell the story of Billy's background as the remake does. Not gorey but just plain scary. Hint, the ending is not the same as the remake.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Quite possibly the best horror film ever made.

M. Nichols | West Chester, OH United States | 10/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I stumbled upon this absolute gem of a film when navigating various reviews and favorite item lists and the overwhelming praise persuaded me to purchase this film before having seen it. I must say that I'm on the bandwagon; BLACK CHRISTMAS is, without a doubt, one of the best horror films I've ever seen.Pre-dating HALLOWEEN by several years, that classic is now somewhat diminished in my estimation, as it is obvious that John Carpenter lifted many of BLACK CHRISTMAS' finest elements for HALLOWEEN. 1979's WHEN A STRANGER CALLS was another attempt at a clone, the opening of which, previously considered by this reviewer to be one of the finer moments in horror film history, seems like mere child's play compared to the terrifying phone calls received in BLACK CHRISTMAS.A simple tale of a half-empty sorority house over the holidays, BLACK CHRISTMAS focuses on Olivia Hussey and housemates, including Margot Kidder and Andrea Martin, as they receive a series of sinister phone calls, starting as obscene and building towards terrifyingly unsettling, and those around them begin to disappear. The pacing is perfect and the performances are all top-notch. Well-written and expertly directed, the tension in BLACK CHRISTMAS is well-maintained, with no lulls in the story nor "fake" scares to cheat the audience.With remarkably little gore or bloodshed, BLACK CHRISTMAS nonetheless culminates in one of the most intense climaxes ever experienced in horror films. You'll have to see it for yourself to understand completely, but what is scariest about BLACK CHRISTMAS are the things you never know. Who is Billy? What did he do to baby Agnes? When will anyone find what's waiting in the attic?"

My Poor Mother ...

DonMac | Lynn, MA United States | 10/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We talked her into taking us to see this when it came out and she has never let us forget it. At the time, they even gave out little badges to the audience that said: It's Going to be a Black Christmas this Year. Wish I still had that!

Anyway one of the first, best slasher horror films ever. Halloween can say thanks. When a Stranger Calls can say thanks ... This is one scary flick. Sorority girls on campus over Christmas are, unknowingly, being slaughtered one at a time by a menancing stranger who will not stop calling their house.

Cast is fine re: suspects and gals in peril. Margot Kidder is very funny as the bad girl and the ending is, well, great! A classic."

The real Black Christmas in HD, but still not a definitive e

Hellbilly DRP | NC Piedmont | 12/23/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is no need to discuss what a classic the original Black Christmas is. That has been done at length by reviewers for other releases. This review is specifically for the Black Christmas [Blu-ray] edition.

The transfer and sound are great. There are still some traces of foreign matter visible from the print used, but this is the nicest copy you'll probably ever see on a home edition. I believe it is the same transfer used for the Special Edition in 2006.

The features are identical to the Special Edition release:
- 12 Days of Black Christmas featurette
- Midniht Q&A
- Interviews ( Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, and Art Hindle)
- 'Uncovered' Sound scenes


My only complaint is the lack of subtitles or commentaries, and for that reason I only give 4 stars. Apparently space limitations were the problem on the Special Edition. That would not be a problem on blu ray. It seems the rights to the commentaries from the 2002 Collector's Edition are owned by another company so those were not available, but it seems that new actor commentaries might have been obtained for this edition.

Sadly, Bob Clark was killed by a drunk driver in 2007. For fans wanting the director's commentary, the collector's edition is the only option and will become increasingly harder to obtain.

If you have the Special Edition and an upconvert dvd player you might give this one a miss, as there are no new features to speak of. If you have a blu ray player and don't already own the special edition, the Blu-ray edition is the way to go. Of course, you can hold out for a "Definitive Edition". There's always next Christmas..."