Black Christmas (1974)

Director:

Bob Clark

Writer:

Roy Moore (screenplay)

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:

Sorority | Christmas | Sorority House | Police | Holiday

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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

Also Known As:

Noël tragique (Canada: French title)
Silent Night, Evil Night (USA) (wide-release title)
Stop Me (Canada: English title) (working title)
Stranger in the House (USA) (TV title)

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:12 | Canada:R (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Argentina:18 (re-rating) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Iceland:16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Finland:K-18 (DVD) (self applied) (2004) (2007) | USA:TV-MA | Argentina:X (original rating) | UK:X (original rating) | Canada:14A (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2008) | 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:

During an interview with director Bob Clark, Clark said Olivia Hussey's decision to take the role of Jess was based upon advice given to her by a psychic. According to Clark, Hussey said her psychic believed that the film would be successful and a wise career choice for her. She took the role.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Claire Harrison enters her room there's no Christmas decoration on the door. Afterwards a bow shows up on the same door.

Quotes:

The Killer: Agnes, It's Billy! Don't tell what we did!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Saw (2004)

Soundtrack:

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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..."