Starring: Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, Toni Nero, Robert Brian Wilson,
Britt Leach, Nancy Borgenicht, H.E.D. Redford.
Directed by: Charles E. Sellier Jr.
Story: After his parents are murdered, a young tormented teenager goes on
a murderous rampage dressed as Santa, due to his stay at an orphanage
were he was abused by the Mother Superior.
Review:
I first saw this movie when I was 12 years old at a slumber party. I'd talked
my friends into renting it after seeing large crowds on television protesting
the film. This peaked my interest. The film was released around the time of
the success of such films as Friday the 13th, etc. Director Charles E. Sellier
Jr., who previously had won an Emmy and produced many TV shows, cut a
deal with TriStar pictures and green lit the film which was based on a novel
called "Slayride." After the films release, he found himself in the middle of a
major controversy which eventually led to TriStar banishing the film from any
domestic exhibition in the U.S. during the Christmas season. The film was
officially banned in 1985. Why was it banned you ask?
Well when little Jimmy is at home and sees a commercial for a movie with a
dude dressed as Santa running after someone with an axe, little Jimmy cries
to mommy, and mommy starts writing letters, and Christmas is ruined. On
with the plot: The film starts off with a family of four on a road trip to see
our central characters (Billy, age 5) deranged grandfather at a mental
hospital. The grandfather, believed to be non-speaking, starts talking to Billy
once his parents leave the room. Crazy Grandpa (Will Hare) scares little Billy,
telling him Santa punishes children if they've been bad. So obviously little Billy
has already gotten his mind set on the big guy being' a little scary. The family
leaves the hospital and comes across a man dressed as Santa Clause who
appears to be having car trouble. Billy's father pulls over the car (big
mistake). Bad Santa who's already robbed and shot a convenience store
worker that night, proceeds to shoot Billy's father and rape and kill his
mother. Billy, who is nice and safe in a hiding spot, witnesses the whole thing.
The film continues following Billy, now age 8, in his experiences at an
orphanage run a mean Mother Superior who is a big supporter of the 'spare
the rod and spoil the child' mentality. Here Billy becomes even more
traumatized as Mother Superior beats him senseless for acting out during
Christmas, and forces him to sit on Santa’s lap. We cut to ten years later,
and Billy is now completely grown and a studly young man with muscles.
Sister Margaret (Gilmer McCormick) who had always felt sorry for Billy finds
him a job at a toy store hauling around boxes. So everything's going really
fantastic until the guy playing Santa Clause at the toy store breaks his ankle
and Billy is asked to replace him for the remainder of the season. So needless
to say, Billy's starts to loose it.
Finally, it's Christmas Eve and the boss man Mr. Sims (Britt Leach of 'Weird
Science') locks up for the night, and he breaks out the booze and everyone’s
getting a little toasty. Billy sees his co-worker crush Pamela go into the back
room with the resident asshole. As Billy follows, he finds him forcing himself
upon her. Billy looses it, which leads us into a killing spree and surprising
ending which I will leave unspoiled. Despite all the films criticisms, I really think
what the story is really about wasn't taken into consideration. This isn't a
story about defacing the image of Santa Clause. It's a very psychological look
at phobias, child trauma, and exactly how much it can take to really make a
person snap. I think it was also done very well. Billy's reasons for acting out
all made complete sense taking into consideration what he had seen, what he
knew, and all the events leading up to his killing spree. It makes you wonder
if you should believe him to be a monster, or just feel sorry him.
The acting was above par, no Oscars here, but the actors were definitely
believable and well cast. Linnea Quigley makes another naked appearance as
babysitter Denise who has one of the most memorable death scenes in the
movie. Classic death scenes all around in this flick. The effects look really
great and would make any gore fan smile. All in all, Silent Night Deadly Night
is a must watch. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and will forever
remain an infamous horror classic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall: 7/10
Britt Leach, Nancy Borgenicht, H.E.D. Redford.
Directed by: Charles E. Sellier Jr.
Story: After his parents are murdered, a young tormented teenager goes on
a murderous rampage dressed as Santa, due to his stay at an orphanage
were he was abused by the Mother Superior.
Review:
I first saw this movie when I was 12 years old at a slumber party. I'd talked
my friends into renting it after seeing large crowds on television protesting
the film. This peaked my interest. The film was released around the time of
the success of such films as Friday the 13th, etc. Director Charles E. Sellier
Jr., who previously had won an Emmy and produced many TV shows, cut a
deal with TriStar pictures and green lit the film which was based on a novel
called "Slayride." After the films release, he found himself in the middle of a
major controversy which eventually led to TriStar banishing the film from any
domestic exhibition in the U.S. during the Christmas season. The film was
officially banned in 1985. Why was it banned you ask?
Well when little Jimmy is at home and sees a commercial for a movie with a
dude dressed as Santa running after someone with an axe, little Jimmy cries
to mommy, and mommy starts writing letters, and Christmas is ruined. On
with the plot: The film starts off with a family of four on a road trip to see
our central characters (Billy, age 5) deranged grandfather at a mental
hospital. The grandfather, believed to be non-speaking, starts talking to Billy
once his parents leave the room. Crazy Grandpa (Will Hare) scares little Billy,
telling him Santa punishes children if they've been bad. So obviously little Billy
has already gotten his mind set on the big guy being' a little scary. The family
leaves the hospital and comes across a man dressed as Santa Clause who
appears to be having car trouble. Billy's father pulls over the car (big
mistake). Bad Santa who's already robbed and shot a convenience store
worker that night, proceeds to shoot Billy's father and rape and kill his
mother. Billy, who is nice and safe in a hiding spot, witnesses the whole thing.
The film continues following Billy, now age 8, in his experiences at an
orphanage run a mean Mother Superior who is a big supporter of the 'spare
the rod and spoil the child' mentality. Here Billy becomes even more
traumatized as Mother Superior beats him senseless for acting out during
Christmas, and forces him to sit on Santa’s lap. We cut to ten years later,
and Billy is now completely grown and a studly young man with muscles.
Sister Margaret (Gilmer McCormick) who had always felt sorry for Billy finds
him a job at a toy store hauling around boxes. So everything's going really
fantastic until the guy playing Santa Clause at the toy store breaks his ankle
and Billy is asked to replace him for the remainder of the season. So needless
to say, Billy's starts to loose it.
Finally, it's Christmas Eve and the boss man Mr. Sims (Britt Leach of 'Weird
Science') locks up for the night, and he breaks out the booze and everyone’s
getting a little toasty. Billy sees his co-worker crush Pamela go into the back
room with the resident asshole. As Billy follows, he finds him forcing himself
upon her. Billy looses it, which leads us into a killing spree and surprising
ending which I will leave unspoiled. Despite all the films criticisms, I really think
what the story is really about wasn't taken into consideration. This isn't a
story about defacing the image of Santa Clause. It's a very psychological look
at phobias, child trauma, and exactly how much it can take to really make a
person snap. I think it was also done very well. Billy's reasons for acting out
all made complete sense taking into consideration what he had seen, what he
knew, and all the events leading up to his killing spree. It makes you wonder
if you should believe him to be a monster, or just feel sorry him.
The acting was above par, no Oscars here, but the actors were definitely
believable and well cast. Linnea Quigley makes another naked appearance as
babysitter Denise who has one of the most memorable death scenes in the
movie. Classic death scenes all around in this flick. The effects look really
great and would make any gore fan smile. All in all, Silent Night Deadly Night
is a must watch. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and will forever
remain an infamous horror classic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall: 7/10
Genres: Horror
Rated: R
Country: USA
Year: 1984
Runtime: 79 minutes
Studio: Anchor Bay
IMDB Page
Amazon Page
Rated: R
Country: USA
Year: 1984
Runtime: 79 minutes
Studio: Anchor Bay
IMDB Page
Amazon Page
Online since: February 20th, 2006
Review done by: Michelle Fatale
