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[tab title="Movie Review"]
Released in 1984, Charles E. Sellier Jr’s Silent Night, Deadly Night did for Christmas what John Carpenter did for trick or treating: memorialize the day with a seriously twisted flick that continues to live on long past its expiration date. And here we are yet again with another solid blu-ray treatment of this killer cult classic, this time by Scream Factory.
While arguably not as popular as the coveted Halloween franchise, Sellier’s movie definitely does not disappoint b-movie enthusiasts longing for a grisly time of merrymaking. After all, seeing Santa maim unlucky teenagers with a blood-speckled axe is just as wondrously disturbing as Michael Meyers hiding behind a pasty Captain Kirk mask.
Silent Night, Deadly Night begins inauspiciously enough with a family trip to see a catatonic Grandpa in an old folks home. When the parents around; however, the spooky old patriarch yanks Billy to his side and warns him that Santa is coming and he doesn’t like bad people so, if he sees him, he should run away. “So be good for goodness sake” or something cheery like that.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, a criminal – dressed in Santa gear – is planning a night of mayhem. His crime spree starts with a confrontation in a gas station and is about to cross paths with Billy and his parents, leaving Billy with a permanent Santa scar. We’re talking murder and rape, right before Billy and his baby brother’s eyes. Deck the halls with parts of Charlie indeed.
Billy (Robert Brian Wilson) grows into a strapping young man under the strict eye of the nuns at the local orphanage. Encouraged by the Sisters, he lands his first job (and is successful as evident by the hysterically funny thumbs-up montage) inside a toy store where he stocks the shelves and silently dreads the upcoming Christmas season. Soon there will be reminders of his Santa slaying past everywhere.
Little does he know that the department store manager (Britt Leach) wants him to play Santa for all the eager kiddos ready to share their wants with the visitor from the North Pole. After being mistreated by a female staff member (Toni Nero) who leads him on, Billy begins to slip under the pressure. This is the night Billy, completely in Santa suit, completely flips his lid and begins his own murderous rampage.
Written by Paul Caimi and Michael Hickey, Silent Night, Deadly Night is a warped darling of the underground. It is an extremely low-budget shoot and the acting might be comical but none of that stops its vision of Christmas carnage beneath the mistletoe. It has all the horror staples one would expect – the classic set-up, the nudity, the blood, the guts, etc. - but delivers them with some head-spinning moments of maniacal glee worthy of a visit to the therapist’s chair.
This is a film that elicits all sorts of reactions. Some are mortified by the violence and rape; the horrible acting turns others off. Either way, you have to know what you are in for when the picture digs its heels in and delivers one wacky character after another. Silent Night, Deadly Night earned horrible reviews in its original release. The sequels that followed garnered worse. It might not be the prettiest of wrapped presents beneath the Christmas tree but it is the bloodiest and surely that has to count for something with someone.
Seasons Bleedings!
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[tab title="Details"]
MPAA Rating: R.
Runtime: 79 mins
Director: Charles E. Sellier Jr.
Writer: Paul Caimi
Cast: Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, Toni Nero
Genre: Horror
Tagline: You've made it through Halloween, now try and survive Christmas.
Memorable Movie Quote: "Can you believe this? It's Christmas Eve and we got orders to bring in Santa Claus."
Theatrical Distributor: TriStar Pictures
Official Site:
Release Date: November 9, 1984
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: December 5, 2017
Synopsis: Silent Night, Deadly Night is the heartwarming story of little Billy Chapman who was traumatized by his parents' Christmas Eve murder, then brutalized by sadistic orphanage nuns. But when grown-up Billy is to dress as jolly St. Nick, he goes on a yuletide rampage to "punish the naughty!" Santa Claus is coming to town ... and this time he's got an axe! Robert Brian Wilson and Scream Queen Linnea Quigley star in this jaw-dropping horror classic that a nation of angry mothers still cannot stop!
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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]
Blu-ray Details:
Home Video Distributor: Shout Factory
Available on Blu-ray - December 5, 2016
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set
Region Encoding: Locked to Region A
Scream Factory’s new 4K scan of Silent Night, Deadly Night’s original 35mm negative is damn impressive. Colors are pumped up. Shadows are more defined than ever. Interior scenes have depth and warmth and the exterior shots feel alive and vibrant. There are textures in the clothes of the cast and, overall, a bit more vibrancy to what has previously been issued on 1080p. The sound is presented in a thunderous DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 that adds a bit more thump to some of the action scenes. The aspect ratio of the release is 1.85:1.
Supplements:
Commentary:
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Included with this release are new Commentaries with actor Robert Brian Wilson And Co-Executive Producer Scott Schneid and another with Michael Hickey, Perry Boykin, Scott J. Schneid, and Michael Spence.
Special Features:
Scream Factory loads their handling of this Christmas classic with lots of supplemental material. This release is one to own. The breakdown is as follows:
DISC ONE: Theatrical Version
- NEW 4K Scan Of The Original Camera Negative
- R-Rated Theatrical Trailer & VHS Trailer
- TV Spots
- Radio Spot
DISC TWO: Extended Unrated Version
- NEW 4K Scan Of The Original Camera Negative With Standard Definition Inserts
- NEW Slay Bells Ring: The Story Of Silent Night, Deadly Night – Featuring Interviews With Writer Michael Hickey, Co-Executive Producers Scott J. Schneid And Dennis Whitehead, Editor/Second Unit Director Michael Spence, Composer Perry Botkin, And Actor Robert Brian Wilson
- NEW Oh Deer! – An Interview With Linnea Quigley
- NEW Christmas In July – Silent Night, Deadly Night Locations – Then And Now
- NEW Audio Commentary With Actor Robert Brian Wilson And Co-Executive Producer Scott J. Schneid
- Audio Commentary With Michael Hickey, Perry Boykin, Scott J. Schneid, and Michael Spence
- Audio Interview With Director Charles E. Sellier, Jr. From Deadpit Radio (Extended Version)
- Santa’s Stocking Of Outrage
- Poster And Still Gallery
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