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Editorial Reviews
In 1970, three children were born during the height of a total eclipse of Saturn, the planet governing emotion. Ten years later these seemingly innocent children have become heartless killers able to move around under the radar of suspicion because of their youthful facades. What happens when a teenage girl and her younger brother stumble upon the horrible truth? Bonus Features: Anamorphic Widescreen Enhanced for 16x9 monitors| Director Bio| Bonus Trailers| Interview with legendary Producer Max Rossenberg| Scene Selection. Specs: DVD5; Dolby Digital Stereo; 85 minutes; Color; 1.78:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - R; Year - 1981; SRP - $5.99.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
In BLOODY BIRTHDAY, three sociopathic 10 year olds murder the town sheriff, their school-teacher (Susan Strasberg), and a slew of naked teens! I particularly enjoyed Timmy (K.C. Martel), the one kid who the terrible trio cannot seem to kill! They lock him in an old refrigerator- He escapes! They try to shoot him (twice)- He is saved! One of the little creeps even tries to push him from a high place, only to be interrupted by the telephone! Yep, Timmy is indestructible, which infuriates the homicidal tots to no end! Go Timmy! The maniacal threesome themselves are so bratty and psychotic, that I hoped for their demise! BD is the perfect early 80s drive-in movie, especially since none of the adult females are able to keep their clothes on for very long at all...
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Are children inherently evil? After watching such films as The Bad Seed (1956), The Brood (1979), Children of the Corn (1984), Devil Times Five (1974), Village of the Damned (1960), Children of the Damned (1963), Mikey (1992), The Godsend (1980), The Paper Boy (1994), The Good Son (1993), The Omen (1976), It's Alive (1974), and this film, Bloody Birthday (1981), I have to say yes, children are inherently evil little no-goodniks who spend most of their time thinking of ways to harm us adults...hell, look at the film Logan's Run (1976)...once you reached the age of 30, that was all she wrote...co-written and directed by Ed Hunt (Starship Invasions, Plague, The Brain), the film features Elizabeth Hoy (The Blues Brothers), Billy Jayne (Cujo, "Parker Lewis Can't Lose"), Andy Freeman (The Corpse Grinders 2), Lori Lethin (Return to Horror High), K.C. Martel (The Amityville Horror), Melinda Cordell ("The Young and the Restless"), and former MTV VJ West Coast Julie Brown (Earth Girls Are Easy, Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful), who's been a veritable on the Dr. Demento radio program with her song "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun". Also appearing (in bit parts) are José Ferrer (Dracula's Dog, The Swarm), Susan Strasberg (Taste of Fear, The Manitou), Joe Penny ("Riptide", "Jake and the Fatman"), Cyril O'Reilly (Porky's, Navy Seals), and Michael Dudikoff (Bachelor Party, American Ninja), in a `don't blink or you'll miss him' role.
As the title credits appear, I find myself watching something called `oody Birthda'...what the hell? I'll talk more about this later...once past the opening credits, we're told it's the year 1970, and José Ferrer is rushing into a hospital to deliver three babies from three, separate mothers...turns out all three babies are born about the same time, and during a solar eclipse (that smacks of bad mojo if you ask me). Fast-forward about ten years, and we see a young couple making out in the graveyard at night (nothing gets a girl hotter than tombstones and dead bodies). The pair is getting hot and heavy, but due to fear of being caught, they retire to a freshly dug, yet empty plot (now I'm really turned on). The noises persist, the man sticks his head up to check things out, and has a face to face meeting with the business end of a shovel...followed by the woman getting herself strangulated by a jump rope, and then the pair buried in the dirt...as the film progresses, we learn the three children born at the beginning of the movie are tight friends, and nearing their tenth birthday, for which a huge party is planned...there's Curtis (Jayne), Debbie (Hoy), and Steven (Freeman). They seem normal enough children...except for the fact all three are unconscionable, manipulative, killing machines, doling out death at any given opportunity...especially so if you cross them...which is what happens to high school student Joyce (Lethin) and her younger brother Timmy (Martel), whose parents happen to be out of town. Seems Timmy witnessed one of their crimes (although I don't think he fully understood what he was seeing), and now the terrible trio have decided he's got to go, along with his sister once she gets involved. And then let's not forget Miss Davis (Strasberg), the oh so strict elementary school teacher, who probably wouldn't be so bad if she ever had that steel rod surgically removed from her behind. Yes, this birthday is shaping up to be a real doozy, that is if there's anyone left to enjoy it...
I did like this movie. It may not have much of an actual story, but there is plenty of creepy thrills, quite a few chills, and even some laughs, if you have a gruesome sense of humor like me. One strength the film has is in the creation of suspense, which I wasn't expecting, as the three, little, seemingly innocent children lure various victims to their eventual doom. The death scenes may not be spectacular, but I don't think they were meant to be, as more focus was put towards the uneasy build up prior to these scenes. None of the performers stood out, but, then again, no one was raucously bad. José Ferrer and Susan Strasberg are prominently promoted as being in the film, but that's really just the filmmakers capitalizing on their fame, as Ferrer appeared for about a total of one minute, his time divided into two scenes, while Ms. Strasberg had a little larger role, but not much (she probably had all of about 5 minutes of screen time). One thing I did appreciate was the dialog wasn't awful, and director Hunt did manage to work the cast, which included a number of children (who can be notoriously difficult to work with), very well. I suppose the most memorable scene involved the character of Joyce, played by Julie Brown, who was the older sister to Debbie, one of the three, evil wee ones. Seems Debbie charges the neighborhood boys to peep on sis as she changes clothes, and business is good (one sequence has Brown, who has excellent mellonage, stripping down and dancing around to some lame rock music). Later on, after Joyce and Debbie have a falling out, Debbie puts her bow an arrow set to good use, luring Joyce to look through the hole by making noises on the other side of the wall...you can probably imagine what follows...besides Ms. Brown baring her assets (and her chest set), there are a couple other scenes, featuring other women, with some nice, all natural nekkidness, if you're into that kind of thing (I know I am). All in all a sinister, ghoulish thriller worth seeing if you're expectations aren't to high. Also, I think it's important to mention that while this movie did come out at the height of the popularity of the slasher genre in the early 80's, it's not of that ilk.
This VCI Entertainment release claims a widescreen (1.78:1) anamorphic print on the DVD case, but all I got was a full screen, extremely cropped picture, one noticeable from the beginning as the title is cut off. The picture quality on the DVD was decent, as was the Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, which wasn't always clear, but very loud. There are some extras available, like a bio on the director Ed Hunt, an interview with the producer Max Rosenberg (17:22), who looked about as old as dirt, riddled with liver spots, sporting a pair of binocular eyeglasses, and trailers for various VCI DVD releases like Kiss of the Tarantula (1976), Don't Open the Door (1975), and Homework (1982). Besides the false advertising, I didn't care for the cover art on the DVD case, which I think was originally used on a German promotional poster. The artwork has three children standing in front of a house, the whole affair making the film appear to be one about the supernatural, which wasn't the case. The original U.S. poster artwork was is much better, showing three or four children standing around the corpse of a woman, birthday candles planted on her chest, and one of the children holding a large knife, like he's getting ready to cut into a birthday cake.
Cookieman108
If I learned anything from this movie it's never to stare into holes in closet walls, junked refrigerators make poor hiding places, and beware of malicious looking children in groups of three.
As the title credits appear, I find myself watching something called `oody Birthda'...what the hell? I'll talk more about this later...once past the opening credits, we're told it's the year 1970, and José Ferrer is rushing into a hospital to deliver three babies from three, separate mothers...turns out all three babies are born about the same time, and during a solar eclipse (that smacks of bad mojo if you ask me). Fast-forward about ten years, and we see a young couple making out in the graveyard at night (nothing gets a girl hotter than tombstones and dead bodies). The pair is getting hot and heavy, but due to fear of being caught, they retire to a freshly dug, yet empty plot (now I'm really turned on). The noises persist, the man sticks his head up to check things out, and has a face to face meeting with the business end of a shovel...followed by the woman getting herself strangulated by a jump rope, and then the pair buried in the dirt...as the film progresses, we learn the three children born at the beginning of the movie are tight friends, and nearing their tenth birthday, for which a huge party is planned...there's Curtis (Jayne), Debbie (Hoy), and Steven (Freeman). They seem normal enough children...except for the fact all three are unconscionable, manipulative, killing machines, doling out death at any given opportunity...especially so if you cross them...which is what happens to high school student Joyce (Lethin) and her younger brother Timmy (Martel), whose parents happen to be out of town. Seems Timmy witnessed one of their crimes (although I don't think he fully understood what he was seeing), and now the terrible trio have decided he's got to go, along with his sister once she gets involved. And then let's not forget Miss Davis (Strasberg), the oh so strict elementary school teacher, who probably wouldn't be so bad if she ever had that steel rod surgically removed from her behind. Yes, this birthday is shaping up to be a real doozy, that is if there's anyone left to enjoy it...
I did like this movie. It may not have much of an actual story, but there is plenty of creepy thrills, quite a few chills, and even some laughs, if you have a gruesome sense of humor like me. One strength the film has is in the creation of suspense, which I wasn't expecting, as the three, little, seemingly innocent children lure various victims to their eventual doom. The death scenes may not be spectacular, but I don't think they were meant to be, as more focus was put towards the uneasy build up prior to these scenes. None of the performers stood out, but, then again, no one was raucously bad. José Ferrer and Susan Strasberg are prominently promoted as being in the film, but that's really just the filmmakers capitalizing on their fame, as Ferrer appeared for about a total of one minute, his time divided into two scenes, while Ms. Strasberg had a little larger role, but not much (she probably had all of about 5 minutes of screen time). One thing I did appreciate was the dialog wasn't awful, and director Hunt did manage to work the cast, which included a number of children (who can be notoriously difficult to work with), very well. I suppose the most memorable scene involved the character of Joyce, played by Julie Brown, who was the older sister to Debbie, one of the three, evil wee ones. Seems Debbie charges the neighborhood boys to peep on sis as she changes clothes, and business is good (one sequence has Brown, who has excellent mellonage, stripping down and dancing around to some lame rock music). Later on, after Joyce and Debbie have a falling out, Debbie puts her bow an arrow set to good use, luring Joyce to look through the hole by making noises on the other side of the wall...you can probably imagine what follows...besides Ms. Brown baring her assets (and her chest set), there are a couple other scenes, featuring other women, with some nice, all natural nekkidness, if you're into that kind of thing (I know I am). All in all a sinister, ghoulish thriller worth seeing if you're expectations aren't to high. Also, I think it's important to mention that while this movie did come out at the height of the popularity of the slasher genre in the early 80's, it's not of that ilk.
This VCI Entertainment release claims a widescreen (1.78:1) anamorphic print on the DVD case, but all I got was a full screen, extremely cropped picture, one noticeable from the beginning as the title is cut off. The picture quality on the DVD was decent, as was the Dolby Digital 2.0 audio, which wasn't always clear, but very loud. There are some extras available, like a bio on the director Ed Hunt, an interview with the producer Max Rosenberg (17:22), who looked about as old as dirt, riddled with liver spots, sporting a pair of binocular eyeglasses, and trailers for various VCI DVD releases like Kiss of the Tarantula (1976), Don't Open the Door (1975), and Homework (1982). Besides the false advertising, I didn't care for the cover art on the DVD case, which I think was originally used on a German promotional poster. The artwork has three children standing in front of a house, the whole affair making the film appear to be one about the supernatural, which wasn't the case. The original U.S. poster artwork was is much better, showing three or four children standing around the corpse of a woman, birthday candles planted on her chest, and one of the children holding a large knife, like he's getting ready to cut into a birthday cake.
Cookieman108
If I learned anything from this movie it's never to stare into holes in closet walls, junked refrigerators make poor hiding places, and beware of malicious looking children in groups of three.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
MTV had two Julie Browns, the black girl with the British accent, and the really hot red-head who had her own show titled 'Miss Julie Brown'. This movie stars the latter. And oh is she hot!
Three children of different parents from the same neighborhood are born on the same day during a lunar eclipse. They grow up together and are very close (and strange)! They are grade school murderous little imps that kill anyone they can.
The reason everyone wants this movie is for the sexualy exploiting Julie Brown scene. One of the little devils is Julie's younger sister. She charges her friends twenty-five cents to watch her undress. She has a secret hole in her closet that gives a perfect view to Julie's room. When one of the boys looks through the hole, he sees Julie undressing and gyrating to a forgetable 80's metal hair tune. The kid (and the camera) gets a great view of Julie's T&A.
By the way Julie ends up being shot through the eye with an arrow by her little sister. The three kid's plan to poisen a birthday cake and kill the whole family is foiled.......or is it?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
bloody birthday
julie has a nice body and shes hot. i love these classic movies. its not real gorey but its still kool. i give this movie 2 thumbs up.
Published 1 month ago by james hiatt
Somethings Very Wrong With Little Cindy
This is a great forgotten little slasher from the early 80's, 3 elementary age kids on a killing spree with zero remorse or conscience, entertaining, good pace, good kills,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cass G
Blow Out The Candles...With Blood!
While I certainly can't say Bloody Birthday is a good film, that's completely subjective, I can say that it requires few brain cells, a passion for late-night cable slasher fare... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Brian Harris
Bloody Birthday
Typical and boring,3 littlebrats who are out killing,let's see how many Horror movies Have I seen where as usual kids have no souls or no mercy and they inflict harm? Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jose Lopez
The 2011 DVD release is much better then the 2003 DVD release
I first saw this film one late night on cable, and I thought it was interesting enough to buy on DVD and add it to my horror film collection, I did some quick research online and I... Read more
Published 5 months ago by River rose
Bloody Birthday Review
Saw this on TCM late at night. They actually show boobies in one quick scene. Odd little movie, with cold Blooded kids (not related) born at the same time of an eclipse. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Buyer Bob
SHOCKED At How Good This Was!
I was aware of this film, but I have always avoided it because I figured "who wants to watch a movie with a bunch of bratty kids who can't act"? Read more
Published 10 months ago by russianimp
PREPUBESCENT PSYCHOS
Deep down I know that BLOODY BIRTHDAY is not a very good movie. It's full of genre cliches, the acting is mediocre at best. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Michael Butts
Fun killer kids flick
Watching these kids kill was a bit disturbing at times. The naked ladies were beautiful. The story maintained my interest. The acting was fine. Read more
Published 10 months ago by nothingt5
Kids Gone Wild
After watching Bloody Birthday I was confused why Turner Classic Movie channel thought this film was worthy of a late Friday night viewing. Read more
Published 13 months ago by David M. Yates
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