Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Santa's here... again... sans new special features, December 11, 2007
NOTE: The four stars are merely for the film and it's earlier DVD presentation.
I've been waiting for December 11th, 2007. Why? Because I'm a huge fan of the "Silent Night, Deadly Night" film series. Most folks either love the films or loathe them. For me, they're all guilty pleasures. Never 100% genre classics in the conventional sense (the first is the closest, while the 3rd has the benefit of a most-skilled director, Monte Hellman), but fun nonetheless.
Of course, this isn't the first time "Silent Night" has appeared on DVD. Anchor Bay previously released a double feature DVD in 2003, containing the original film in it's uncut, restored form along with the notoriously bad "Silent Night, Deadly Night, Part 2". While I was thrilled to have these films on DVD, it always irritated me that neither a theatrical trailer nor TV spot was included for the first film (there was a trailer included for "Part 2"). How could this be? Anyone who knows the history of SNDN also knows that the film itself wasn't the cause for the tremendous uproar from parental groups, everywhere. Rather, it was the actual publicity materials (movie posters and televised commercial spots, especially) that sparked the true controversy. There had already been Christmas-themed horror films, some even involved Santa-suited psychopathic slasher fiends, but none of which received the degree of SNDN's multimedia marketing saturation. These were the ads that freaked out the mass public and ultimately won SNDN it's forbidden reputation. Overwhelmed by the astounding negative attention (including a slew of horrible reviews), the film's distributor, Tri-Star Pictures, withdrew it from circulation and eventually disowned the film entirely. Ironically, Tri-Star distributed "Santa Claus: The Movie" the following year.
I've come to expect such goodies from Anchor Bay and was truly disappointed to find that no trailers or TV spots were made available. So, when I learned of a new edition, I was hopeful that it might include SOMETHING more.
With the latest DVD firmly in hand, my eyes delighted to the words "theatrical trailer" advertised prominently on the back cover. That was all the incentive I needed to plop $13 at the checkout counter. Sadly, after a quick spin in my DVD player, I discovered these words held no such relevance. No trailer to be found. Even though the packaging boasts "one of the most controversial slasher films of all time... uncut, uncensored and back like never before," this is the exact same pressing as the '03 release. Such a phrase should indicate a "fresh presentation" of sorts. If by "like never before" Anchor Bay meant that this release features newer, over-blurbed packaging and that the disc is no longer a double-sided one containing a sequel, then perhaps the statement is correct.
On the subject of having no new special features, why didn't Anchor Bay consider doing an interview with Miss Linnea Quigley just for this disc? It could have been easy. They actually had such an opportunity after previously interviewing her for their "Night Of The Demons" release. "Hey, Linnea... might we ask about 'Silent Night' now... for a possible future DVD re-release?" Guess not.
To summarize, really what we have here is a re-hash of Part 1 only, in exactly the same presentation as before. The catch being that this DVD is in print while the other is not. I want my thirteen dollars back... like never before! NAUGHTY! NAUGHTY! NAUGHTY!
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A quality cult christmas horror classic!, December 16, 2007
A small boy named Billy with his family have been traveling to see his grandpa at a mental institute in Utah, but grandpa tells Billy that Santa punishes naughty children and only gives presents to those that have been good leaving him frightened. During that night on their way home, they encounter a deranged lunatic in a Santa Claus outfit who murders his parents leaving him and his little brother to be orphaned. 4 years later they are at a orphanage runned by nuns especially the mean-spirited Mother Superior who punishes poor traumatized Billy who is scared of Santa Claus no thanks to that dark tragedy as it still haunts his mind. 10 years later, he's 18 years old and has a perfect job working at a toy store in town for the past months. Until Christmas which is his most loathed holiday, he gets a job playing the toy store's Santa Claus and later on Christmas Eve he snaps as he goes on a insane killing spree to punish those that have been naughty.
A shocking, gory and violent low budget horror slasher movie that became one of the most infamous and disturbing films of it's genre back in the early 80's, this movie was controversial in November of 1984 because of the subject matter and the fact that parents didn't like the idea of a homicidal Santa Claus. Tri-Star Pictures later pulled the film from out of theaters within the next few weeks but was released on video in a uncut format with footage to avoid an "X" rating. The film went on to become a cult favorite among horror fans especially for Linnea Quigley's appearence as a murder victim that gets skewered by Elk-horns and is one of the better "Halloween" imitators of it's time though not as excellent as "Black Christmas (1974)" it's still a solid holiday slasher flick that spawned a few sequels and a upcoming remake.
This DVD contains the uncut version that has some slightly good image even though some of the cut footage shown is a little grainy but that's alright and the sound is quite good with some good extras like a poster-and-still gallery, a gallery of outrage containing the controversy that sparked this movie with bad reviews and an audio interview with the director.
Also recommended: "Black Christmas (1974)", "The Shining", "Halloween Series plus 2007 remake", "Friday The 13th Series", "A Nightmare on Elm Street", "Freddy Vs. Jason", "Christmas Evil (a.k.a. You Better Watch Out)", "Gremlins", "High Tension (a.k.a. Haute Tension)", "The Toxic Avenger", "Psycho (1960)", "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer", "Mother's Day", "The Hills Have Eyes (1977 and 2006)", "Sleepaway Camp", "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Series plus 2003 remake and The Beginning", "Scream 1 & 2", "Tales from the Crypt (1972)", "Happy Birthday to Me", "Psycho II", "The Devil's Rejects", "Terror Train", "Hostel 1 & 2", "The New York Ripper", "Luther the Geek", "The Prowler", "Twitch of the Death Nerve (a.k.a. Bay of Blood)", "Graduation Day", "Prom Night", "Urban Legend", "The Funhouse", "Silence of the Lambs", "My Bloody Valentine", "Santa's Slay" and "The Toolbox Murders (1978 and 2004)".
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You see Santa Claus tonight you better run boy, you better run for ya life! , December 24, 2007
The Film :Silent Night Deadly Night
Year Made: 1984
Overview: A young boy witnesses the murder of his mom and dad. The child escapes and is raised in a orphanage where he is not well cared for. As a adult, the memories still haunt him from years ago. Once asked to put on a Santa Clause suit to entertain customers at his job, he can no longer keep the torment within. Unfortunately, those who are naughty will be seeing more red then just dreams of jolly old Saint Nicholas!
The package: 4 Stars. This review is for the 2007 release from Anchor Bay on DVD. The DVD case is really exciting to look at. All kinds of neat sayings and of course the famous photo adorns the cover of Santa holding his axe, on his way down the chimney of a house where someone has been very naughty that year! The DVD stays put in the holder very well and is easy to pop out. The inlay is very cool to look at, along with some very nice graphics on the disc itself. The extras included are very nice and I really enjoyed the interview with the director Mr Charles E. Seller JR. He gave some great insight into his thoughts about the film and anyone who opposes this film should give the interview a listen as to see that this man IS a class act who just wanted to make a great horror film and not cause people to be so upset. Their is a great photo gallery that is neat to look at also. Only bad thing and the only reason I did not give this package 5 stars is because it says that there is a trailer for the film on the box and there is none! I would have loved to have seen the trailer and if it's not going to be included then I just wish it had not been stated that it was on the box.
Spook Meter: 5 Stars. This film is scary and very intense to watch. What makes this gem of a film so great is the way it was shot. It was shot with a real place, real snow, and it just has this creepy look to the whole film as you watch it. I felt very much drawn into it in a emotional way. Many films try to go the easy way out and bring in snow machines for example on a scene and it just looks so lame. What you see here is the real deal and it just adds to the overall feel and creepiness to it. The actors and actresses played the parts perfectly! The film builds up at the perfect pace and it does not feel to rushed or to slow. Grandpa telling the boy about Santa was a highlight along with the sledding. I won't give out details but it is very well done and spooky to watch. I loved the music as well, as I felt it had a rawness about it that fit very well with what you were watching.
Gore/Violence Meter: 5 Stars. There is not much blood/gore but it is very violent and brutal to watch. The killing scenes will stick with you for a very long time after you finish watching this. Some films you watch and someone is killed and it just feels very fake. Silent night deadly night is NOT one of those films. The violence will pull your emotions out from the pit of your gut and you will be left with your mouth open thinking. How in the world did they do that? You know it's only acting but it feels so intense, it just draws you right in. With that said, I rate this meter high even though there is not tons of blood flow going on.
Profanity Meter: 4 Stars. There is quite a bit of bad language throughout the film. I strongly recommend a language blocker on your DVD player that can filter this out if you choose. Here is a breakdown of what you will hear. F*** Used 2 times. F***ing Used 1 time. God-D*** Used 1 time. Chri** Used 1 time. God, Oh my God, Used 7 times. Hell, Used 2 times. Bi*ch, Used 1 time. Dam, Used 1 time. Shi*, Used 2 times. Assh**e, Used 2 times. Bast**d, Used 3 times The term Wiseass is used 1 time.
Sexual Meter: 4 Stars. There is quite a few shots throughout that show a woman, naked from the top half, her breasts are shown. Quite a bit of sexual things shown in that aspect. People having sex, nothing too over the top but a guy touching a woman's breasts is shown more then once as well. I rate the sexual meter pretty high considering this film shows more in the nudity department, more so then most any other horror films ever do.
Final Thoughts: This is NOT a film that any kid should ever see. I LOVE this film from a horror aspect and the intence thought provoking emotions that this gem of a film does so very well at, and brings out of the viewer. Parents who get mad about a film like this should realize that they must control what a child would ever see. This is NO DIFFERENT then anything else that YOU must keep tract of what your kid watches, but don't complain about something that us older folks can enjoy. As a horror film buff, this is one of the all time classics and I can't say enough about how absolutly brilliant and completely amazing Silent Night Deadly Night is! I want to note also that this picture quality on this DVD is crisp and clear. I have Silent Night Deadly Night on DVD and on VHS. In fact I have two of the VHS classic big box releases that were made. There is just something really cool about those big boxes on VHS that are freaky to feast your eyes on. LOL. I almost do perfer the grainy look that a old VHS tape gives when watching this particular film. Somehow it makes it even more creepy to watch.
I hope you all enjoyed my review. Horror films aside for a moment.. I wish you all a Merry Christmas since it's 3:24AM as I type this. December 25, 2007 Christmas morning.
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