Black Christmas (film, 1974)

See also: Black Christmas

Black Christmas is a Canadian film carried out by Bob Clark, left in 1974.

Synopsis

Black Christmas is what one can consider the first truth slasher (after Psycho of A. Hitchcock which is not really one) and before that which is regarded as the film headlight of the kind, Halloween of John Carpenter. In fact, number of the ideas of Black Christmas were taken again by Carpenter, such as for example the reason for the intrusion of a killer in the house or (especially) the technique of the subjective camera (the spectator sees through the eyes of the killer) which one says (wrongly) that he is the inventor. The history takes seat in a sorority (the equivalent of a fraternity), i.e. a pension of girls, at the period of Christmas. Some young women are brought together for Christmas, whom they do not pass in their respective families. The strange ones and sordid phone calls disturb the quietude of the evening but the girls have fun some without suspecting that the calls come from the interior of the house where the killer was established. Very a good film which finds all its intensity in its sobriety, paradoxically. The history, not necessarily complex is been useful by an interpretation solid and convinced of the young actresses (in particular Margot Kidder of which the character of " Barb" is irresistible and even touching). Some scenes are of a violence enough surprising for the time! It is rather incomprehensible that this film was forgotten in favor of the " légendaire" Halloween which can frankly redden of its Canadian model of 1974!

Data sheet

  • Title: Black Christmas
  • Realization: Bob Clark
  • Scenario: Roy Moore
  • Production: Bob Clark, Gerry Arbeid, Richard Schouten and Findlay Quinn
  • Production companies: August Films, Canadian Film Development Corporation, Famous Players and Warner Bros. Pictures
  • Budget: 686.000 Canadian dollars (450 000 euros)
  • Music: Carl Zittrer
  • Photography: Reginald H. Morris
  • Assembly: Stan Sticks
  • Artistic director: Karen Bromley
  • Costumes: Debi Weldon
  • Country of origin: Canada
  • Format: Colors - 1,37:1 - Mono - 35 mm
  • Kind: Horror, thriller
  • Lasted: 98 minutes
  • Comings out date: October 11th 1974 (Canada), December 20th 1974 (the United States)

Distribution

  • Olivia Hussey : Jessica Bradford
  • Keir Dullea: Peter Smythe
  • Margot Kidder: Barbie Coard
  • Saxon John: lieutenant Kenneth Fuller
  • Marian Waldman: Mrs. Mac
  • Andrea Martin: Phyllis Carlson
  • James Edmond: Mr. Harrison
  • Doug McGrath: the sergeant Nash
  • Art Hindle: Chris Hayden
  • Lynne Griffin : Clare Harrison
  • Michael Report/ratio: Patrick
  • Leslie Carlson: Graham
  • Martha Gibson : Mrs. Quaife
  • John Rutter: the detective Wynman
  • Robert Warner: the doctor

Around film

  • turning was held March 25th with the May 11th 1974 with Toronto and the Université of Toronto, with the Canada.
  • the film made the object of a Remake, also titrated Black Christmas , carried out by Glen Morgan in 2006.
  • the roles of Mrs. Mac and Peter had first of all been proposed with Bette Davis and Malcolm McDowell.
  • Keir Dullea worked only one week on film, forever met Margot Kidder, and that very briefly John Saxon, but the assembly was carried out so that it gives the impression which it appears throughout film.
  • the role of lieutenant Fuller should have been played by Edmond O' Brien, but because of health issues, was replaced at the last minute by John Saxon.
  • the phone calls obscenes were carried out by several people, of which the realizer Bob Clark and the actor Nick Mancuso.
  • the idea of a killer who passes his phone calls since the dwelling even of the victim was taken again a few years later by Fred Walton in his Terreur on the line (1979).

Original soundtrack

  • Silent Night
  • O, Like All Ye Faitful
  • Jingle Bels
  • It' S the Most Wonderful Time off the Year
  • Black Christmas Killer' S Topic
  • Tubular Bels

Distinctions

External bonds

  • Black Christmas on Internet Movie Database
  • Critical DevilDead

Random links:Rageade | Panics in Mangin Palace | The Statues die too | Os Williams | Wednesday me all | Chagan_(essai_nucléaire)