One of the original slasher films and the best IMHO, The 70's was a great time for movies many minor classics from that period often overlooked now a days.
Several people did the phone "voices" and "Billy" talking to himselves. Director Bob Clark {who also IS "Billy" in the shadows} Actor Nick Mancuso Several female actors In the POV shots, "Billy" is considered to be "played" by cameraman Albert J. Dunk
AHH IM SO HAPPY U REACTED TO BLACK CHRISTMAS. some nice info; bob clark (the director, who also directed a christmas story) actually told john carpenter (director of halloween) that if he ever planned on making a sequel to black christmas, it would be about billy being caught at the end, and being institutionalized, then escaping and going back to stalk a new group of girls who now live at the home and call it "Halloween". he told him this 4 years before Halloween was made. I guess it's safe to say John was heavily inspired :)
@@scottnorris8071 Baby Geniuses, too. I've heard Bob Clark explaining that to Carpenter is a myth. I've always thought that was true, but I've heard recently it's a myth. I would have to rewatch the behind the scenes stuff. And I can't recall where I heard it's a myth.
@@Nope2022HugeTheWarningFan I've heard that Carpenter denies the conversation ever took place. However, it is clear that he was inspired by BC as he clearly pays homage to it in several ways with Halloween.
Loved this reaction!!! Just love that this is the Godfather of slasher movies!!! The influences are so poignant; the cop outside watching the house being killed, the call coming from inside the house, the final girl checking on her friends just like Laurie did in “Halloween” when she goes across the street to check on her friends, and the finishing shots of the rooms in the house that suggests that the killer could be anywhere!!!
After the film finished you were tight in what you said, this is a masterpiece!. I first saw this at the cinema many, many years ago and it was a genuinely creepy experience. I think this is the best slasher/proto slasher ever made, and yes I do think it's better than Halloween and Friday 13th, but I still love those too but Black Christmas has always been one of my top 10 favourite movies and watching it is a Christmas night tradition in my house. Great reaction by the way.
Yeah it's better than Halloween (2007) and Halloween (2018) lol..I can't accept the word ''better'' if you mean better than the classic 1978 Halloween cause the classic Halloween is a masterpiece
Ehhhh… Different strokes. I think Halloween is technically more impressive and is much more suspenseful at points. Black Christmas is very visceral and unpleasant in a way Halloween isn’t, but Halloween isn’t really going for that. It’s much more low-key and meticulous with how it establishes and frames it’s killer. Michael Myers is portrayed more like a quiet, malevolent specter or phantom observing and obstructing the scene, eerily creeping in without a sound. Billy and how he’s portrayed is the exact opposite, but arguably more terrifying despite being much less eerie. The noises he makes alone are just inhuman and disturbing. The chase scene towards the end is indescribably tense because of this, and because he’s never shown on-camera. He’s a very loud, agonizing, deranged person, and the movie likewise feels a bit loose, erratic, and bizarre compared to Halloween. It’s not quite as tight or visually stylish as Halloween, but Halloween also has some stupid/lazy writing choices that bother me, albeit very small ones and very few of them. I dunno, my heart goes with Halloween, but I’d be lying if I said Black Christmas isn’t the more harrowing experience when it gets down to business. They’re both brilliant in different ways.
This movie reportedly was a favorite of John Carpenter. Homages in "Halloween" include the POV kill at the start and Michael driving by in the background several times.....
Very interesting to see an origin film for a genre. All the elements are here. Yes, they didn't have a budget but they still created a fascinating film.
I believe Texas Chain Saw Massacre came out the same year. Not sure if you consider that a slasher, because it's more based around the slasher's house when it's usually the victims house. It's a bit of a fable, too, more than slasher. But I thought I would mention it. How about Psycho?
This is the first film (that I know of) that did the "call is coming from the house" thing. The movie "When a Stranger Calls" is most famous for it, but that movie didn't come out until 5 years later.
It is THE caller is coming from inside the house trope, it originated it well sort of this film codified most of the modern tropes into a cohesive whole, dont forget 1974 roe vs wade had just passed, so to have a storyline like that in a film was groundbreaking, this film deserves more love that it gets. yes there was the POV in Peeping TOM truly disturbing film, some of the italian giallo's all had elements but this film just put them together and you can see how the tropes have become engrained in horror movie..
Thank you for reacting to this movie and I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I certainly hope you can get up to doing a video each week. Black Christmas 1974 was a very disturbing film especially the phone calls, I grew up in the era of obscene calls, you are correct there wasn't caller id and star 69 wouldn't be available until the 90s. If you want another disturbing film try Maniac (1980). There is also a remake of Maniac (2012) with Elijah Wood (Frodo from lord of the rings) which is surprisingly good, but I'd go with the original first.
There is an audio commentary of this movie done by Nick Mancuso in full character as Billy It’s exactly how it sounds. R.I.P. Margot Kidder and John Saxon. Cool sweater! 🦇🎃 Happy New Year!
Always like the pov and breathing scenes in these movies. When I'm walking around sometimes I try to copy this breathing heavy and obviously already got the pov lol.
Hello, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This was the first of many Christmas themed horror films, ranging from You Better Watch Out, Gremlins, Silent Night Deadly Night, The GingerDead Man, Silent Night Deadly Might: Part 2, Elves, Silent Night Bloody Night, P2, A Christmas Horror Story, Santa's Slay, Better Watch Out 2016, Krampus 2015, and Tales From The Crypt 1972.
bob clark was a real eclectic filmmaker. he made a christmas story, the sherlock holmes vs jack the ripper, murder by decree, and one of my top ten 70s horror movies, deathdream. all great movies, all different in tone and look.
Peter was played by Kier Dullea, Dave from 2001 a space odyssey, I like to try to connect actors and characters so peter didnt die but lost his memory and became a space man ;) Oliva hussey was in the Mini series IT
There is no "Final Girl". Billy calls after every kill. {The first time he is shown calling is right after he sneaks into the house, after killing the "missing" 13 year old.} He killed Jess after everyone left to take Claire's dad to the hospital. That is why the phone started ringing.....
I love that the female characters in this film are crude and complex, and not demure or entirely vulnerable. The most recent remake tried very hard to be feminist-to the point of alienating half of its audience (and I'm not saying that in an incel, "it's woke!!!" way)-but the original was already so feminist! It even explored themes of reproductive rights. In 1974! I love it so much :")
Some old greats I highly recommend, the omen, burnt offerings, let's scare Jessica to death, the brood, tourist trap, the sentinel, picnic at hanging rock
Well, I have a ton of your Halloween reactions to watch (I think I stopped at three); but considering last night was the first time I've been on RUclips since early-ish October for anything more than short, tiny videos (since in the last two months I've gotten married, gone on a honeymoon and now celebrated Christmas with the woman I'm very happy to call my wife), I couldn't help but skipping ahead to this! 'Cause I love Black Christmas. 😁 And I'm glad to see that you wound up enjoying it as much as you did! Honestly, Black Christmas is a classic and it was a helluva lot of fun to see you react to it. Your style's fun and genuine, plus it's just nice to hear your thoughts on more than just the plot. Not a lot of channels go into much more than the characters and story, so hearing that you liked the camerawork and just how well-worded your thoughts are on all aspects of the film is definitely the reason I've enjoyed your channel so much. It also seems like everybody got most of the details for the film out of the way, so about the only thing I'll touch on is the den mom. Basically, take it from a former alcoholic who's been sober for eight years now: while they went a bit overboard with the den mother and all her hiding spots, they (unfortunately) got the drinking throughout the day down. It really just dominates your life in a way that while it's great at the time, (before you've noticed anything wrong/possibly just don't care (which I cannot imagine)) it eventually just gets miserable. You hate not being drunk because being absolutely wasted just feels so much better than dealing with your problems, your responsibilities, the general stress' of life but then, eventually, you hate being drunk because you now realize you have a problem and it makes you think you want more, because if it made you feel good before, it should again if you can just drink enough, get drunk enough. It's a fucking nasty cycle that I wouldn't wish on anybody and being free of it is still something I'm grateful for to this day. But my point was they actually do a decent enough job with her. She's enjoying herself, she's lovin' the sauce, she probably lives for those drinks dealing with her job that they seem to imply she's not a fan of - they probably meant it just as something funny, but it's just a bit of character that's realistic, that you don't expect and actually added to the experience for me. Anyways, welcome to my Ted Talk, I guess. 😅 Definitely one of the best horror movies out of the '70s and definitely a favorite of mine. The original Halloween might be great and I've absolutely gotten some looks IRL amongst friends for saying Black Christmas is the better movie, but goddamn does this movie do everything right. Billy's perspective is creepy af with how unsteady it all is, the sound of his breath dominating the audio. The obscene calls are genuinely uncomfortable and never fail to make your skin crawl, the sort of minimal nature of the kills ratchets up the tension and is made all the more impactful by how much you wind up liking the cast, which is damn strong and one of the better examples of a female dominant cast in horror movies. It's also hella important in horror history considering how inspired by the film John Carpenter was - while not the first slasher film, Black Christmas popularized the modern take on it. If BC didn't exist, neither would Halloween. Which would also eliminate Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th most likely, as well as emptied the '80s of a lot of films. So it's always cool seeing common tropes other slashers have used over the years and where in Black Christmas they come from. The "phone call from inside the house", especially. As far as I can recall, Black Christmas is the film that did it first, popularized it and turned it into the thing it is today. Just a delightful film, all around. Legitimately scary, more than a bit sad (I'm still upset that nobody thought to look in the attic, years later) and leaves you feeling really uneasy. Calling it a work of art is spot on. As for the sequels, I've never seen them. I think I saw this one for the first time when I was sixteen, so 2005 and right before the sequel came out. I've never heard anything good about the 2006 film - it apparently goes into Billy's past but considering every opinion I've heard in person was basically "straight trash", I've never worked up the urge to watch it. As for the 2019 film I've heard equally damning reviews, even that the what should have been a good quality (the strong female cast) turned out to be not so great. Basically that it got a little too political and the agenda the director had overshadowed the film itself. Maybe they're okay films but both movies seem to have the polar opposite reaction to the original amongst fans and filmgoers in general. On other holiday horror movies, I'd say it's fair to call Krampus (2015) a classic. It's earned the praise. It has a pretty awesome cast - Toni Collette (Hereditary and the Fright Night remake with Colin Farrell and David Tennant), Adam Scott, David Koechner and the late Conchata Ferrel. It's a decent satire on the Christmas season (the opening sequence was genuinely funny to me), the comedy's more than decent enough (although a bit campy at times (which I don't really mind personally)) but where it really shined is in the monster design, the practical effects used and how oddly claustrophobic the entire experience was for me. Worth a watch at some point! Whether you're in the mood for more holiday horror this year of if you want to save it until Christmas 2022. Can't speak on Jack Frost; still need to see them myself. Anyways, holy shit. This comment is hideously long, so I'm gonna stop and get some sleep. I'll catch up on your Halloween reactions, possibly in time to actually comment on Ressurection ('cause I'm not gonna blow up your older videos with comments when you've moved on). Still, congrats on the channel growth and I'm definitely looking forward to future videos of yours, to hear more of your take on the horror genre as you share your love of film with us. Guaranteed to be a good time! Keep up the awesome work!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment as well as the compliment! I’m on board for Black Christmas being better than Halloween. Also CONGRATULATIONS WOW!!!! Sober for 8 years, married, in love!!!! I bet the you 8 years ago would be so proud of you. So happy for you!
@@ScaredPale First of all, I watched Halloween 4 earlier and started up Halloween 5 to put it into my history - very glad to hear you're okay and that your case of covid was only a mild one. That had to have sucked just in general and even moreso when you're cautious in the first place. Here's to never having to deal with that again! Thank you very much! Still new to the marriage thing but it's beyond wonderful. I imagine that past me would be glad that everything turned out alright after the disaster that was my favorite college pastime. 😅 But good friends, enough self awareness to realize I had a problem and being less stressed overall due to being out of college helped out loads.
Black Christmas 1974. One of my all-time favorite movies. I first saw it just out of highschool. I long knew about Michael Myers in Halloween since elementary school. But when I first heard Billy's deranged vocals, I really couldn't consider Halloween to be my favorite any longer. Billy is so menacing. Always loved Michael's mask and presence, but the erratic and unhinged Billy is truly much more frightening. From the lullaby, to the frantic behavior in the attic when the taxi left...? He's so creepy. Regarding your mentioning Game of Thrones...spoilers, kinda... Most didn't like the last season of Game of Thrones. They didn't like how Daenerys Targaryen turned out. But if you pay attention to her character throughout the entire series, one should understand that what she does in the last season is very much within her character. She's not a nice person. She's quite psychopathic. The way she treats some people is very fair. But the fact that she condemns people to a fiery death a lot of the time, it didn't surprise me of the actions she carried out in the last season. I guess some people dismiss or take for granted what characters do that they like. They don't always realize that some of these characters are not who they themselves would actually want to admire.
If you're interested in watching more creepy movies like this created back in the 1970's may I suggest tracking down a British movie called, "The Legend of Hell House", in 1974, starring Roddy Mac Dowel, who played Cornelius in the original 1968 Planet of the Apes movie. This movie will give you the creeps throughout most of it and it's still effective to this day.
Glad you watched it, and glad you liked it! Underrated, and holds up really well, I only thought some of the humor and the den mother herself being a bit much. The initial obscene call freaked me out too, especially because it came out in '74. Fun fact, Olivia Hussey (who also played Audra Denbrough in IT) played Norman Bates' mother in Psycho IV. EDIT: Also, I think I've recommended this before, but while it's not a horror movie, I highly recommend the movie 'Spoorloos' from 1987. Dutch movie that had an American remake a few years later, but watch the original one specifically, and if possible don't look anything up about it at all. It might be the most disturbing film I've seen, in a similar vein of this movie. Merry Christmas!
1974 was a banging year we all got along well with no cell phones and fancy tech.thry did have phone tracing of coarse and fingerprints and more case got solved 😉 than now
Absolutely A Classic, is it better than John Carpenter’s Halloween? 🤔well, Halloween seems to be more popular, for whatever reason or reasons, incidentally this was shot here in Toronto
There's something about '70s movies shot in Toronto. I just watched "The Silent Partner" (1978) the other night for the first time in a long time, and it still crackles and hums. The city is a great backdrop for thrillers in aesthetics and vibe (and like the humor in "Black Christmas," "Partner" throws you a refreshing curveball by having the only character who has his romance "game" down played by John Candy).
Bob Clark's name might be familiar for a reason: Black Christmas A Christmas Story Turk 182 Baby Geniuses Rhinestone Porky's Porky's 2 Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things
Olivia Hussey(Jess) was the the “original” Juliet from 1968 “Romeo and Juliet”; you should check it out to see her and her stunning Romeo 6 years earlier. Young people at that time were crazy for these two with several academy nominations. Maybe not you genre, but I still worth your time.
@@ScaredPaleIt’s funny that you mention it too, because Olivia Hussey later said that in the mid-80s she auditioned for a movie with Steve Martin who told her, “You were in one of my favorite movies!” to which Olivia replied, “Oh, Romeo & Juliet?” but instead he said, “No! Black Christmas! I loved it! Saw it 27 times!!” 😂
The ending was on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments as we don't know who the killer is, where he is, or what he wants. There are 2 remakes: a 2006 version where sorority sisters are getting picked off one by one after they receive disturbing phone calls from a sadistic serial killer. A 2019 version, which is supposed to represent the #Metoo movement and women's rights as well, involves sorority sisters getting picked off by a cloaked killer, while uncovering a deadly conspiracy on their campus
I have to slightly correct you because. Black Xmas 2006 is the only remake of black Christmas 1974. By the definition of the word remake. Wich is a remake is a retelling of the original story. In a modern way with some small changes or to reproduce or to remake something. But it is the same story or items black Christmas 1974 and black Xmas 2006. Same story revolving around Billy stalking people in a sorority house only. So that makes black Xmas 2006 the one an only remake to black Christmas 1974. Whare as black Christmas 2019 has a whole new story completely separate. From the original story from Black Christmas 1974. The story from Black Christmas 2019 has zero things in common with black Christmas 1974 story so that makes it a full-on reboot. Because black Christmas 1974 story plot a killer named Billy is stalking people in a sorority house only. The story plot of black Christmas 2019. A group of people are killing people everywhere on campus on one night. So it's as clear as day two completely different story plots that are not related in any single way. So that makes black Christmas 2019 a reboot. Because remakes have to have the same story as the original. In order for it to be called a ramake. The definition of a reboot basically States A reboot can have the same name as the original. But it can change things or discard things from the original version. Black Christmas 2019 keeps the name black Christmas only. Then it literally and figuratively discard every single thing else. Having to do with the original black Christmas 1974 movies story plot altogether. So by the definitions alone of the words remake an reboot. That makes black Christmas 2019 a reboot. Regardless of what the ones that made from movie stay. Because the definitions say otherwise.
Abortion... Black Christmas was released Oct 11th, 1974 and Roe v Wade happened Jan 22, 1973. Abortion would have been crazy thick in the air during the writing and filming of this movie about a sorority house full of young women on a university campus experiencing serious issues with their telephone...
Heres the breakdown of the other two movies. The definition of remake wich is a retelling of the original story in a updated Manor or to reproduce something with small changes. That makes Black Xmas 2006 the only remake of black Christmas 1974. Because it has the same story as black Xmas 2006. Both stories or movie plots revolve around Billy stalking people in sorority house only. So that makes Black Xmas 2006 the only remake to Black Christmas 1974. Then there is black Christmas 2019 that is not a remake. They are calling it one but it is not by definition. Because from the very start they wrote black Christmas 2019. With a whole new story from the beginning non-spoiler. The plot of black Christmas 2019 is about. A group of people that go around killing people everywhere on campus on one night. So clearly black Christmas 2019 is a full on reboot because. It's story is completely different it an has nothing in common with black Christmas 1974. Movie plot about Billy stalking people in a sorority house only. Black Christmas 2019 is a full-on reboot regardless of what anyone says. Even the ones that made the movie. The ones that made black Christmas 2019 just use the name. Black Christmas so they could call it a remake an trick people into watching their movie. Because director of black Christmas 2019 even said the message was the point of the movie. Story and writing did not matter all that mattered was the message. That message being one gender is good the other gender is bad. So they planned to trick people into watching it by. Calling it a black Christmas 1974 remake. Because no one likes movies that Force agendas. Like a hammer on people like they do in black Christmas 2019.
The instrument people often misidentify was invented back in the 1970's called the "Waterphone", that's what you called a violin, here's a video of how they looked and worked. ruclips.net/video/QMbJ1Uf8lMI/видео.html
Sheeesh! Seems we can't discuss, or even so much as hear about, ANY movie more than ten years old anymore without hearing the frigging word "remake", or worse still the more trendy sounding "reebooot"!
Greatest movie I ever watched at age 13 I was bored one day I was flipping through the movie channels on the cable box I never wanted to be home alone ever again after watching this movie but dang one hell of a plot twist in this movie and some other ones too one hell of an ending! Definitely back then in the '70s they did Trace calls like that just imagine having to do that job in order how long it took to find the call they're trying to trace! One of those movies are a guilty pleasure to watch but still an awesome movie to watch because it's so well done it definitely is a good genuine creeper but it is a masterpiece for what it is
There's a subtext here about abortion of some kind. Billy seems to have impregnated his sister and perhaps was forced to abort the baby or even have it killed after being born.
This isn’t a jab at you I love this channel and the content you produce but I will never understand how women can completely disregard how a man feels about having no say when it comes to a child being born. The movie is whatever but in the real world, it hurts for a man who was half the reason of the pregnancy, hears the woman say she’s getting rid of it and there is nothing he can say. We get it, you have to deliver the baby but a lot of men can only think about a child that they created is being killed and there is nothing they can do about it. If you don’t want a baby with a man simply don’t have casual sex. That’s why we have surge of single parent homes and debates about abortions. People out here having casual sex instead of thinking about what can happen. I understand a woman has to deliver a baby and there can be complications but the fact the father of that child emotions mean nothing to women these days is disgusting imo.
I don't really want to get into the whole abortion debate, but I agree that it takes two to tango, in that if it's with someone you love it should be an intimate conversation between partners. Having said that women throughout history have had little autonomy over their own bodies, have been considered property of their husbands, that their sole purpose in life was to produce and these ideologies still linger in todays society. This has resulted in women having strong opinions when it comes to making decisions about their own bodies. I'm generally a very privileged person but I've experienced quite of bit of sexism in my life that has also resulted in myself being defensive when it comes to women's rights/ bodily autonomy.
@@ScaredPale I can understand that but we cannot allow past events to base how we make decisions. It’s hurt the growth of my community which is the black community because we hold on to so much of the past and tend to act a certain way because of the past that it’s made it hard for my community to elevate as a whole. The thing is women have rights especially in this country just like black people do. Yes we must fight to protect those rights everyday but that’s life. We’re lucky we live in a country where we can freely fight for those rights. With all of that being said I didn’t want to get into a debate either which is why my comment wasn’t directed at your specifically, it was just a general comment because this is a convo that is usually done best face to face. I just think in a world where everyone should think about somebody else’s feelings today, there must come a time where a woman should at least have a convo with the man and genuinely hear him out and then make her decision. Fighting the past injustice with a different injustice just creates injustice. Still another great reaction. Can’t wait for more.
@@JBurnz001 hey thanks so much for your cordial response. I agree this is a conversation so much better for face to face but I totally see the points you’re making. I so respect you speaking your mind in such a kind, intellectual approach. Best wishes :)
One of the original slasher films and the best IMHO, The 70's was a great time for movies many minor classics from that period often overlooked now a days.
Several people did the phone "voices" and "Billy" talking to himselves.
Director Bob Clark {who also IS "Billy" in the shadows}
Actor Nick Mancuso
Several female actors
In the POV shots, "Billy" is considered to be "played" by cameraman Albert J. Dunk
AHH IM SO HAPPY U REACTED TO BLACK CHRISTMAS. some nice info; bob clark (the director, who also directed a christmas story) actually told john carpenter (director of halloween) that if he ever planned on making a sequel to black christmas, it would be about billy being caught at the end, and being institutionalized, then escaping and going back to stalk a new group of girls who now live at the home and call it "Halloween". he told him this 4 years before Halloween was made. I guess it's safe to say John was heavily inspired :)
Wow “inspired” is right.
Also he directed A Christmas Story?!?!? Wow that’s versatile!
And don’t forget Porkey’s 🤣
@@scottnorris8071 Baby Geniuses, too.
I've heard Bob Clark explaining that to Carpenter is a myth. I've always thought that was true, but I've heard recently it's a myth. I would have to rewatch the behind the scenes stuff. And I can't recall where I heard it's a myth.
@@Nope2022HugeTheWarningFan I've heard that Carpenter denies the conversation ever took place. However, it is clear that he was inspired by BC as he clearly pays homage to it in several ways with Halloween.
@@Wowzersdude-k5c We'll probably never know what happened.
Loved this reaction!!! Just love that this is the Godfather of slasher movies!!! The influences are so poignant; the cop outside watching the house being killed, the call coming from inside the house, the final girl checking on her friends just like Laurie did in “Halloween” when she goes across the street to check on her friends, and the finishing shots of the rooms in the house that suggests that the killer could be anywhere!!!
After the film finished you were tight in what you said, this is a masterpiece!. I first saw this at the cinema many, many years ago and it was a genuinely creepy experience. I think this is the best slasher/proto slasher ever made, and yes I do think it's better than Halloween and Friday 13th, but I still love those too but Black Christmas has always been one of my top 10 favourite movies and watching it is a Christmas night tradition in my house. Great reaction by the way.
I also liked it much better than Halloween!!!
Also tight profile picture.
Unpopular opinion: Black Christmas is better than Halloween 🤷🏻♀️
Honestly….same
Yeah it's better than Halloween (2007) and Halloween (2018) lol..I can't accept the word ''better'' if you mean better than the classic 1978 Halloween cause the classic Halloween is a masterpiece
Ehhhh…
Different strokes. I think Halloween is technically more impressive and is much more suspenseful at points. Black Christmas is very visceral and unpleasant in a way Halloween isn’t, but Halloween isn’t really going for that. It’s much more low-key and meticulous with how it establishes and frames it’s killer. Michael Myers is portrayed more like a quiet, malevolent specter or phantom observing and obstructing the scene, eerily creeping in without a sound. Billy and how he’s portrayed is the exact opposite, but arguably more terrifying despite being much less eerie. The noises he makes alone are just inhuman and disturbing. The chase scene towards the end is indescribably tense because of this, and because he’s never shown on-camera. He’s a very loud, agonizing, deranged person, and the movie likewise feels a bit loose, erratic, and bizarre compared to Halloween. It’s not quite as tight or visually stylish as Halloween, but Halloween also has some stupid/lazy writing choices that bother me, albeit very small ones and very few of them. I dunno, my heart goes with Halloween, but I’d be lying if I said Black Christmas isn’t the more harrowing experience when it gets down to business. They’re both brilliant in different ways.
I love both equally. Both are great slashers in their own rights.
This movie reportedly was a favorite of John Carpenter. Homages in "Halloween" include the POV kill at the start and Michael driving by in the background several times.....
Very interesting to see an origin film for a genre. All the elements are here. Yes, they didn't have a budget but they still created a fascinating film.
I agree! I don’t know what the budget was but they killed it!
With limitations you can make something great.
I believe Texas Chain Saw Massacre came out the same year. Not sure if you consider that a slasher, because it's more based around the slasher's house when it's usually the victims house. It's a bit of a fable, too, more than slasher. But I thought I would mention it.
How about Psycho?
And it’s super creepy knowing that Billy killed that 13 year old girl right before he climbed the trellis in the opening scene
This is the first film (that I know of) that did the "call is coming from the house" thing. The movie "When a Stranger Calls" is most famous for it, but that movie didn't come out until 5 years later.
It is THE caller is coming from inside the house trope, it originated it well sort of this film codified most of the modern tropes into a cohesive whole, dont forget 1974 roe vs wade had just passed, so to have a storyline like that in a film was groundbreaking, this film deserves more love that it gets. yes there was the POV in Peeping TOM truly disturbing film, some of the italian giallo's all had elements but this film just put them together and you can see how the tropes have become engrained in horror movie..
14:45 what is so scary is the real killer was standing close by and listening to the entire conversation and they had no idea.
Always found it so creepy that Claire is in plain view the whole time that they’re looking for her!! This is an absolute classic slasher!
Thank you for reacting to this movie and I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
I certainly hope you can get up to doing a video each week.
Black Christmas 1974 was a very disturbing film especially the phone calls, I grew up in the era of obscene calls, you are correct there wasn't caller id and star 69 wouldn't be available until the 90s.
If you want another disturbing film try Maniac (1980).
There is also a remake of Maniac (2012) with Elijah Wood (Frodo from lord of the rings) which is surprisingly good, but I'd go with the original first.
I’ve seen clips of the remake of Maniac but the original is definitely on the list!!!
A video a week I got this!!!
There is an audio commentary of this movie done by Nick Mancuso in full character as Billy
It’s exactly how it sounds. R.I.P. Margot Kidder and John Saxon. Cool sweater! 🦇🎃
Happy New Year!
RIP Bob Clark as well.
This has been my favorite horror movie since the first time I watched it around 1982... Nothing I've seen can touch it. I've seen em all too. 🖤🌲♥️
I like to think of When A Stranger Calls as the unofficial sequel.
Always like the pov and breathing scenes in these movies. When I'm walking around sometimes I try to copy this breathing heavy and obviously already got the pov lol.
It captures those fears of being watched while in the comfort of your own home.
19:36 It was a glass unicorn horn, not a knife.
Hello, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This was the first of many Christmas themed horror films, ranging from You Better Watch Out, Gremlins, Silent Night Deadly Night, The GingerDead Man, Silent Night Deadly Might: Part 2, Elves, Silent Night Bloody Night, P2, A Christmas Horror Story, Santa's Slay, Better Watch Out 2016, Krampus 2015, and Tales From The Crypt 1972.
bob clark was a real eclectic filmmaker. he made a christmas story, the sherlock holmes vs jack the ripper, murder by decree, and one of my top ten 70s horror movies, deathdream. all great movies, all different in tone and look.
Up there with Halloween as the finest horror film of the 70s as far as I'm concerned
Halloween had some inspiration from Black Christmas. And I love them both equally.
Peter was played by Kier Dullea, Dave from 2001 a space odyssey, I like to try to connect actors and characters so peter didnt die but lost his memory and became a space man ;) Oliva hussey was in the Mini series IT
WHAT THATS DAVE?!?! Wowwwww did not connect that
There is no "Final Girl".
Billy calls after every kill. {The first time he is shown calling is right after he sneaks into the house, after killing the "missing" 13 year old.}
He killed Jess after everyone left to take Claire's dad to the hospital. That is why the phone started ringing.....
I love that the female characters in this film are crude and complex, and not demure or entirely vulnerable. The most recent remake tried very hard to be feminist-to the point of alienating half of its audience (and I'm not saying that in an incel, "it's woke!!!" way)-but the original was already so feminist! It even explored themes of reproductive rights. In 1974! I love it so much :")
Agreed!!!! 😊
Some old greats I highly recommend, the omen, burnt offerings, let's scare Jessica to death, the brood, tourist trap, the sentinel, picnic at hanging rock
Hey! New subscriber here.
I really enjoyed your reaction and analysis on the movie.
Great work!❤😊
Well, I have a ton of your Halloween reactions to watch (I think I stopped at three); but considering last night was the first time I've been on RUclips since early-ish October for anything more than short, tiny videos (since in the last two months I've gotten married, gone on a honeymoon and now celebrated Christmas with the woman I'm very happy to call my wife), I couldn't help but skipping ahead to this! 'Cause I love Black Christmas. 😁
And I'm glad to see that you wound up enjoying it as much as you did! Honestly, Black Christmas is a classic and it was a helluva lot of fun to see you react to it. Your style's fun and genuine, plus it's just nice to hear your thoughts on more than just the plot. Not a lot of channels go into much more than the characters and story, so hearing that you liked the camerawork and just how well-worded your thoughts are on all aspects of the film is definitely the reason I've enjoyed your channel so much.
It also seems like everybody got most of the details for the film out of the way, so about the only thing I'll touch on is the den mom. Basically, take it from a former alcoholic who's been sober for eight years now: while they went a bit overboard with the den mother and all her hiding spots, they (unfortunately) got the drinking throughout the day down. It really just dominates your life in a way that while it's great at the time, (before you've noticed anything wrong/possibly just don't care (which I cannot imagine)) it eventually just gets miserable. You hate not being drunk because being absolutely wasted just feels so much better than dealing with your problems, your responsibilities, the general stress' of life but then, eventually, you hate being drunk because you now realize you have a problem and it makes you think you want more, because if it made you feel good before, it should again if you can just drink enough, get drunk enough.
It's a fucking nasty cycle that I wouldn't wish on anybody and being free of it is still something I'm grateful for to this day. But my point was they actually do a decent enough job with her. She's enjoying herself, she's lovin' the sauce, she probably lives for those drinks dealing with her job that they seem to imply she's not a fan of - they probably meant it just as something funny, but it's just a bit of character that's realistic, that you don't expect and actually added to the experience for me.
Anyways, welcome to my Ted Talk, I guess. 😅
Definitely one of the best horror movies out of the '70s and definitely a favorite of mine. The original Halloween might be great and I've absolutely gotten some looks IRL amongst friends for saying Black Christmas is the better movie, but goddamn does this movie do everything right. Billy's perspective is creepy af with how unsteady it all is, the sound of his breath dominating the audio. The obscene calls are genuinely uncomfortable and never fail to make your skin crawl, the sort of minimal nature of the kills ratchets up the tension and is made all the more impactful by how much you wind up liking the cast, which is damn strong and one of the better examples of a female dominant cast in horror movies.
It's also hella important in horror history considering how inspired by the film John Carpenter was - while not the first slasher film, Black Christmas popularized the modern take on it. If BC didn't exist, neither would Halloween. Which would also eliminate Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th most likely, as well as emptied the '80s of a lot of films. So it's always cool seeing common tropes other slashers have used over the years and where in Black Christmas they come from.
The "phone call from inside the house", especially. As far as I can recall, Black Christmas is the film that did it first, popularized it and turned it into the thing it is today.
Just a delightful film, all around. Legitimately scary, more than a bit sad (I'm still upset that nobody thought to look in the attic, years later) and leaves you feeling really uneasy. Calling it a work of art is spot on.
As for the sequels, I've never seen them. I think I saw this one for the first time when I was sixteen, so 2005 and right before the sequel came out. I've never heard anything good about the 2006 film - it apparently goes into Billy's past but considering every opinion I've heard in person was basically "straight trash", I've never worked up the urge to watch it. As for the 2019 film I've heard equally damning reviews, even that the what should have been a good quality (the strong female cast) turned out to be not so great. Basically that it got a little too political and the agenda the director had overshadowed the film itself. Maybe they're okay films but both movies seem to have the polar opposite reaction to the original amongst fans and filmgoers in general.
On other holiday horror movies, I'd say it's fair to call Krampus (2015) a classic. It's earned the praise. It has a pretty awesome cast - Toni Collette (Hereditary and the Fright Night remake with Colin Farrell and David Tennant), Adam Scott, David Koechner and the late Conchata Ferrel. It's a decent satire on the Christmas season (the opening sequence was genuinely funny to me), the comedy's more than decent enough (although a bit campy at times (which I don't really mind personally)) but where it really shined is in the monster design, the practical effects used and how oddly claustrophobic the entire experience was for me. Worth a watch at some point! Whether you're in the mood for more holiday horror this year of if you want to save it until Christmas 2022.
Can't speak on Jack Frost; still need to see them myself.
Anyways, holy shit. This comment is hideously long, so I'm gonna stop and get some sleep. I'll catch up on your Halloween reactions, possibly in time to actually comment on Ressurection ('cause I'm not gonna blow up your older videos with comments when you've moved on). Still, congrats on the channel growth and I'm definitely looking forward to future videos of yours, to hear more of your take on the horror genre as you share your love of film with us. Guaranteed to be a good time!
Keep up the awesome work!
Thanks so much for the thoughtful comment as well as the compliment! I’m on board for Black Christmas being better than Halloween.
Also CONGRATULATIONS WOW!!!! Sober for 8 years, married, in love!!!! I bet the you 8 years ago would be so proud of you. So happy for you!
@@ScaredPale First of all, I watched Halloween 4 earlier and started up Halloween 5 to put it into my history - very glad to hear you're okay and that your case of covid was only a mild one. That had to have sucked just in general and even moreso when you're cautious in the first place. Here's to never having to deal with that again!
Thank you very much! Still new to the marriage thing but it's beyond wonderful. I imagine that past me would be glad that everything turned out alright after the disaster that was my favorite college pastime. 😅 But good friends, enough self awareness to realize I had a problem and being less stressed overall due to being out of college helped out loads.
Black Christmas 1974. One of my all-time favorite movies. I first saw it just out of highschool. I long knew about Michael Myers in Halloween since elementary school. But when I first heard Billy's deranged vocals, I really couldn't consider Halloween to be my favorite any longer. Billy is so menacing. Always loved Michael's mask and presence, but the erratic and unhinged Billy is truly much more frightening. From the lullaby, to the frantic behavior in the attic when the taxi left...? He's so creepy.
Regarding your mentioning Game of Thrones...spoilers, kinda...
Most didn't like the last season of Game of Thrones. They didn't like how Daenerys Targaryen turned out. But if you pay attention to her character throughout the entire series, one should understand that what she does in the last season is very much within her character. She's not a nice person. She's quite psychopathic. The way she treats some people is very fair. But the fact that she condemns people to a fiery death a lot of the time, it didn't surprise me of the actions she carried out in the last season. I guess some people dismiss or take for granted what characters do that they like. They don't always realize that some of these characters are not who they themselves would actually want to admire.
If you're interested in watching more creepy movies like this created back in the 1970's may I suggest tracking down a British movie called, "The Legend of Hell House", in 1974, starring Roddy Mac Dowel, who played Cornelius in the original 1968 Planet of the Apes movie. This movie will give you the creeps throughout most of it and it's still effective to this day.
I love Roddy Mac Dowell I’ll have to look it up!
Glad you watched it, and glad you liked it! Underrated, and holds up really well, I only thought some of the humor and the den mother herself being a bit much. The initial obscene call freaked me out too, especially because it came out in '74.
Fun fact, Olivia Hussey (who also played Audra Denbrough in IT) played Norman Bates' mother in Psycho IV.
EDIT: Also, I think I've recommended this before, but while it's not a horror movie, I highly recommend the movie 'Spoorloos' from 1987. Dutch movie that had an American remake a few years later, but watch the original one specifically, and if possible don't look anything up about it at all. It might be the most disturbing film I've seen, in a similar vein of this movie.
Merry Christmas!
I agree the den mother is a lot.
I’m putting your movie on my list!
@@ScaredPale great!
Christmas Evil is kinda similar to this in that it defies being the trashy slasher you think it’s going to be, it really has some genuine art to it
Thanks for the video!! See you later!! Stay safe and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ⭐✨🎄⛄
I just dud that other day when someone said lick it. I started doing billys voice lick it lick itttt lol. I don't think anyone got it lol.
HAHAHA
This movie looks so cold and feels so creepy I could see you or anyone else being scared pale lol.
Very enjoyable review of a classic movie....lighten up on the police.....we're out there sitting in that car!
1974 was a banging year we all got along well with no cell phones and fancy tech.thry did have phone tracing of coarse and fingerprints and more case got solved 😉 than now
I'm watching your reaction again LOL and it just dawned on me that I think you look like Winona Ryder. Have you been told that before?
Actually….Cassandra Peterson aka Elvira told me that!
Absolutely A Classic, is it better than John Carpenter’s Halloween? 🤔well, Halloween seems to be more popular, for whatever reason or reasons, incidentally this was shot here in Toronto
There's something about '70s movies shot in Toronto. I just watched "The Silent Partner" (1978) the other night for the first time in a long time, and it still crackles and hums. The city is a great backdrop for thrillers in aesthetics and vibe (and like the humor in "Black Christmas," "Partner" throws you a refreshing curveball by having the only character who has his romance "game" down played by John Candy).
1) texas chainsaw 2) black christmas 3) silence of lambs 4) the shining 5) Halloween. My top 5 of all time in order. What's yours?
I have a video on my channel ;)
billy is the name of the caller, and agnes is said to be his little sister
Bob Clark's name might be familiar for a reason:
Black Christmas
A Christmas Story
Turk 182
Baby Geniuses
Rhinestone
Porky's
Porky's 2
Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things
This is an incredible horror film, great review 💙 #newsubscriber
Thank you! Welcome!
Olivia Hussey(Jess) was the the “original” Juliet from 1968 “Romeo and Juliet”; you should check it out to see her and her stunning Romeo 6 years earlier. Young people at that time were crazy for these two with several academy nominations. Maybe not you genre, but I still worth your time.
I mention this in the video :)
@@ScaredPaleIt’s funny that you mention it too, because Olivia Hussey later said that in the mid-80s she auditioned for a movie with Steve Martin who told her, “You were in one of my favorite movies!” to which Olivia replied, “Oh, Romeo & Juliet?” but instead he said, “No! Black Christmas! I loved it! Saw it 27 times!!” 😂
3:22 that line rarely works
This film also has great commentary on abortion with the subplot, this was around the time of Roe v. Wade.
Great reaction love your channel ❤❤💯💯
Thank you!
@@ScaredPale no problem love your Halloween reactions
The ending was on Bravo's 100 Scariest Movie Moments as we don't know who the killer is, where he is, or what he wants. There are 2 remakes: a 2006 version where sorority sisters are getting picked off one by one after they receive disturbing phone calls from a sadistic serial killer.
A 2019 version, which is supposed to represent the #Metoo movement and women's rights as well, involves sorority sisters getting picked off by a cloaked killer, while uncovering a deadly conspiracy on their campus
I have to slightly correct you because. Black Xmas 2006 is the only remake of black Christmas 1974. By the definition of the word remake. Wich is a remake is a retelling of the original story. In a modern way with some small changes or to reproduce or to remake something. But it is the same story or items black Christmas 1974 and black Xmas 2006. Same story revolving around Billy stalking people in a sorority house only. So that makes black Xmas 2006 the one an only remake to black Christmas 1974.
Whare as black Christmas 2019 has a whole new story completely separate. From the original story from Black Christmas 1974. The story from Black Christmas 2019 has zero things in common with black Christmas 1974 story so that makes it a full-on reboot. Because black Christmas 1974 story plot a killer named Billy is stalking people in a sorority house only. The story plot of black Christmas 2019. A group of people are killing people everywhere on campus on one night. So it's as clear as day two completely different story plots that are not related in any single way. So that makes black Christmas 2019 a reboot. Because remakes have to have the same story as the original. In order for it to be called a ramake. The definition of a reboot basically States A reboot can have the same name as the original. But it can change things or discard things from the original version.
Black Christmas 2019 keeps the name black Christmas only. Then it literally and figuratively discard every single thing else. Having to do with the original black Christmas 1974 movies story plot altogether. So by the definitions alone of the words remake an reboot. That makes black Christmas 2019 a reboot. Regardless of what the ones that made from movie stay. Because the definitions say otherwise.
The ending of the film is incredible!
Abortion... Black Christmas was released Oct 11th, 1974 and Roe v Wade happened Jan 22, 1973. Abortion would have been crazy thick in the air during the writing and filming of this movie about a sorority house full of young women on a university campus experiencing serious issues with their telephone...
Marry black Christmas
MARGOT KITTER from THE AMITYVILLE HORROR 😀😀😀😀😀
Good to start with the original before you get to the remakes (if you even bother with those lol).
Heres the breakdown of the other two movies. The definition of remake wich is a retelling of the original story in a updated Manor or to reproduce something with small changes. That makes Black Xmas 2006 the only remake of black Christmas 1974. Because it has the same story as black Xmas 2006. Both stories or movie plots revolve around Billy stalking people in sorority house only. So that makes Black Xmas 2006 the only remake to Black Christmas 1974.
Then there is black Christmas 2019 that is not a remake. They are calling it one but it is not by definition. Because from the very start they wrote black Christmas 2019. With a whole new story from the beginning non-spoiler. The plot of black Christmas 2019 is about. A group of people that go around killing people everywhere on campus on one night. So clearly black Christmas 2019 is a full on reboot because. It's story is completely different it an has nothing in common with black Christmas 1974. Movie plot about Billy stalking people in a sorority house only. Black Christmas 2019 is a full-on reboot regardless of what anyone says. Even the ones that made the movie.
The ones that made black Christmas 2019 just use the name. Black Christmas so they could call it a remake an trick people into watching their movie. Because director of black Christmas 2019 even said the message was the point of the movie. Story and writing did not matter all that mattered was the message. That message being one gender is good the other gender is bad. So they planned to trick people into watching it by. Calling it a black Christmas 1974 remake. Because no one likes movies that Force agendas. Like a hammer on people like they do in black Christmas 2019.
Dave mcrae made a fan made sequel, called its me, billy... its on his youtube chsnnel.
Oh wow I’ll have to look it up!
@@ScaredPale
ruclips.net/video/MHthNuEapos/видео.html
@@ScaredPale You should do a reaction to it. It's very well made and Dave does the voice work on it.
26:06 this is no MARVEL movie lol
Hahaha it really felt like something might happen
The instrument people often misidentify was invented back in the 1970's called the "Waterphone", that's what you called a violin, here's a video of how they looked and worked. ruclips.net/video/QMbJ1Uf8lMI/видео.html
For an upsetting, unusual film, watch "The Piano Teacher", directed by Michael Haneke (2001). Not horror, but disturbing. 🤓
I think I’ve heard of this?! Woman has an affair with a student right?
@@ScaredPale Yes, she's the piano teacher.
Sheeesh! Seems we can't discuss, or even so much as hear about, ANY movie more than ten years old anymore without hearing the frigging word "remake", or worse still the more trendy sounding "reebooot"!
another good holiday horror is My bloody valentine, the original
I made a video a while back sharing fun facts about the remake :)
Greatest movie I ever watched at age 13 I was bored one day I was flipping through the movie channels on the cable box I never wanted to be home alone ever again after watching this movie but dang one hell of a plot twist in this movie and some other ones too one hell of an ending! Definitely back then in the '70s they did Trace calls like that just imagine having to do that job in order how long it took to find the call they're trying to trace! One of those movies are a guilty pleasure to watch but still an awesome movie to watch because it's so well done it definitely is a good genuine creeper but it is a masterpiece for what it is
I swear billy scary killer
There's a subtext here about abortion of some kind. Billy seems to have impregnated his sister and perhaps was forced to abort the baby or even have it killed after being born.
Interesting!!!
I wouldn’t even call it subtext. It’s all just text of the film lol
@@Horrorlover1978 What happened with Billy is never explicitly stated, just suggested. Hence, subtext.
This isn’t a jab at you I love this channel and the content you produce but I will never understand how women can completely disregard how a man feels about having no say when it comes to a child being born. The movie is whatever but in the real world, it hurts for a man who was half the reason of the pregnancy, hears the woman say she’s getting rid of it and there is nothing he can say. We get it, you have to deliver the baby but a lot of men can only think about a child that they created is being killed and there is nothing they can do about it.
If you don’t want a baby with a man simply don’t have casual sex. That’s why we have surge of single parent homes and debates about abortions. People out here having casual sex instead of thinking about what can happen. I understand a woman has to deliver a baby and there can be complications but the fact the father of that child emotions mean nothing to women these days is disgusting imo.
I don't really want to get into the whole abortion debate, but I agree that it takes two to tango, in that if it's with someone you love it should be an intimate conversation between partners. Having said that women throughout history have had little autonomy over their own bodies, have been considered property of their husbands, that their sole purpose in life was to produce and these ideologies still linger in todays society. This has resulted in women having strong opinions when it comes to making decisions about their own bodies. I'm generally a very privileged person but I've experienced quite of bit of sexism in my life that has also resulted in myself being defensive when it comes to women's rights/ bodily autonomy.
@@ScaredPale I can understand that but we cannot allow past events to base how we make decisions. It’s hurt the growth of my community which is the black community because we hold on to so much of the past and tend to act a certain way because of the past that it’s made it hard for my community to elevate as a whole. The thing is women have rights especially in this country just like black people do. Yes we must fight to protect those rights everyday but that’s life. We’re lucky we live in a country where we can freely fight for those rights.
With all of that being said I didn’t want to get into a debate either which is why my comment wasn’t directed at your specifically, it was just a general comment because this is a convo that is usually done best face to face. I just think in a world where everyone should think about somebody else’s feelings today, there must come a time where a woman should at least have a convo with the man and genuinely hear him out and then make her decision. Fighting the past injustice with a different injustice just creates injustice. Still another great reaction. Can’t wait for more.
@@JBurnz001 hey thanks so much for your cordial response. I agree this is a conversation so much better for face to face but I totally see the points you’re making.
I so respect you speaking your mind in such a kind, intellectual approach.
Best wishes :)