Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
Director
Bob Clark
Cast
Olivia Hussey,
Keir Dullea,
Margot Kidder,
John Saxon,
Marian Waldman,
Andrea Martin
Genre
Horror,
Mystery,
Thriller
During their Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are terrorized by a stranger who leaves threatening phone calls — before he begins killing them off one by one. Inspired by an urban legend and a series of real-life murders, this cult classic is necessary viewing for horror lovers and slasher fans.
Christmas festivities take a chilling turn. So interesting to see how this lays the groundwork for the development of the slasher genre to come – the opening scene in particular will remind horror fans very clearly of another classic holiday slasher.
The A.V. Club by Noel Murray
Much of the shtick used by Clark and screenwriter Roy Moore was later stolen both by countless hacks and at least one real artist (Halloween director John Carpenter), but few repeated Clark's most devious tactic, accompanying the violence with the sound of the killer's nerve-janglingly maniacal shouting.
Slant Magazine
Black Christmas just may be the perfect antidote to the saccharine sweetness of most Christmastime fare.
New York Post by V.A. Musetto
Not only does Black Christmas provide real chills, it introduces devices - like the opening, which is shot from the slasher's point of view - that inspired John Carpenter's Halloween and countless genre flicks to follow. [20 Dec 2009, p.61]
Slant Magazine by Budd Wilkins
Black Christmas just may be the perfect antidote to the saccharine sweetness of most Christmastime fare.
Film Threat
What Black Christmas retains is the competent pacing and pure chaos that’s dealt in whispers and brutality, and what it lacks is a younger audience who just can’t quite understand that some horror films require imagination, suspense, and no explanation to hold our hand with.
Empire
An interesting stop-gap in the slasher genre.
Empire by Mark Dinning
An interesting stop-gap in the slasher genre.
Film Threat by Staff (Not Credited)
What Black Christmas retains is the competent pacing and pure chaos that’s dealt in whispers and brutality, and what it lacks is a younger audience who just can’t quite understand that some horror films require imagination, suspense, and no explanation to hold our hand with.
TV Guide Magazine
Although strictly standard fare, the material is elevated somewhat through Clark's skillful handling of such plot devices as obscene phone calls from the killer to the girls via the upstairs phone and a nicely handled twist ending, which provides a genuine shock.
TV Guide Magazine by Staff (Not Credited)
Although strictly standard fare, the material is elevated somewhat through Clark's skillful handling of such plot devices as obscene phone calls from the killer to the girls via the upstairs phone and a nicely handled twist ending, which provides a genuine shock.
Chicago Reader by Dave Kehr
Canadian-made unpleasantness (1975) about a psychopath stalking a college town. Bob Clark's direction is enthusiastic but sloppy-a presaging of his later Porky's. [02 Dec 2010, p.52]
Variety
Black Christmas, a bloody, senseless kill-for-kicks feature, exploits unnecessary violence in a university sorority house operated by an implausibly alcoholic ex-hoofer.
The New York Times
Considering the ersatz tension and plotting, Black Christmas is hardly worth the efforts of all concerned.
Variety by Staff (Not Credited)
Black Christmas, a bloody, senseless kill-for-kicks feature, exploits unnecessary violence in a university sorority house operated by an implausibly alcoholic ex-hoofer.
The New York Times by A.H. Weiler
Considering the ersatz tension and plotting, Black Christmas is hardly worth the efforts of all concerned.
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