Silent Night, Deadly Night: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|1984 American slasher film by Charles E. Sellier, Jr}} |
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{{use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} |
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{{About|the first film of the film series|the film series|Silent Night, Deadly Night (film series)}} |
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{{distinguish|Silent Night, Bloody Night}} |
{{distinguish|Silent Night, Bloody Night}} |
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{{Infobox film |
{{Infobox film |
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| name = Silent Night, Deadly Night |
| name = Silent Night, Deadly Night |
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| image = Silentnightdeadlynight.jpg |
| image = Silentnightdeadlynight.jpg |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| caption = Theatrical release poster |
| caption = Theatrical release poster |
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| director = [[Charles E. Sellier Jr.]] |
| director = [[Charles Sellier|Charles E. Sellier Jr.]] |
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| producer = Ira Richard Barmak<br />Scott J. Schneid<br />Dennis Whitehead |
| producer = Ira Richard Barmak<br />Scott J. Schneid<br />Dennis Whitehead |
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| screenplay = [[Michael Hickey]] |
| screenplay = [[Michael Hickey]] |
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| story = Paul Caimi |
| story = Paul Caimi |
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| starring = {{plainlist| |
| starring = {{plainlist| |
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* [[Lilyan Chauvin]] |
* [[Lilyan Chauvin]] |
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* [[Gilmer McCormick]] |
* [[Gilmer McCormick]] |
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* Toni Nero |
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* Robert Brian Wilson |
* Robert Brian Wilson |
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}} |
}} |
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| music = [[Perry Botkin Jr.|Perry Botkin]] |
| music = [[Perry Botkin Jr.|Perry Botkin]] |
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| cinematography = Henning Schellerup |
| cinematography = Henning Schellerup |
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| editing = Michael Spence |
| editing = Michael Spence |
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| studio = Slayride Productions Inc. |
| studio = Slayride Productions Inc. |
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| distributor = [[TriStar Pictures]] |
| distributor = [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] |
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| released = {{Film date|1984|11|09}} |
| released = {{Film date|1984|11|09}} |
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| runtime = |
| runtime = 82 minutes<br />85 minutes {{small|(Unrated)}} |
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| country = United States |
| country = United States |
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| language = English |
| language = English |
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| budget = $750,000<ref name="30th Anniversary Silent Night, Deadly Night Retrospective: Part 1">{{cite web |title= 30th Anniversary Silent Night, Deadly Night Retrospective: Part 1 |last=Squires |first= John |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/82656/30th-anniversary-silent-night-deadly-night-retrospective-part-1/ |website=Dead Central |date=22 December 2014 |access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> |
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| budget = |
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| gross = $2.5 million<ref name=bo>{{Cite web|url= |
| gross = $2.5 million<ref name=bo>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1215399425/weekend/|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)|access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> |
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| image_size = 215px |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''Silent Night, Deadly Night''''' is a 1984 American [[slasher film]] directed by [[Charles Sellier|Charles E. Sellier, Jr.]], and starring Robert Brian Wilson, [[Lilyan Chauvin]], [[Gilmer McCormick]], Toni Nero, [[Linnea Quigley |
'''''Silent Night, Deadly Night''''' is a 1984 American [[slasher film]] directed by [[Charles Sellier|Charles E. Sellier, Jr.]], and starring Robert Brian Wilson, [[Lilyan Chauvin]], [[Gilmer McCormick]], Toni Nero, and [[Linnea Quigley]]. The story concerns a young man named Billy Chapman, who suffers from [[Post-traumatic stress disorder|post-traumatic stress]] over witnessing his parents' murder on [[Christmas Eve]] by a man disguised as [[Santa Claus]] and his subsequent upbringing in an abusive [[Catholic]] orphanage. In adulthood, the Christmas holiday leads him into a psychological breakdown, and he emerges as a [[spree killer]] donning a [[Santa suit]]. |
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The film was released by [[TriStar Pictures]] on November 9, 1984 |
The film was released by [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] on November 9, 1984; it received substantial controversy over its promotional material and content, which featured a killer Santa Claus. In addition to receiving mixed reviews, it was pulled from theaters a week after its release. However, it was a success during its opening week, grossing $2.5 million on a budget of $750,000. Since its release, it has developed a [[cult following]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flavorwire.com/493459/so-bad-its-good-its-christmas-time-and-garbage-day-in-silent-night-deadly-night-part-2|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2: So Bad It's Good |date=12 December 2014 |website=Flavorwire|access-date=December 18, 2015}}</ref> and spawned a [[Silent Night, Deadly Night (film series)|series]], consisting of four sequels, with the fourth and fifth installments having no connection to the original film, as well as a [[Silent Night (2012 film)|loose remake]] in 2012. Another reboot is in development. |
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==Plot== |
== Plot == |
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In 1971, 5-year-old [[Billy Chapman (character)|Billy Chapman]] and his family visit a nursing home in [[Utah]] where his catatonic grandfather lives. When Billy's parents leave the room, his grandfather suddenly awakens and tells Billy to fear [[Santa Claus]], as he punishes the naughty. |
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{{Long plot|date=February 2019}} |
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In 1971, five-year-old [[Billy Chapman (Silent Night, Deadly Night)|Billy Chapman]] and his family go to visit a nursing home where his catatonic grandfather stays; when Billy remains alone with him for a few minutes, his grandfather suddenly awakens and tells Billy how he has to be afraid of [[Santa Claus]], as he gives presents only to the children who have been good all year, but punishes the ones who have been naughty, no matter how briefly. While driving back, a criminal dressed in a Santa outfit, who robbed a liquor store and killed the store clerk, seemingly has car trouble and gets Billy's family's attention to pull over and help. As they pull over, the Santa-clad criminal shoots the father with a [[pistol]] and slits the mother's throat with a switchblade in front of Billy and his younger brother Ricky. Billy then runs off to hide, leaving his younger brother Ricky in the car. |
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On the way back home, a criminal dressed in a Santa suit – who had just robbed a liquor store and killed the owner – attempts to carjack the family. As Billy's father tries to drive away, the criminal shoots him dead and attempts to sexually assault Billy's mother; when she hits him, he slashes her throat with a [[switchblade]]. Billy flees and hides, leaving his baby brother Ricky in the car. |
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Three years later in 1974, Billy and Ricky are celebrating [[Christmas]] in an [[orphanage]] run by [[Abbess|Mother Superior]], a strict [[disciplinarian]] who persistently strikes children who misbehave and considers punishment for their wicked actions a good thing. Sister Margaret, the only one who sympathizes with the children, tries to help Billy play with the other children, but Billy is constantly subject to Mother Superior's scrutinizing eyes and regularly punished. On Christmas morning, the orphanage invites a man in a Santa Claus suit to visit the children; Billy gets dragged by Mother Superior and he punches the man before fleeing to his room in horror. |
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Three years later, in December 1974, 8-year-old Billy and 4-year-old Ricky are celebrating [[Christmas]] in an orphanage run by [[Abbess|Mother Superior]], a strict [[disciplinarian]] who [[corporal punishment|beats]] children who misbehave and considers punishment to be a "good" thing. Sister Margaret, who sympathizes with the children, tries to help Billy, but he is regularly punished. On Christmas, the orphanage invites a man in a Santa Claus suit to visit the children; Billy, forced to sit on his lap by Mother Superior, punches the man before fleeing to his room in horror. |
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10 years later, in the spring of 1984, a now-adult Billy leaves the orphanage to find a normal life, and obtains a job as a stock boy at a local [[toy store]], thanks to Sister Margaret. At the store, he develops a crush on his co-worker Pamela; he has sexual thoughts regarding her which are often interrupted by morbid visions of his parents' murders. On [[Christmas Eve]], the employee who plays the store's Santa Claus has been injured the night before and as a result Billy's boss Mr. Sims makes him take his place. After the store closes, the staff has a Christmas Eve party. Billy (still dressed in a Santa Claus suit) tries to have a good time at the party, but he keeps having memories of his parents' murders, causing him to feel depressed. At one point, he sees his co-worker Andy making out with Pamela and they both walk into the back room. Billy walks after them and sees Andy trying to rape Pamela. This finally, psychologically, triggers his insanity; he hangs Andy with a string of Christmas lights and stabs Pamela with a utility knife, uttering darkly that punishment is good. A highly intoxicated Mr. Sims goes into the back room to check on the noises he heard. Just when he is about to leave, |
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Billy murders him with a hammer. Billy turns off the store's lights, causing his manager, Mrs. Randall, to go check out the back room. She screams at the sight of Mr. Sims' corpse and tries to call the police but Billy takes a double-bit axe to cut the phone line, causing her to run and hide. Billy walks around the store trying to find her and, at one point, Mrs. Randall jumps out and trips Billy, stealing his axe. Before she can escape, Billy shoots and kills her with a bow and arrow. |
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10 years later, in the spring of 1984, Billy, now 18, leaves the orphanage for a normal life, and obtains a job as a stock boy at a local toy store, with support from Sister Margaret. At the store, he develops a crush on his co-worker Pamela; he has sexual thoughts which are often interrupted by morbid visions of his parents' murders. On [[Christmas Eve]], the employee who plays the store's Santa Claus is injured and Billy's boss Mr. Sims makes him take his place. After the store closes, the staff has a Christmas Eve party. Billy, still in a Santa Claus suit, tries to have a good time, but keeps having memories of his parents' murders, causing him to feel depressed. He sees his co-workers Andy and Pamela kissing and then walking into the back room. Billy follows them and sees Andy trying to rape Pamela. This triggers his insanity; he hangs Andy with a string of Christmas lights and, declaring that punishment is "good", murders Pamela with a [[box cutter]]. |
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As Sister Margaret discovers the carnage and returns to the orphanage to seek help via telephone, Billy breaks into a nearby house where a young couple named Denise and Tommy are having sex and a little girl named Cindy is sleeping; Billy then impales Denise on a set of deer antlers before he throws Tommy through a window. When this awakens Cindy, Billy then confronts her and asks her if she has been nice or naughty; she says nice and Billy gives her the utility knife he had used earlier. After this, he witnesses bullies picking on two sledding teenage boys and decapitates one of the bullies with his axe as the other screams in horror. |
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Next, Billy murders Mr. Sims and his manager Mrs. Randall. Sister Margaret discovers the carnage and goes to the police station to seek help. Billy breaks into a nearby house where a young couple named Denise and Tommy are having sex and a little girl named Cindy is sleeping; he impales Denise on a set of deer antlers and throws Tommy through a window. When this awakens Cindy, Billy asks if she has been nice or naughty; she says nice, and he gives her the box cutter he had used earlier. After this, he witnesses bullies picking on two teenage boys and stealing their sleds, and decapitates one of the bullies with his axe. |
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The next morning, the orphanage is secured with Officer Barnes and Captain Richards aided by Sister Margaret, who knows that Billy has committed the murders. The deaf pastor, Father O'Brien, who was dressed in a Santa outfit, is mistakenly shot by Barnes upon coming forward and is soon axed by Billy while distracted. Due to his Santa outfit, Billy gains access into the orphanage and confronts Mother Superior, who remains in a wheelchair. She taunts Billy due to her disbelief in Santa Claus and just as he prepares to kill her with his axe, Richards appears and shoots him in the back, much to Sister Margaret's disapproval. As the dying Billy lays on the ground, he utters to the nearby children "You're safe now, Santa Claus is gone." before succumbing to his wounds. As the children gather around, his younger brother Ricky witnesses this and, coldly staring at Mother Superior, he utters "Naughty". |
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The next morning, Captain Richards and Sister Margaret deduce Billy will go to the orphanage, where Ricky is still living. Officer Barnes responds to orders to secure the orphanage and kills a pastor, Father O'Brien, who was dressed in a Santa outfit, mistaking him for Billy. As Barnes continues patrolling the area, he is struck in the chest by Billy's axe. Billy confronts Mother Superior, now in a wheelchair. Just as he prepares to kill her, Richards shoots him in the back. Billy drops to the floor and tells the children "You're safe now, Santa Claus is gone", before dying from his injuries. A 14-year-old Ricky, scowling at Mother Superior, utters "Naughty.", [[Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2|indicating his revenge on her for his brother’s death]]. |
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==Cast== |
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{{columns-list|colwidth=30em| |
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== Cast == |
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* Robert Brian Wilson as [[Billy Chapman (Silent Night, Deadly Night)|Billy Chapman]] (age 18) |
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{{cast list| |
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** Danny Wagner as eight-year-old Billy |
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* Robert Brian Wilson as [[Billy Chapman (character)|Billy Chapman]] Age 18 |
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** Jonathan Best as five-year-old Billy |
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** Danny Wagner as Eight-Year-Old Billy Chapman |
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*Alex Burton as Ricky Chapman at 14 |
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** Jonathan Best as Five-Year-Old Billy Chapman |
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**Max Broadhead as four-year-old Ricky |
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* |
* Alex Burton as Richard "Ricky" Chapman |
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** Max Broadhead as Four-Year-Old Ricky Chapman |
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** Melissa Best (Jonathan's real-life sister) as Infant Ricky Chapman |
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* [[Lilyan Chauvin]] as Mother Superior |
* [[Lilyan Chauvin]] as Mother Superior |
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* [[Gilmer McCormick]] as Sister Margaret |
* [[Gilmer McCormick]] as Sister Margaret |
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* Toni Nero as Pamela |
* Toni Nero as Pamela |
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* [[Britt Leach]] as Mr. Sims |
* [[Britt Leach]] as Mr. Sims |
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* [[Nancy Borgenicht]] as Mrs. Randall |
* [[Nancy Borgenicht]] as Mrs. Helen Randall |
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* H.E.D. Redford as Captain Richards |
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* [[Linnea Quigley]] as Denise |
* [[Linnea Quigley]] as Denise |
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* [[Leo Geter]] as Tommy |
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* Randy Stumpf as Andy |
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* [[Will Hare]] as Grandpa Chapman |
* [[Will Hare]] as Grandpa Chapman |
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* [[Tara Buckman]] as Ellie Chapman |
* [[Tara Buckman]] as Ellie Chapman |
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* Geoff Hansen ( |
* Geoff Hansen (credited as Jeff Hansen) as Jim Chapman |
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* [[Charles Dierkop]] as " |
* [[Charles Dierkop]] as "Killer Santa", a criminal in a Santa Claus outfit |
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* [[Don Shanks (stuntman)|Don Shanks]] as Santa climbing in window |
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* Eric Hart as Mr. Levitt |
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* [[Judith Roberts (actress)|Judith Roberts]] as Mother Superior (uncredited) |
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* A. Madeline Smith as Sister Ellen |
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* Amy Stuyvesant as Cindy |
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* Max Robinson as Officer Barnes |
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* Vinc Massa as Doug |
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* John Michael Alvarez as Jim |
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* John Bishop as Bob |
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* Richard C. Terry as Mac |
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* Oscar Rowland as Dr. Conway |
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* Richard D. Clark as Officer Miller |
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* Tip Boxell as Officer Murphy |
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* Judith Roberts as Mother Superior (uncredited) |
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* J. Paul Boardhead as Santa in store |
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* Spencer Ashby as Santa in orphanage |
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* [[Donald L. Shanks]] as Santa climbing in window (uncredited) |
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* Angela Montoya as little girl on Santa's lap |
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* Molly Cameron as little girl on Santa's lap's mother |
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* Betsy Nagel as other mother in store |
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* Joan S. Forster as other mother in store |
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* Barbara Stafford as teen lover in orphanage |
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* Paul Mulder as teen lover in orphanage |
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* Dan Rogers as dispatcher |
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* Spencer Alston as child in orphanage |
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* Kristi Ballard as child in orphanage |
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* Jacob Peterson as child in orphanage |
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* Jonathan Wilde as child in orphanage |
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* Susie Massa as child in orphanage |
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* Sarah Stuyvesant as child in orphanage |
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}} |
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==Production== |
== Production == |
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{{ |
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2024}} |
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The concept of the film was pitched by executive producer Scott J. Schiend who at the time, accepted screenplay ideas in submissions from the public. One of these was a short story entitled '''''He Sees You When You're Sleeping''''' written by a [[Harvard University]] student named Paul Caimi. The story was about a killer [[Santa Claus]] and Schiend was impressed with the concept even though he disliked [[slasher films]]. He then contacted writer Michael Hickey and requested him to write a screenplay based on the short story in which he agreed. Afterwards, Hickey sent the screenplay to [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] who were pleased with it and agreed to finance and distribute the film. |
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Initially throughout production, the film was titled as ''Slayride'', before TriStar decided to change the title to ''Silent Night, Deadly Night''. The film was shot on location in [[Salt Lake City]] and [[Heber City, Utah|Heber City]], [[Utah]].<ref name=hysteria>{{cite web|url=http://www.hysteria-lives.co.uk/silent_night_deadly_night/|work=Hysteria Lives!|title=Ho-Ho-HOMICIDE: The Silent Night, Deadly Night Controversy|author=Kerswell, J.A.|accessdate=December 29, 2016}}</ref> |
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The film's working title during production was '''''Slayride''''' and it was to be produced by Slayride Productions Inc. Producer Ira Richard Barmak was recruited by Tri-Star to produce the film. Executive producers, Scott J. Schiend and Dennis Whitehead were hoping to hire a new and young director who would be the "next [[John Carpenter]]" and considered [[Sam Raimi]], [[Albert Magnoli]], and [[Ken Kwapis]] for the position. Tri-Star expressed interests in television producer [[Charles E. Sellier Jr.]] who was well known for producing the ''[[Life and Times of Grizzly Adams]]'' motion picture and TV series. Schiend and Whitehead disagreed believing that a veteran producer would not give the film a good look and reputation; however, Tri-Star insisted and eventually hired Sellier for the position. |
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Because director [[Charles E. Sellier Jr.]] was uncomfortable with shooting the death scenes, the film's editor Michael Spence came in as the co-director for the film. |
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[[Principal photography]] lasted from March to April 1983 and was shot on location in Heber City and [[Midway, Utah]]. At the time, most of the snow was beginning to melt, so the production crew raced to shoot all exterior shots first. Numerous buildings were used for the interior scenes during filming. The orphanage building was an abandoned school house that was renovated by the crew during production. It was then demolished not long after filming concluded. The Ira's Toys building was a vacant building that was rented out by the crew. As of 2022, it still stands and is currently a [[gym]]. During filming, director Charles E. Sellier Jr. was too uncomfortable with shooting the murder sequences and this resulted in editor Michael Spence to come in as the stand-in director for these scenes. |
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==Release== |
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The film was released theatrically in the [[United States]] by [[TriStar Pictures]] on November 9, 1984,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/49516/six-slays-christmas-day-five|title=The Six Slays of Christmas - Day Five|publisher=[[Dread Central]]|accessdate=December 23, 2012}}</ref> opening to 400 theaters in the Eastern United States.<ref name=hysteria/> On its opening weekend, the film outgrossed [[Wes Craven]]'s landmark slasher ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'', which opened the same day (albeit in 235 fewer theaters). Before being pulled from theaters, it grossed over $2.4 million.<ref name=bo/> |
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The film's cast mainly consisted of local actors in the state of [[Utah]]. Lead star Robert Brian Wilson (Billy at age 18) was at the time living in [[Salt Lake City]] and had no acting experience. He auditioned for his role as the request of his girlfriend. No major and well-known actors were featured in the film and many mostly had experience in only television acting roles. |
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In November 2013, it was announced that ''[[Fangoria]]'' in association with Brainstorm Media and [[Screenvision]] would be re-releasing the film to theaters in the United States throughout December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/special-announcement-fangoria-brings-holiday-horror-classic-silent-night-deadly-night-back-to-the-big-screen-this-december/|title=Special Announcement: FANGORIA Brings Holiday Horror Classic "SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT" Back to the Big Screen this December! |publisher=fangoria.com |accessdate=December 9, 2013}}</ref> |
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During [[post-production]], TriStar had decided to change the '''''Slayride''''' title of the film to '''''Silent Night, Deadly Night'''''. Music composer Perry Botkin was hired to compose the musical score; he did so by watching a [[betamax]] copy of the film while composing the score as it played. Afterwards, TriStar hired graphic designer Burt Kleeger to create the infamous theatrical release poster that depicted Santa Claus climbing down a chimney while holding a double-bit [[axe]] that also included the film's tagline: "You've made it through Halloween, now try and survive Christmas" along with "He knows when you've been naughty". |
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===Controversy and censorship=== |
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''Silent Night, Deadly Night'' was one of the most controversial films of the 1980s due to its advertising campaign, particularly its posters and TV spots, that made significant emphasis on the killer being dressed as [[Santa Claus]].{{Sfn|Rockoff|2011|p=156}} The [[Parent-Teacher Association|PTA]] fought to have this film removed from theaters due to its subject matter and the fact that it was shown around [[Christmas]], although an earlier film with a similar premise, ''[[Christmas Evil]]'', had gone unnoticed. Television advertisements, which aired between episodes of family-friendly series such as ''[[Three's Company]]'' and ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'', led to parents complaining that their children were terrified of Santa Claus.<ref name=hysteria/> Large crowds (mostly angry families) formed at theaters and malls around the nation to protest the film; at the film's East Coast premiere at the Interboro Quad Theater in [[The Bronx]] in [[New York City]], protesters picketed the theater and sang [[Christmas carols]] in protest.{{Sfn|Muir|2012|p=412}} |
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Because the film's concept had been done before in the 1980 horror film ''[[Christmas Evil]]'' as well as the first segment of the 1972 horror anthology film, ''[[Tales from the Crypt (film)|Tales from the Crypt]]'', the producers and TriStar were not concerned about the killer Santa Claus theme being controversial. However, there was concern that the portrayal of the [[Catholic Church]] in the film would be. Because of this, TriStar agreed to distribute the film in a limited release in the mostly [[protestant]] midwestern United States before moving forward with releasing it in the dominantly [[catholic]] northeastern United States. TriStar set the film's theatrical release date as November 9, 1984, around the start of the [[Christmas season]]. Robert Brian Wilson expressed dissatisfaction with this decision, believing that the film should have been released around [[Halloween]] to cause less controversy. |
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== Release == |
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The film was released theatrically by [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] on November 9, 1984,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dreadcentral.com/news/49516/six-slays-christmas-day-five|title=The Six Slays of Christmas - Day Five|website=[[Dread Central]]|access-date=December 23, 2012|date=December 23, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120513215540/https://dreadcentral.com/news/49516/six-slays-christmas-day-five |archive-date=May 13, 2012}}</ref> opening in 398 theaters in the [[Midwest]] United States.<ref name=hysteria>{{cite web|url=https://www.hysteria-lives.co.uk/silent_night_deadly_night/|work=Hysteria Lives!|title=Ho-Ho-HOMICIDE: The Silent Night, Deadly Night Controversy|last=Kerswell |first=J.A.|access-date=December 29, 2016}}</ref> |
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In November 2013, it was announced that ''[[Fangoria]]'' in association with Brainstorm Media and [[Screenvision]] would be re-releasing the film to theaters in the United States throughout December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.filmlinc.org/daily/sndn/ |title= A Once Controversial Release, "Silent Night, Deadly Night" Gains Another Chance to Terrorize |date=December 5, 2013 |website=Film at Lincoln Center|access-date=October 27, 2024}}</ref> |
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===Marketing=== |
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''Silent Night, Deadly Night'' was one of the most controversial films of the 1980s due to its advertising campaign, particularly its posters and TV spots, that made significant emphasis on the killer being dressed as [[Santa Claus]].{{sfn|Rockoff|2011|p=156}} The [[Parent-Teacher Association|PTA]] fought to have this film removed from theaters due to its subject matter and the fact that it was shown around [[Christmas]], although an earlier film with a similar premise, ''[[Christmas Evil]]'', had gone unnoticed. Television advertisements, which aired between episodes of family-friendly series such as ''[[Little House on the Prairie (TV series)|Little House on the Prairie]]'', led to parents complaining that their children were terrified of Santa Claus.<ref name=hysteria/> Large crowds (mostly angry families) formed at theaters and malls around the nation to protest the film; at the film's East Coast premiere at the Interboro Quad Theater in [[The Bronx]] in [[New York City]], protesters picketed the theater and sang [[Christmas carols]] in protest.{{Sfn|Muir|2012|p=412}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maslin |first=Janet |date=November 16, 1984 |title=AT THE MOVIEW ; 'Silent Night' furor hasn't sold tickets. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/16/movies/at-the-moview-silent-night-furor-hasn-t-sold-tickets.html |access-date=October 27, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> |
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{{quote box|width=28%|align=right|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|quote="Most protests were generated by the feeling that the depiction of a killer in a Santa Claus suit would traumatize children and undermine their traditional trust in Santa Claus."|source=''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' editorial, November 1984.<ref name=hysteria/>}} |
{{quote box|width=28%|align=right|bgcolor=#c6dbf7|quote="Most protests were generated by the feeling that the depiction of a killer in a Santa Claus suit would traumatize children and undermine their traditional trust in Santa Claus."|source=''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' editorial, November 1984.<ref name=hysteria/>}} |
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In response, [[TriStar Pictures]], the film's original distributor, pulled all ads for the film six days after its release |
In response, [[TriStar Pictures|Tri-Star Pictures]] (which was the joint venture between [[Columbia Pictures]], [[HBO]], and [[CBS]]), the film's original distributor, pulled all ads for the film on November 15, 1984, six days after its release.<ref name=hysteria/> The film itself was also withdrawn shortly thereafter, due to the controversy.<ref name="RiseFallSlasher">{{cite video|title=Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film|medium=DVD (Region 1)|location=United States|publisher=THINKfilm|date=2006}}</ref> In response to the public outcry, producer Ira Barmak told ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine: "People have taken offense at Santa being used in a scary context... Santa Claus is not a religious figure, he's a mythic character. I didn't deliberately ride roughshod over that sensitivity and I didn't anticipate the objection to it."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2686849/silent-night-deadly-night-best-christmas-horror-movie-ever/|work=[[MTV]]|title=Why Silent Night, Deadly Night Is the Best Christmas Horror Movie You've Never Seen|date=December 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028185153/https://www.mtv.com/news/prheg8/silent-night-deadly-night-best-christmas-horror-movie-ever|archive-date=October 28, 2022|url-status=dead|author=Grant, Stacey}}</ref> An editorial published in ''Variety'' stated: "Most protests were generated by the feeling that the depiction of a killer in a Santa Claus suit would traumatize children and undermine their traditional trust in Santa Claus."<ref name=hysteria/> When the film was castigated at length by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, the backlash against the film became louder and more widespread. Barmak responded to the Siskel & Ebert review, saying: "They were coming off on an enormous amounts of publicity on that pictures, and I think that they knew that by reviewing that picture on their show, they would get higher ratings. Shame on you Siskel and shame on you Ebert. Because I don't believe, I think that it was the height of hypocrisy for them to take that attitude. If they genuinely were horrified by the picture, they knew very well that the most effective thing they could've done was to not review the picture". |
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In the 2006 documentary ''[[Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film]]'', Lilyan Chauvin, who plays Mother Superior, blamed the controversy on the film's marketing campaign. She argued that the marketing should have focused more on Billy's trauma rather than the killer Santa aspect. |
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The film was later re-released by an independent distributor, Aquarius Films, in May 1985, with an ad campaign replacing the original "Twas the night before Christmas"-themed trailer with a new one that centered on the controversy surrounding the film and edited out all close-up shots of Billy, in the Santa suit, with weapons. The print ad material also replaced the original 'Chimney' picture with one that talked about the controversy. |
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The film was due to be re-released by an independent distributor, Aquarius Films, in May 1985, with an ad campaign replacing the original "Twas the night before Christmas"-themed trailer with a new one that centered on the controversy surrounding the film and edited out all close-up shots of Billy in the Santa suit with weapons. The print ad material also replaced the original 'Chimney' picture with one that talked about the controversy. However, the film only had further test engagements.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=September 5, 1985|title=No Christmas Present for 'Silent Night'|page=1}}</ref> |
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In the United Kingdom, the movie was never submitted for certification to the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]], and its sequel was denied a video certificate in 1987 after the distributors refused to make the cuts required for an '18' certificate. However, in 2009, [[Arrow Films]] submitted the film to the BBFC for classification, who passed the film uncut with an [[18 (British Board of Film Classification)|18 certificate]].<ref>[http://bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/7EBCB771D2A6C10F80257673004E7964?OpenDocument BBFC Website - Silent Night, Deadly Night Classification] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812064045/http://bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/7EBCB771D2A6C10F80257673004E7964?OpenDocument |date=2011-08-12 }}</ref> The UK DVD was released on November 23, 2009. |
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=== |
=== Home media === |
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Originally planned to be released on home media by [[Sony Pictures Home Entertainment|RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video]] in early 1985, the home media release was cancelled. The film was then originally released on VHS and Beta in May 1986 through USA Home Video. The film was released on Laserdisc in 1987 and reissued on VHS by International Video Entertainment in 1987 and 1988. In 1992, the film was last released on VHS for the last time by Avid Home Entertainment. |
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{{expand section}} |
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On review aggregator website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], it holds a 24% approval rating based on 17 reviews, with a [[weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]] of 3.94/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1018989-silent_night_deadly_night/|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=June 29, 2019}}</ref> |
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The film was released on as a [[double feature]] disc alongside sequel ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2]]'' in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=Silent Night, Deadly Night / Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (DVD) |url=https://www.dvdempire.com/538149/silent-night-deadly-night-silent-night-deadly-night-part-2-movie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709030509/https://www.dvdempire.com/538149/silent-night-deadly-night-silent-night-deadly-night-part-2-movie.html |archive-date=2015-07-09 |access-date=April 13, 2011 |website=DVD Empire}}</ref> The second release was in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |title=Silent Night, Deadly Night (DVD) |url=https://www.dvdempire.com/1374446/silent-night-deadly-night-movie.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125085213/https://www.dvdempire.com/1374446/silent-night-deadly-night-movie.html |archive-date=2015-11-25 |access-date=April 13, 2011 |website=DVD Empire}}</ref> The first two [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 1]] releases are [[out of print]]. |
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[[At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert|Siskel and Ebert]] condemned the film and Siskel went as far as to read names of the film's production crew on air, telling them, "Shame on you". [[Gene Siskel|Siskel]] also said that all the money the filmmakers were making off of this film was blood money.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK4N-63HYBw|title=At the Movies, 1984-Silent Night, Deadly Night|first=|last=gradepoint|date=2 February 2009|publisher=|accessdate=27 July 2016|via=YouTube}}</ref> [[Leonard Maltin]] also denounced the film, calling it a "...worthless [[splatter film]]", giving it zero stars and asking: "What's next, the [[Easter Bunny]] as a child killer?" A ''[[Variety (magazine)|Daily Variety]]'' review argued that whatever arguments the film was making on the commercialism of Christmas was overshadowed by the graphic violence, which the reviewer saw as off-putting. Michael Wilmington wrote in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'': "[it's] safe to predict that ''Silent Night, Deadly Night''… will start making ‘Worst Movie of All Time’ lists almost immediately". One positive notice came from Kirk Ellis from ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', who complimented director Sellier's "workmanlike competence" and praised the cinematography and Gilmer McCormack's performance as Sister Margaret.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=67730|title=SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT (1984) - Movie Detail|last=|first=|date=|website=American Film Institute|publisher=|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> |
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In the United Kingdom, the film was never submitted for certification to the [[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]], and its sequel was denied a video certificate in 1987 after the distributors refused to make the cuts required for an '18' certificate. However, in 2009, [[Arrow Films]] submitted the film to the BBFC for classification, who passed the film uncut with an [[18 (British Board of Film Classification)|18 certificate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/7EBCB771D2A6C10F80257673004E7964?OpenDocument |title=Silent Night, Deadly Night |website=British Board of Film Classification |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812064045/https://bbfc.co.uk/website/Classified.nsf/0/7EBCB771D2A6C10F80257673004E7964?OpenDocument |archive-date=2011-08-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Arrow Films DVD was released on November 23, 2009. |
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===Home video=== |
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The film was originally released on VHS in 1986 through USA Home Video. In 1987, The film was re-released on VHS tape by International Video Entertainment. By 1991, the film's home video rights were transferred to Avid Home Entertainment, which was released that same year. |
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On December 4, 2012, the film was again released in the U.S. alongside ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2|Part 2]]'' as a two-disc "Christmas Survival Double Feature", containing the same archival bonus features as the 2003 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Deadly-Eric-Freeman/dp/B009IV2Z3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1351981586&sr=1-1&keywords=silent%20night%20deadly%20night|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night: Parts 1 & 2|date= December 4, 2012|access-date= July 27, 2016|website=Amazon}}</ref> |
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The film was released three times on [[DVD]] in the [[United States]] by [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]]. The first release was a [[double feature]] disc alongside sequel ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2]]'' in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=538149|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night / Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (DVD)|publisher=DVD Empire|accessdate=April 13, 2011}}</ref> The second release was in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=1374446|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night (DVD)|publisher=DVD Empire|accessdate=April 13, 2011}}</ref> The first two [[DVD region code#Region codes and countries|Region 1]] releases are currently [[out of print]]. |
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On September 16, 2014, it was released on Blu-ray by Anchor Bay/Starz Entertainment. No new special features were included, with the exception of a few new commentaries, none of which any of the actors participated in. The Blu-ray contains exactly the same release as previous DVD editions with the extended scenes edited back into the film with noticeable picture quality changes. There has yet to be a release of the full, uncut print from a single source.<ref>Each release of the film on DVD and Blu-ray by Anchor Bay Entertainment features notable differences in quality between the footage of the theatrical cut, and the excised footage re-integrated into the film. It is noticeable (and noted) on both the 2003 DVD release and 2014 Blu-ray.</ref> |
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The film was released on DVD in the [[United Kingdom]] in 2009 by Arrow Video; this set includes an audio interview with director Charles E. Sellier Jr., poster, booklet including "Deadly Director: Charles Sellier Interviewed by Calum Waddell" and "Silent Night, Sex Night: The Slice and Times of Linnea Quigley".<ref>[http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34829/in-uk-win-a-copy-silent-night-deadly-night-dvd In the UK? Win a Copy of Silent Night, Deadly Night on DVD!]</ref> |
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On December 5, 2017, [[Shout! Factory]], under its [[Scream Factory]] label, released the film in a two-disc set collector's edition on [[Blu-ray]] and [[DVD]]. It contains the film remastered in a 4K resolution from the original negative sourced from the original R-rated theatrical cut while the unrated version used SD inserts. It also contained new special features such as an interview and audio commentary from actors Robert Brian Wilson and Linnea Quigley, co-executive producers Scott J. Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, writer Michael Hickey, music composer Perry Botkin, and editor Michael Spence. It also contained a new documentary on the making of the film entitled ''Slay Bells Ring: The Story of Silent Night, Deadly Night'' which included interviews from the cast and crew. The original theatrical trailer, radio and TV spots are included. It also contained the original special features from the 2003 and 2012 DVD and 2014 Blu-ray releases as well. |
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On December 4, 2012, the film was again released alongside ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2|Part 2]]'' as a two-disc "Christmas Survival Double Feature", containing the same archival bonus features as the 2003 release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Deadly-Eric-Freeman/dp/B009IV2Z3M/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1351981586&sr=1-1&keywords=silent%20night%20deadly%20night|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night: Parts 1 & 2|date= December 4, 2012|publisher=|accessdate= July 27, 2016|via=Amazon}}</ref> |
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Scream Factory also released a limited edition deluxe offer that contained the collector's edition set along with a 18x24 size poster of the new artwork for the film, as well as an 8" tall figure of Billy in his Santa suit holding his double-bit axe. This offer was limited to 2,000 orders and pre-orders started on September 7, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/silent-night-deadly-night-deluxe-limited-edition-with-exclusive-action-figure?product_id=6463|title = Silent Night, Deadly Night [Collector's Edition] - Blu-ray |website= Shout! Factory |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170908024431/https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/silent-night-deadly-night-deluxe-limited-edition-with-exclusive-action-figure?product_id=6463 |archive-date=2017-09-08}}</ref> |
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On September 16, 2014, the film was released on Blu-ray by Anchor Bay/Starz Entertainment as a 30th Anniversary Edition. No new special features were included, with the exception of a few new commentaries, none of which any of the actors participated in. The Blu-ray contains exactly the same release as previous DVD editions with the extended scenes edited back into the film with noticeable picture quality changes. There has yet to be a release of the full, uncut print from a single source.<ref>Each release of the film on DVD and Blu-ray by Anchor Bay Entertainment features notable differences in quality between the footage of the theatrical cut, and the excised footage re-integrated into the film. It is noticeable (and noted) on both the 2003 DVD release and 2014 Blu-ray.</ref> |
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==Reception== |
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On December 5, 2017, [[Shout! Factory]], under its [[Scream Factory]] label, released the film in a two-disc set collector's edition on [[Blu-ray]] and [[DVD]]. It contains the film remastered in a 4K resolution from the original negative. It also contained new special features such as an interview and audio commentary from actors Robert Brian Wilson and Linnea Quigley, co-executive producers Scott J. Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, writer Michael Hickey, music composer Perry Botkin, and editor Michael Spence. It also contained a new documentary on the making of the film entitled ''Slay Bells Ring: The Story of Silent Night, Deadly Night'' which included interviews from the cast and crew. The original theatrical trailer, radio and TV spots are included. It also contained the original special features from the 2003 and 2012 DVD and 2014 Blu-ray releases as well. |
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===Box office=== |
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On its opening weekend, the film finished eighth, grossing $1,432,800.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 13, 1984|title='Oh, God! You Devil' Snags $5.5 Mil Nationally|last=Greenberg|first=James|page=4}}</ref> It outgrossed [[Wes Craven]]'s landmark slasher ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street]]'', which opened the same day (albeit in 235 fewer theaters).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3469204/day-1984-nightmare-elm-street-silent-night-deadly-night-released/|title=On This Day in 1984, 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' AND 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' Were Released|first=John|last=Squires|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=November 9, 2017|access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> Before being pulled from theaters, it grossed over $2.4 million in its first 10 days of release.<ref name=bo/> |
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=== Critical response === |
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Scream Factory also released a limited edition deluxe offer that contained the collector's edition set along with a 18x24 size poster of the new artwork for the film, as well as an 8" tall figure of Billy in his Santa suit holding his double-bit axe. This offer was limited to 2,000 orders and pre-orders started on September 7, 2017.<ref>https://www.shoutfactory.com/product/silent-night-deadly-night-deluxe-limited-edition-with-exclusive-action-figure?product_id=6463</ref> |
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On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Silent Night, Deadly Night'' holds an approval rating of 50% based on 28 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1018989-silent_night_deadly_night/|title=Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=November 9, 2024}}</ref> {{Metacritic film prose |score=31 |count=5|access-date=December 23, 2022}}<ref>{{cite Metacritic |id=silent-night-deadly-night |title=Silent Night, Deadly Night Reviews |type=movie |access-date=December 23, 2022}}</ref> |
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[[Siskel and Ebert]] condemned the film, and Siskel went as far as to read names of the film's production crew on air, telling them, "Shame on you". [[Gene Siskel]] also said that all the money the filmmakers were making off of this film was "[[Blood money (restitution)|blood money]]".<ref>{{cite episode|url= https://siskelebert.org/?p=1648 |series=[[At the Movies (1982 TV program)|At the Movies]] |title=Silent Night, Deadly Night |date=24 November 1984 |season=3 |number=9 |time=18:34 |access-date= October 27, 2024 |via=SiskelEbert.org}}</ref> |
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==Sequels and remake== |
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{{Main|Silent Night, Deadly Night (franchise)}} |
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Due to the minor success of the film, four sequels were created, two of which, ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2]]'' and ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out!]]'', focus on Billy's younger brother Ricky turning evil and becoming a serial killer similar to his older brother, in which he was killed from having become insane because of his past. ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation]]'' and ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker]]'', however, are entirely different and each focuses on a different Christmas-themed horror story. |
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[[Leonard Maltin]] also denounced the movie, calling it a "...worthless [[splatter film]]", citing it as a "BOMB" and asking: "What's next, the [[Easter Bunny]] as a child molester?"<ref>{{cite book|title=Maltin's TV, Movie, & Video Guide |year= |publisher= }}</ref> A ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' review argued that whatever arguments the film was making on the commercialism of Christmas were overshadowed by the graphic violence, which the reviewer saw as off-putting.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} Michael Wilmington wrote in the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'': "[it's] safe to predict that ''Silent Night, Deadly Night''... will start making 'Worst Movie of All Time' lists almost immediately".<ref>{{cite news |last=Wilmington |first=Michael |date=March 11, 1986 |title=Silent Night, Deadly Night |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |page=C5}}</ref> |
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A loose remake of the film, titled ''[[Silent Night (2012 film)|Silent Night]]'', was released on December 4, 2012, starring [[Jaime King]] and [[Malcolm McDowell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/54429/malcolm-mcdowell-talks-silent-night-deadly-night-remake|title=Malcolm McDowell Talks Silent Night, Deadly Night Remake |publisher=Dread Central |accessdate=April 18, 2012}}</ref> |
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One positive notice came from Kirk Ellis from ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', who complimented director Sellier's "workmanlike competence" and praised the cinematography and Gilmer McCormack's performance as Sister Margaret.<ref name=afi>{{Cite web|url= https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/67730 |title=Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) |publisher=[[American Film Institute]]|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> |
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==References== |
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== Sequels and remakes == |
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{{Main|Silent Night, Deadly Night (film series)}} |
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Due to the minor success of the film, four sequels were produced. The first two, ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2]]'' and ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out!]]'', focus on Billy's younger brother Ricky becoming a serial killer. However, ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation]]'' and ''[[Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker]]'' have no connection with the characters from the previous films, with each of them focusing on a different Christmas-themed horror story. |
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A loose remake of the film, titled ''[[Silent Night (2012 film)|Silent Night]]'', was released on December 4, 2012, starring [[Jaime King]] and [[Malcolm McDowell]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/04/malcolm-mcdowell-talks-silent-night-halloween-and-a-clockwork-orange |title=Malcolm McDowell Talks Silent Night, Halloween and A Clockwork Orange |date=December 4, 2012 |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=October 27, 2024}}</ref> |
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On March 2, 2021, another remake was announced when Orwo Studios and Black Hanger Studios acquired the rights to the original film.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/controversial-horror-film-silent-night-deadly-night-getting-reboot-from-jeepers-creepers-reborn-outfit-efm-1234704653/ |title=Controversial Horror Film 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' Getting Reboot From 'Jeepers Creepers: Reborn' Outfit — EFM|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=March 2, 2021|access-date=March 2, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3654268/silent-night-deadly-night-slasher-franchise-coming-back-life-brand-new-movie/| title = 'Silent Night, Deadly Night': Slasher Franchise Coming Back to Life With Brand New Movie! |website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]| date = March 2, 2021}}</ref> The film has been shelved as of 2024. |
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The 2022 film ''[[Christmas Bloody Christmas]]'' began as a pitch for a remake of ''Silent Night, Deadly Night''. The pitch was rejected for straying too far from the original, then was further developed into its own film.<ref name="Slashfilm">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1151831/joe-begos-wrote-christmas-bloody-christmas-for-all-the-dirtbag-metalheads/ | title = Joe Begos Wrote Christmas Bloody Christmas For All The 'Dirtbag Metalheads' |website= Slashfilm| date = 1 January 2023}}</ref> |
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In November 2024, a "reimagining" of the film was announced to be produced by [[Cineverse]]. The movie is set to be written and directed by Mike P. Nelson, and is set for a late 2025 release. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/terrifier-cineverse-launches-silent-night-deadly-night-reboot-afm-1236171018/ | title = 'Terrifier' Outfit Cineverse Launches Reimagining Of Controversial Cult Horror 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' — AFM |website= [[Deadline Hollywood]]| date = November 8, 2024}}</ref> |
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== References == |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
{{reflist|30em}} |
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==Works cited== |
== Works cited == |
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*{{Cite book|title=Horror Films of the 1980s|volume=1|publisher=McFarland|year=2012|author=Muir, John Kenneth|isbn=978-0-786-47298-7|ref={{SfnRef|Muir|2012}}}} |
* {{Cite book|title=Horror Films of the 1980s|volume=1|publisher=McFarland|year=2012|author=Muir, John Kenneth|isbn=978-0-786-47298-7|ref={{SfnRef|Muir|2012}}}} |
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*{{Cite book|title=Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986|author=Rockoff, Adam|year=2011|isbn= 978-0-78646-932-1|publisher=McFarland|ref={{SfnRef|Rockoff|2011}}}} |
* {{Cite book|title=Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986|author=Rockoff, Adam|year=2011|isbn= 978-0-78646-932-1|publisher=McFarland|ref={{SfnRef|Rockoff|2011}}}} |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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* {{IMDb title|0088117|Silent Night, Deadly Night}} |
* {{IMDb title|0088117|Silent Night, Deadly Night}} |
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* {{TCMDb title|id=90137}} |
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* {{allrovi movie|44692|Silent Night, Deadly Night}} |
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* {{AFI film|67730}} |
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* {{rotten-tomatoes|1018989-silent_night_deadly_night|Silent Night, Deadly Night}} |
* {{rotten-tomatoes|1018989-silent_night_deadly_night|Silent Night, Deadly Night}} |
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* [http://www.i-mockery.com/minimocks/silent-night-deadly-night ''Silent Night, Deadly Night'' review with animated screenshots] |
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* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RK4N-63HYBw At the Movies, 1984-Silent Night, Deadly Night] |
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{{Silent Night, Deadly Night}} |
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[[Category:Films with screenplays by Michael Hickey]] |
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[[Category:American religious horror films]] |
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[[Category:1980s English-language films]] |
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[[Category:1980s American films]] |
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[[Category:English-language horror thriller films]] |
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[[Category:English-language independent films]] |
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[[Category:English-language Christmas films]] |
Latest revision as of 12:17, 24 December 2024
Silent Night, Deadly Night | |
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Directed by | Charles E. Sellier Jr. |
Screenplay by | Michael Hickey |
Story by | Paul Caimi |
Produced by | Ira Richard Barmak Scott J. Schneid Dennis Whitehead |
Starring |
|
Cinematography | Henning Schellerup |
Edited by | Michael Spence |
Music by | Perry Botkin |
Production company | Slayride Productions Inc. |
Distributed by | Tri-Star Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 minutes 85 minutes (Unrated) |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $750,000[1] |
Box office | $2.5 million[2] |
Silent Night, Deadly Night is a 1984 American slasher film directed by Charles E. Sellier, Jr., and starring Robert Brian Wilson, Lilyan Chauvin, Gilmer McCormick, Toni Nero, and Linnea Quigley. The story concerns a young man named Billy Chapman, who suffers from post-traumatic stress over witnessing his parents' murder on Christmas Eve by a man disguised as Santa Claus and his subsequent upbringing in an abusive Catholic orphanage. In adulthood, the Christmas holiday leads him into a psychological breakdown, and he emerges as a spree killer donning a Santa suit.
The film was released by Tri-Star Pictures on November 9, 1984; it received substantial controversy over its promotional material and content, which featured a killer Santa Claus. In addition to receiving mixed reviews, it was pulled from theaters a week after its release. However, it was a success during its opening week, grossing $2.5 million on a budget of $750,000. Since its release, it has developed a cult following[3] and spawned a series, consisting of four sequels, with the fourth and fifth installments having no connection to the original film, as well as a loose remake in 2012. Another reboot is in development.
Plot
In 1971, 5-year-old Billy Chapman and his family visit a nursing home in Utah where his catatonic grandfather lives. When Billy's parents leave the room, his grandfather suddenly awakens and tells Billy to fear Santa Claus, as he punishes the naughty.
On the way back home, a criminal dressed in a Santa suit – who had just robbed a liquor store and killed the owner – attempts to carjack the family. As Billy's father tries to drive away, the criminal shoots him dead and attempts to sexually assault Billy's mother; when she hits him, he slashes her throat with a switchblade. Billy flees and hides, leaving his baby brother Ricky in the car.
Three years later, in December 1974, 8-year-old Billy and 4-year-old Ricky are celebrating Christmas in an orphanage run by Mother Superior, a strict disciplinarian who beats children who misbehave and considers punishment to be a "good" thing. Sister Margaret, who sympathizes with the children, tries to help Billy, but he is regularly punished. On Christmas, the orphanage invites a man in a Santa Claus suit to visit the children; Billy, forced to sit on his lap by Mother Superior, punches the man before fleeing to his room in horror.
10 years later, in the spring of 1984, Billy, now 18, leaves the orphanage for a normal life, and obtains a job as a stock boy at a local toy store, with support from Sister Margaret. At the store, he develops a crush on his co-worker Pamela; he has sexual thoughts which are often interrupted by morbid visions of his parents' murders. On Christmas Eve, the employee who plays the store's Santa Claus is injured and Billy's boss Mr. Sims makes him take his place. After the store closes, the staff has a Christmas Eve party. Billy, still in a Santa Claus suit, tries to have a good time, but keeps having memories of his parents' murders, causing him to feel depressed. He sees his co-workers Andy and Pamela kissing and then walking into the back room. Billy follows them and sees Andy trying to rape Pamela. This triggers his insanity; he hangs Andy with a string of Christmas lights and, declaring that punishment is "good", murders Pamela with a box cutter.
Next, Billy murders Mr. Sims and his manager Mrs. Randall. Sister Margaret discovers the carnage and goes to the police station to seek help. Billy breaks into a nearby house where a young couple named Denise and Tommy are having sex and a little girl named Cindy is sleeping; he impales Denise on a set of deer antlers and throws Tommy through a window. When this awakens Cindy, Billy asks if she has been nice or naughty; she says nice, and he gives her the box cutter he had used earlier. After this, he witnesses bullies picking on two teenage boys and stealing their sleds, and decapitates one of the bullies with his axe.
The next morning, Captain Richards and Sister Margaret deduce Billy will go to the orphanage, where Ricky is still living. Officer Barnes responds to orders to secure the orphanage and kills a pastor, Father O'Brien, who was dressed in a Santa outfit, mistaking him for Billy. As Barnes continues patrolling the area, he is struck in the chest by Billy's axe. Billy confronts Mother Superior, now in a wheelchair. Just as he prepares to kill her, Richards shoots him in the back. Billy drops to the floor and tells the children "You're safe now, Santa Claus is gone", before dying from his injuries. A 14-year-old Ricky, scowling at Mother Superior, utters "Naughty.", indicating his revenge on her for his brother’s death.
Cast
- Robert Brian Wilson as Billy Chapman Age 18
- Danny Wagner as Eight-Year-Old Billy Chapman
- Jonathan Best as Five-Year-Old Billy Chapman
- Alex Burton as Richard "Ricky" Chapman
- Max Broadhead as Four-Year-Old Ricky Chapman
- Melissa Best (Jonathan's real-life sister) as Infant Ricky Chapman
- Lilyan Chauvin as Mother Superior
- Gilmer McCormick as Sister Margaret
- Toni Nero as Pamela
- Britt Leach as Mr. Sims
- Nancy Borgenicht as Mrs. Helen Randall
- Linnea Quigley as Denise
- Will Hare as Grandpa Chapman
- Tara Buckman as Ellie Chapman
- Geoff Hansen (credited as Jeff Hansen) as Jim Chapman
- Charles Dierkop as "Killer Santa", a criminal in a Santa Claus outfit
- Don Shanks as Santa climbing in window
- Judith Roberts as Mother Superior (uncredited)
Production
The concept of the film was pitched by executive producer Scott J. Schiend who at the time, accepted screenplay ideas in submissions from the public. One of these was a short story entitled He Sees You When You're Sleeping written by a Harvard University student named Paul Caimi. The story was about a killer Santa Claus and Schiend was impressed with the concept even though he disliked slasher films. He then contacted writer Michael Hickey and requested him to write a screenplay based on the short story in which he agreed. Afterwards, Hickey sent the screenplay to Tri-Star Pictures who were pleased with it and agreed to finance and distribute the film.
The film's working title during production was Slayride and it was to be produced by Slayride Productions Inc. Producer Ira Richard Barmak was recruited by Tri-Star to produce the film. Executive producers, Scott J. Schiend and Dennis Whitehead were hoping to hire a new and young director who would be the "next John Carpenter" and considered Sam Raimi, Albert Magnoli, and Ken Kwapis for the position. Tri-Star expressed interests in television producer Charles E. Sellier Jr. who was well known for producing the Life and Times of Grizzly Adams motion picture and TV series. Schiend and Whitehead disagreed believing that a veteran producer would not give the film a good look and reputation; however, Tri-Star insisted and eventually hired Sellier for the position.
Principal photography lasted from March to April 1983 and was shot on location in Heber City and Midway, Utah. At the time, most of the snow was beginning to melt, so the production crew raced to shoot all exterior shots first. Numerous buildings were used for the interior scenes during filming. The orphanage building was an abandoned school house that was renovated by the crew during production. It was then demolished not long after filming concluded. The Ira's Toys building was a vacant building that was rented out by the crew. As of 2022, it still stands and is currently a gym. During filming, director Charles E. Sellier Jr. was too uncomfortable with shooting the murder sequences and this resulted in editor Michael Spence to come in as the stand-in director for these scenes.
The film's cast mainly consisted of local actors in the state of Utah. Lead star Robert Brian Wilson (Billy at age 18) was at the time living in Salt Lake City and had no acting experience. He auditioned for his role as the request of his girlfriend. No major and well-known actors were featured in the film and many mostly had experience in only television acting roles.
During post-production, TriStar had decided to change the Slayride title of the film to Silent Night, Deadly Night. Music composer Perry Botkin was hired to compose the musical score; he did so by watching a betamax copy of the film while composing the score as it played. Afterwards, TriStar hired graphic designer Burt Kleeger to create the infamous theatrical release poster that depicted Santa Claus climbing down a chimney while holding a double-bit axe that also included the film's tagline: "You've made it through Halloween, now try and survive Christmas" along with "He knows when you've been naughty".
Because the film's concept had been done before in the 1980 horror film Christmas Evil as well as the first segment of the 1972 horror anthology film, Tales from the Crypt, the producers and TriStar were not concerned about the killer Santa Claus theme being controversial. However, there was concern that the portrayal of the Catholic Church in the film would be. Because of this, TriStar agreed to distribute the film in a limited release in the mostly protestant midwestern United States before moving forward with releasing it in the dominantly catholic northeastern United States. TriStar set the film's theatrical release date as November 9, 1984, around the start of the Christmas season. Robert Brian Wilson expressed dissatisfaction with this decision, believing that the film should have been released around Halloween to cause less controversy.
Release
The film was released theatrically by Tri-Star Pictures on November 9, 1984,[4] opening in 398 theaters in the Midwest United States.[5]
In November 2013, it was announced that Fangoria in association with Brainstorm Media and Screenvision would be re-releasing the film to theaters in the United States throughout December 2013.[6]
Marketing
Silent Night, Deadly Night was one of the most controversial films of the 1980s due to its advertising campaign, particularly its posters and TV spots, that made significant emphasis on the killer being dressed as Santa Claus.[7] The PTA fought to have this film removed from theaters due to its subject matter and the fact that it was shown around Christmas, although an earlier film with a similar premise, Christmas Evil, had gone unnoticed. Television advertisements, which aired between episodes of family-friendly series such as Little House on the Prairie, led to parents complaining that their children were terrified of Santa Claus.[5] Large crowds (mostly angry families) formed at theaters and malls around the nation to protest the film; at the film's East Coast premiere at the Interboro Quad Theater in The Bronx in New York City, protesters picketed the theater and sang Christmas carols in protest.[8][9]
"Most protests were generated by the feeling that the depiction of a killer in a Santa Claus suit would traumatize children and undermine their traditional trust in Santa Claus."
In response, Tri-Star Pictures (which was the joint venture between Columbia Pictures, HBO, and CBS), the film's original distributor, pulled all ads for the film on November 15, 1984, six days after its release.[5] The film itself was also withdrawn shortly thereafter, due to the controversy.[10] In response to the public outcry, producer Ira Barmak told People magazine: "People have taken offense at Santa being used in a scary context... Santa Claus is not a religious figure, he's a mythic character. I didn't deliberately ride roughshod over that sensitivity and I didn't anticipate the objection to it."[11] An editorial published in Variety stated: "Most protests were generated by the feeling that the depiction of a killer in a Santa Claus suit would traumatize children and undermine their traditional trust in Santa Claus."[5] When the film was castigated at length by Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, the backlash against the film became louder and more widespread. Barmak responded to the Siskel & Ebert review, saying: "They were coming off on an enormous amounts of publicity on that pictures, and I think that they knew that by reviewing that picture on their show, they would get higher ratings. Shame on you Siskel and shame on you Ebert. Because I don't believe, I think that it was the height of hypocrisy for them to take that attitude. If they genuinely were horrified by the picture, they knew very well that the most effective thing they could've done was to not review the picture".
In the 2006 documentary Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, Lilyan Chauvin, who plays Mother Superior, blamed the controversy on the film's marketing campaign. She argued that the marketing should have focused more on Billy's trauma rather than the killer Santa aspect.
The film was due to be re-released by an independent distributor, Aquarius Films, in May 1985, with an ad campaign replacing the original "Twas the night before Christmas"-themed trailer with a new one that centered on the controversy surrounding the film and edited out all close-up shots of Billy in the Santa suit with weapons. The print ad material also replaced the original 'Chimney' picture with one that talked about the controversy. However, the film only had further test engagements.[12]
Home media
Originally planned to be released on home media by RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video in early 1985, the home media release was cancelled. The film was then originally released on VHS and Beta in May 1986 through USA Home Video. The film was released on Laserdisc in 1987 and reissued on VHS by International Video Entertainment in 1987 and 1988. In 1992, the film was last released on VHS for the last time by Avid Home Entertainment.
The film was released on as a double feature disc alongside sequel Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 in 2003.[13] The second release was in 2007.[14] The first two Region 1 releases are out of print.
In the United Kingdom, the film was never submitted for certification to the BBFC, and its sequel was denied a video certificate in 1987 after the distributors refused to make the cuts required for an '18' certificate. However, in 2009, Arrow Films submitted the film to the BBFC for classification, who passed the film uncut with an 18 certificate.[15] The Arrow Films DVD was released on November 23, 2009.
On December 4, 2012, the film was again released in the U.S. alongside Part 2 as a two-disc "Christmas Survival Double Feature", containing the same archival bonus features as the 2003 release.[16]
On September 16, 2014, it was released on Blu-ray by Anchor Bay/Starz Entertainment. No new special features were included, with the exception of a few new commentaries, none of which any of the actors participated in. The Blu-ray contains exactly the same release as previous DVD editions with the extended scenes edited back into the film with noticeable picture quality changes. There has yet to be a release of the full, uncut print from a single source.[17]
On December 5, 2017, Shout! Factory, under its Scream Factory label, released the film in a two-disc set collector's edition on Blu-ray and DVD. It contains the film remastered in a 4K resolution from the original negative sourced from the original R-rated theatrical cut while the unrated version used SD inserts. It also contained new special features such as an interview and audio commentary from actors Robert Brian Wilson and Linnea Quigley, co-executive producers Scott J. Schneid and Dennis Whitehead, writer Michael Hickey, music composer Perry Botkin, and editor Michael Spence. It also contained a new documentary on the making of the film entitled Slay Bells Ring: The Story of Silent Night, Deadly Night which included interviews from the cast and crew. The original theatrical trailer, radio and TV spots are included. It also contained the original special features from the 2003 and 2012 DVD and 2014 Blu-ray releases as well.
Scream Factory also released a limited edition deluxe offer that contained the collector's edition set along with a 18x24 size poster of the new artwork for the film, as well as an 8" tall figure of Billy in his Santa suit holding his double-bit axe. This offer was limited to 2,000 orders and pre-orders started on September 7, 2017.[18]
Reception
Box office
On its opening weekend, the film finished eighth, grossing $1,432,800.[19] It outgrossed Wes Craven's landmark slasher A Nightmare on Elm Street, which opened the same day (albeit in 235 fewer theaters).[20] Before being pulled from theaters, it grossed over $2.4 million in its first 10 days of release.[2]
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Silent Night, Deadly Night holds an approval rating of 50% based on 28 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10.[21] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 31 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.[22]
Siskel and Ebert condemned the film, and Siskel went as far as to read names of the film's production crew on air, telling them, "Shame on you". Gene Siskel also said that all the money the filmmakers were making off of this film was "blood money".[23]
Leonard Maltin also denounced the movie, calling it a "...worthless splatter film", citing it as a "BOMB" and asking: "What's next, the Easter Bunny as a child molester?"[24] A Variety review argued that whatever arguments the film was making on the commercialism of Christmas were overshadowed by the graphic violence, which the reviewer saw as off-putting.[citation needed] Michael Wilmington wrote in the Los Angeles Times: "[it's] safe to predict that Silent Night, Deadly Night... will start making 'Worst Movie of All Time' lists almost immediately".[25]
One positive notice came from Kirk Ellis from The Hollywood Reporter, who complimented director Sellier's "workmanlike competence" and praised the cinematography and Gilmer McCormack's performance as Sister Margaret.[26]
Sequels and remakes
Due to the minor success of the film, four sequels were produced. The first two, Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 and Silent Night, Deadly Night 3: Better Watch Out!, focus on Billy's younger brother Ricky becoming a serial killer. However, Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation and Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker have no connection with the characters from the previous films, with each of them focusing on a different Christmas-themed horror story.
A loose remake of the film, titled Silent Night, was released on December 4, 2012, starring Jaime King and Malcolm McDowell.[27]
On March 2, 2021, another remake was announced when Orwo Studios and Black Hanger Studios acquired the rights to the original film.[28][29] The film has been shelved as of 2024.
The 2022 film Christmas Bloody Christmas began as a pitch for a remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night. The pitch was rejected for straying too far from the original, then was further developed into its own film.[30]
In November 2024, a "reimagining" of the film was announced to be produced by Cineverse. The movie is set to be written and directed by Mike P. Nelson, and is set for a late 2025 release. [31]
References
- ^ Squires, John (December 22, 2014). "30th Anniversary Silent Night, Deadly Night Retrospective: Part 1". Dead Central. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ a b "Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2: So Bad It's Good". Flavorwire. December 12, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
- ^ "The Six Slays of Christmas - Day Five". Dread Central. December 23, 2011. Archived from the original on May 13, 2012. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Kerswell, J.A. "Ho-Ho-HOMICIDE: The Silent Night, Deadly Night Controversy". Hysteria Lives!. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ "A Once Controversial Release, "Silent Night, Deadly Night" Gains Another Chance to Terrorize". Film at Lincoln Center. December 5, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ Rockoff 2011, p. 156.
- ^ Muir 2012, p. 412.
- ^ Maslin, Janet (November 16, 1984). "AT THE MOVIEW ; 'Silent Night' furor hasn't sold tickets". The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film (DVD (Region 1)). United States: THINKfilm. 2006.
- ^ Grant, Stacey (December 12, 2015). "Why Silent Night, Deadly Night Is the Best Christmas Horror Movie You've Never Seen". MTV. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022.
- ^ "No Christmas Present for 'Silent Night'". Variety. September 5, 1985. p. 1.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night / Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 (DVD)". DVD Empire. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night (DVD)". DVD Empire. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved April 13, 2011.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night: Parts 1 & 2". Amazon. December 4, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
- ^ Each release of the film on DVD and Blu-ray by Anchor Bay Entertainment features notable differences in quality between the footage of the theatrical cut, and the excised footage re-integrated into the film. It is noticeable (and noted) on both the 2003 DVD release and 2014 Blu-ray.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night [Collector's Edition] - Blu-ray". Shout! Factory. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017.
- ^ Greenberg, James (November 13, 1984). "'Oh, God! You Devil' Snags $5.5 Mil Nationally". Variety. p. 4.
- ^ Squires, John (November 9, 2017). "On This Day in 1984, 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' AND 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' Were Released". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night". At the Movies. Season 3. Episode 9. November 24, 1984. Event occurs at 18:34. Retrieved October 27, 2024 – via SiskelEbert.org.
- ^ Maltin's TV, Movie, & Video Guide.
- ^ Wilmington, Michael (March 11, 1986). "Silent Night, Deadly Night". Los Angeles Times. p. C5.
- ^ "Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
- ^ "Malcolm McDowell Talks Silent Night, Halloween and A Clockwork Orange". IGN. December 4, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2024.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (March 2, 2021). "Controversial Horror Film 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' Getting Reboot From 'Jeepers Creepers: Reborn' Outfit — EFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ "'Silent Night, Deadly Night': Slasher Franchise Coming Back to Life With Brand New Movie!". Bloody Disgusting. March 2, 2021.
- ^ "Joe Begos Wrote Christmas Bloody Christmas For All The 'Dirtbag Metalheads'". Slashfilm. January 1, 2023.
- ^ "'Terrifier' Outfit Cineverse Launches Reimagining Of Controversial Cult Horror 'Silent Night, Deadly Night' — AFM". Deadline Hollywood. November 8, 2024.
Works cited
- Muir, John Kenneth (2012). Horror Films of the 1980s. Vol. 1. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-786-47298-7.
- Rockoff, Adam (2011). Going to Pieces: The Rise and Fall of the Slasher Film, 1978-1986. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-78646-932-1.
External links
- 1984 films
- 1984 horror films
- 1984 thriller films
- 1980s horror thriller films
- 1984 independent films
- 1980s slasher films
- 1980s Christmas horror films
- 1980s exploitation films
- American exploitation films
- American psychological horror films
- American psychological thriller films
- American splatter films
- American independent films
- American thriller films
- American Christmas horror films
- American slasher films
- Christianity-related controversies in film
- Films set in 1971
- Films set in 1974
- Films set in 1984
- Films set in Utah
- Films shot in Salt Lake City
- Films shot in Utah
- Santa Claus in film
- Silent Night, Deadly Night films
- TriStar Pictures films
- Censored films
- Advertising and marketing controversies in film
- Obscenity controversies in film
- Films about child abuse
- Films about rape in the United States
- Films about orphans
- Films about post-traumatic stress disorder
- Films about mass murder
- Films about sexual repression
- Films about Catholic nuns
- Films directed by Charles Sellier
- Films scored by Perry Botkin Jr.
- Films with screenplays by Michael Hickey
- American religious horror films
- 1980s English-language films
- 1980s American films
- English-language horror thriller films
- English-language independent films
- English-language Christmas films