I love that the movie's not just a bunch of killing and mayhem; there is building up of atmosphere and dread, there is character development, there is tremendous suspense, and comedy relief moments. Such a solid thriller-- I like it as much as "Halloween". One thing which struck me deeply about this movie was its sound and the music score. Unlike anything else in the genre. Plus, the phone calls from Billy totally become so disturbing as the film progresses. It gets under the skin.
I love it too, but Bob Clark correctly says here that "there is almost no real music." It's really mostly certain sounds. Therefore, I don't think complimenting a score that really doesn't exist makes sense.
I talked to him at Monsterpalooza in 2017-18? before the pandemic and he was very persistent about backing the original, and had no interest in viewing remakes. Haha...
I’d absolutely love to know what Stephen King thinks about this film. I’ve read his musing on many, many horror novels and movies, most notably in his terrific non-fiction book Danse Macabre, but I’ve never heard him talk about this one. I suspect he’d praise it highly, as one of his main takeaways from Danse Macabre is that once a horror film reveals its “monster,” be it a creature of some sort or villain, it loses the vast majority of its “punch.” By choosing to never quite show Billy in the movie, Clark avoids this issue entirely, no doubt a big element of this film’s success and ongoing appeal. What a great directorial choice. I love, too, how this film was actually fairly obscure even as recently as the early 2000s. It’s only come to receive the accolades it so richly deserves in the last decade or so.
Which is also why Black Christmas 2006 and 2019 suck so badly, among other reasons. The fact that Black Christmas 2006 tried making its villain MORE sympathetic than the main characters
@@GuineaPigEveryday Right. Why make the killer more sympathetic? Boggles the mind. We're supposed to fear the evil, not pity its bad upbringing. Same thing happened with Rob Zombie's take on Halloween. Stupid choices.
This movie will forever be a Horror Classic! No Movie has scared me none other then what Black Christmas did with it's cinematography, and score, this movie will always have a special place in my heart! Bob Clark really made it his own and this is coming from the same Director who made A Christmas Story! I Find it so insane in a good way that you Never see Billy you really only see his shadow reflection or eye. Props to Bob Clark this movie is honestly Underrated and deserves alot more love! The POV Shots we're well done and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time when watching!
While it's obvious that John Carpenter was heavily inspired by Black Christmas, Carpenter has said in interviews that he'd never seen Black Christmas before coming up with Halloween. I don't buy it for a second...but that's what he claims.
@@Brendan-BlackIt's weird because in this video Clark says outright that John was a fan of Black Christmas. So I'm with you: Carpenter is fibbing about never having seen it. Never saw it ... yeah, sure, John. Pull the other one. :D
Pretty sure it was Nick Mancuso (who did most of the voices on the phone), if you look at a picture of him from the 70s his eyes and face shape are similar to his.
I love that the movie's not just a bunch of killing and mayhem; there is building up of atmosphere and dread, there is character development, there is tremendous suspense, and comedy relief moments. Such a solid thriller-- I like it as much as "Halloween". One thing which struck me deeply about this movie was its sound and the music score. Unlike anything else in the genre. Plus, the phone calls from Billy totally become so disturbing as the film progresses. It gets under the skin.
Yes you're right.
I couldn't sleep when I watched it the first time.
@@juliaschmidt6511 I believe that. When I watch it nowadays I do total darkness and use headphones, just to scare the bejeebers out of myself. :)
@@eduardo_corrochioMe, too.
Watched it last weekend in total darkness and with earphones.
It still scares the shit out of me 😅
I love it too, but Bob Clark correctly says here that "there is almost no real music." It's really mostly certain sounds. Therefore, I don't think complimenting a score that really doesn't exist makes sense.
RIP John Saxon (1936 - 2020).
I talked to him at Monsterpalooza in 2017-18? before the pandemic and he was very persistent about backing the original, and had no interest in viewing remakes. Haha...
RIP Olivia Hussey
God damn RIP Bob Clark man thank you for posting this
I absolutely love this film❤
I’d absolutely love to know what Stephen King thinks about this film. I’ve read his musing on many, many horror novels and movies, most notably in his terrific non-fiction book Danse Macabre, but I’ve never heard him talk about this one. I suspect he’d praise it highly, as one of his main takeaways from Danse Macabre is that once a horror film reveals its “monster,” be it a creature of some sort or villain, it loses the vast majority of its “punch.” By choosing to never quite show Billy in the movie, Clark avoids this issue entirely, no doubt a big element of this film’s success and ongoing appeal. What a great directorial choice. I love, too, how this film was actually fairly obscure even as recently as the early 2000s. It’s only come to receive the accolades it so richly deserves in the last decade or so.
Which is also why Black Christmas 2006 and 2019 suck so badly, among other reasons. The fact that Black Christmas 2006 tried making its villain MORE sympathetic than the main characters
@@GuineaPigEveryday Right. Why make the killer more sympathetic? Boggles the mind. We're supposed to fear the evil, not pity its bad upbringing. Same thing happened with Rob Zombie's take on Halloween. Stupid choices.
This is such a good movie!!!... freaks the shit out of me.
This movie will forever be a Horror Classic! No Movie has scared me none other then what Black Christmas did with it's cinematography, and score, this movie will always have a special place in my heart! Bob Clark really made it his own and this is coming from the same Director who made A Christmas Story! I Find it so insane in a good way that you Never see Billy you really only see his shadow reflection or eye. Props to Bob Clark this movie is honestly Underrated and deserves alot more love! The POV Shots we're well done and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time when watching!
Thanks so much for posting this! It's in my top 5 favorite movies.
BC is a great classic horror, still scares me today! Olivia and Margot look gorgeous
This movie doesn't get anywhere near enough credit. It's brilliant.
Who's eye is Billy's iconic eye?
Lots of People say Nick Mancuso but I Guess it’s a Mystery
@@Bluespeed2013 Thank you for responding. I have thought it may be Nick too. I guess it will remain a mystery
Yes!!!!
when is the blu ray with this version 'billy is watching'? does anyone know?
I’d like to know that too, I was hoping I’d find it on this channel 😭
a year late, but you can find it if you just look up "billy lenz commentary." it's on youtube for free.
@@supermothabug I can't find it, do you have a link?
Wait, there's a commentary available by the actor who voiced Billy, and it's done in character? Yikes.
@@eduardo_corrochio sadly it's not done in character, only some parts. I found the link if you want it
Steve Martin, elvis presley, the movies beloved.
A masterpiece
Black Christmas is a cult classic. Great movie.
So this is an inspiration for John Carpenter to make Halloween 🤔
While it's obvious that John Carpenter was heavily inspired by Black Christmas, Carpenter has said in interviews that he'd never seen Black Christmas before coming up with Halloween. I don't buy it for a second...but that's what he claims.
Bob Clark has said in an interview that the basic plot of Halloween came from Carpenter asking Clark what he would do for a Black Christmas sequel.
@@Brendan-BlackIt's weird because in this video Clark says outright that John was a fan of Black Christmas. So I'm with you: Carpenter is fibbing about never having seen it. Never saw it ... yeah, sure, John. Pull the other one. :D
So who is the "face" of billy????? Still not revealed after all this time....
Pretty sure it was Nick Mancuso (who did most of the voices on the phone), if you look at a picture of him from the 70s his eyes and face shape are similar to his.
creepiest movie i ever saw