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Author
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Topic: BLACK CHRISTMAS marketing 2 x400 ft
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Robert Aragon
Master Film Handler
Posts: 264
From: Santa Fe
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted August 20, 2006 02:12 PM
Black Christmas. The title alone conjures weird images, at least in my mind it does. I watched this film in the theatre in 1974, at the tender age of 10. I was a veteran of horror films, surviving the TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and NIGHT of the LIVING DEAD at the even MORE tender age of 5.
I was reared on the Classic terror tale, but by the late 60's, things had become graphic and gratuitous. So, i was looking for a "modern" interpretation of Fear with class and thought. BLACK CHRISTMAS does capsulate a terror which other "slasher" films prior or since have failed. The reason is simple. The human mind. IT lifts the veil of comfort and reveals subconscious primal fears of doubt and vulnerability.
Our leading lady is Olivia Hussey, and what a lady she is. As one watches the film, the male instinctively would give ones life to defend such feminine beauty and gentility from the hands of ANY killer, let alone the phone crazed "billy".
Then we have Margot Kidder. Oh my god! The stereotypical loud mouthed vulgar rude arrogant "liberated" modern american woman of the time. No wonder the Killer let her have it in her sleep. Just to keep her views to herself. He waited too long, for my taste, i would have silenced her foul mouth the moment she opened it. Another of my digressions.
The film has some disturbing images and scenes. Violence is essential to the story, and therefore, completely acceptable.
Unfortunately the violence in this film gave way to terrible exaggeration in the future aka HALLOWEEN, NIGHTMARE ON ELM ST. and FRIDAY the 13th. Black Christmas should in no way be placed along side those other titles.
The AGFA Digest is PERFECTLY edited. Utilizing the finest in negative material, MARKETING FILMS had been able to capture the horrific pace and tempo of the psychotic killer himself. SHARP and with good color. Like other of Bob Clark's films, the color of the original film had a "murky" quality to it. IT was NOT released with EYE popping blues and reds. The colors were purposely muted and stifled, like so many of the victims screams.
The sound was in german, but, not a difficult thing to re-record, since most of the scenes are long edits to begin with.
When all is said and done, this is a truly disturbing showcase of storytelling. Fortunately, not all stories end happily ever after. That may only serve us as a reminder to appreciate and celebrate every moment. On the other hand, What are you capable of doing? What "black" thoughts and actions lie dormant within you?
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Robert Aragon
Master Film Handler
Posts: 264
From: Santa Fe
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted August 21, 2006 11:16 AM
well, Seriously Guys. IF you purchase these prints and want a re-recording. Send it my way. My nephew (13) is into film now. We have worked out a system where, we made a digital transfer of picture and sound of my original re-recording of a specific title, he than synchronizes and re-records as many prints of that title into Stereo, MONO, or what not. He makes other film collectors happy, he raises some money which goes back into purchasing his prints and the like. We have done this with Earthquake, raiders of the lost ark, war of the worlds 3 x400, SO MANY...all of my films actually. EVEN the PLANET of the APES series. So, dont hesitate to find these due to the german sound. That is a "problem" easily resolved.
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