Dated but hugely influential slasher from the guy who went on to make Porky's. Set in and around a sorority house as the girls pack for their Christmas break, Bob Clark's 1974 shocker is most notable for its Halloween- inspiring killer's-POV shots. It also possesses a strong cast (John Saxon, Olivia Hussey and Keir Dullea) and moments of real tension, while the bloody demise of Margot Kidder - frenzied stabbing crosscut with children singing Christmas carols - remains crudely effective.
DVD Extras:
Helmer Bob Clark croaks out a tedious commentary, merely describing on-screen actions, while the Black Christmas webmaster takes us on a faintly interesting walk through the sorority house as it now stands. Best bet, though, is a quaint, ramshackle look-back doc. Camply hosted by support players Art Hindle and Lynne Griffin, it gathers surviving cast and crew to fondly reminisce.
