Silent Night, Bloody Night
a.k.a. Night of the Dark Full Moon / Death House
1972 · Directed by Theodore Gershuny · USA
Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972) is a proto-slasher directed by Theodore Gershuny, an early release from Cannon Films.
Mary Woronov sleepwalks through this muddled thriller, set in a town with a dark past. John Carradine is a deaf publisher who holds a deadly secret alongside the sheriff, mayor and telephone exchange operator.
Since its release the film has received some reassessment from various film critics, with praise for its atmosphere and experimental, arthouse qualities, as well as being noted as a proto-slasher, in particular its use of point-of-view shots from the killer’s perspective. A trope that would become common after its inclusion in Bob Clark’s Black Christmas.
A very odd one to really get to grips with, and certainly not one I would consider recommending, unless you are a fan of Mary Woronov. And who isn’t.
Gallery
Trailer
From the score
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Gershon Kingsley – music from Silent Night, Bloody Night