I first saw this in the late 80s on a vhs. It did creeped me out then.
Revisited it recently.
This film gave tough competition to A Nightmare on Elm Street when it first released but due to some controversy, it got pulled out.
Five year ol Billy n his family visit his catatonic grandpop n while his parents were away in the doc's cabin, his grandpop awakens n tells Billy to be afraid of Santa as he punishes the one who r naughty.
Mild trauma.
On the way back home, the father stops the car seeing a person dressed as Santa asking for lift inspite of lil Billy asking the parents not to.
The Santa clad criminal kills the parents as poor Billy witnesses all this while hiding.
Solid mental trauma.
Fast forward three years n Billy is shown in an orphanage run by a very strict nun Mother Superior who assaults Billy physically trying to make him behave in front of Santa clad fellas.
Solid physical trauma.
Sister Margaret sympathizes with him n tries to help Billy play with the other children, but Billy is constantly subject to Mother Superior's punishment.
More trauma.
Margaret at one point tells Sister Superior about Billy needing help but alas...
Billy, now a grown, big-built lad works in a toy store.
His boss requests him to dress as Santa n spend time wid the kids in the store. At the same time he keeps having memories of his parents' murders.
The madness doesn't come out until sunset when Billy witnesses the manager sexually assaulting a female coworker.
This finally, psychologically, triggers his insanity.
Billy goes on a killing spree with an axe in his hand.
The film has lots of kills, one of em of the topless Linnea Quigley who doesn't seem to get tired running around naked.
Ther r two decapitations, one of em of the poor Snowman.
The acting is dull but the atmosphere is ample with some decent cinematography.
For me Mother Superior was responsible for Billy's state. Rather than admitting him into a mental institution, she kept on assaulting him. Did she deserve to die in the end? I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I had seen all the sequels on the vhs but none of it is as good as this.
For me Mother Superior was responsible for Billy's state. Rather than admitting him into a mental institution, she kept on assaulting him. Did she deserve to die in the end? I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I had seen all the sequels on the vhs but none of it is as good as this.