Black Christmas: Special Edition

Was anyone able to find the new DVD release of Black Christmas? I went to Best Buy and a few other stores, but I had no luck finding it. Did anyone find it?

I found it in my mailbox from DVD Planet. I'm actually surprised it arrived on its release date, seeing how they usually come before or after. Oh yeah, this SE fucking rules! I've already watched half of the extras.

How's the tour of the sorority house?

So DVD Planet is pretty quick with their shipping? I may have to order it from there then.

[marioscido]

I bought the SE a week ago in Toronto. Watched it, loved it, but was very disappointed in the last shot. Those of you who have seen the proper full screen edition will know what I mean.

It looks good, but it shouldn't be cropped at 1.66:1. I don't want to belabor this again, but Critical Mass has released this in 1.66:1 simply as a marketing ploy.

However, this is a very unsettling film, with a progressive gender reading that is miles apart from many films from the "slasher" cycle. Don't miss it. I will definitely watch again over X-mas with friends.

[KillerCannabis]

I too searched a few local stores for it and came up empty handed. Hopefully it gets into stock this week.

[kiddvideo]

I got it today at HMV for only 22.99 Cnd. Pretty sweet price, and they actually had more than one copy in stock for once.

It's on Back Order on all the online sites I go to. I pre-ordered it from Amazon about a month ago, and I'm still waiting....

[WesReviews]

I bought the SE a week ago in Toronto. Watched it, loved it, but was very disappointed in the last shot. Those of you who have seen the proper full screen edition will know what I mean.

I agree. As i pointed out in my review over at DVDDrive-In.com, I liked the 1:66:1 cropping through the whole film up until the very last shot. But you can't have everything you want, I suppose.

Those of you who have the disc, what do you think about the poster I supplied Critical Mass with? You can see a better, close-up version of it on your computer as a PDF file.

I got mine from Tower Records. I love the DVD and that poster is bad ass. Do any of those ever come up on eBay? I'd love to get my hands on one. I really liked the Documentary and the extras were great.

I have not seen this title anywhere retail. Guess I'll have to order it.

Originally posted by marioscido
Those of you who have seen the proper full screen edition will know what I mean.

Well, I haven't. Could you describe the last shot, please?

[rhett]

Spoiler: Claire's head in the plastic bag can be seen throughout the lengthy final shot as the camera pulls back in the full frame version. However, due to cropping, the face becomes momentarily matted by the black bars.

I really liked the cropping. Other than the final shot, it was a much more satisfying experience for me, it seemed much more tightly shot and claustrophobic. Mario, I respect your dislike for the widescreen transfer, but I would have to disagree on it being a marketing ploy. Nowhere in their promotional materials, or even the back of the box, is it mentioned that the film is in 1.66:1. I think CM was just trying to put out the film in the best aspect ratio possible. Considering Bob Clark was involved with the DVD only strengthens my opinion that this is the most true ratio for the film's presentation.

@rhett: Thanks!

[marioscido]

The ratio saga continues!

I love the film. No question. I appreciate the new special edition, but I don't really see much difference between the special edition and the 25th anniversary print. The cropping is so minimal that it doesn't make a huge difference - except, as I said, on the last shot (the fact that this very important shot is spoiled because of the cropping tells you something about how the film was shot). I don't see the claustrophobic argument (that I've heard repeated on this site too many times) holding up in this case, because the cropping is negligible. And that's why, in my opinion, they decided to compromise the image. Also, and other reviews have said this as well, it's the same print transfer (except for the cropping) from the 25th edition.

Rhett, you are right about the specs on the back of the box. It surprises me because I was relating what the folks at Critical Mass told me when I e-mailed them (a year ago now) about the film. They revealed to me that they had received many e-mails about the ratio on 25th version and decided to put out a cropped version to satisfy the "horror collectors" who thought they had wrongfully put out a pan and span version. And we all know that with a 'cult' film like "Black Christmas," it's word of mouth (through sites like this one) that will sell the film, not advertising. But it is still strange, for any film, not to include the visual specs on the back of the box.

Anyway, I know that people who love this film will get the SE for all of the extras. It's a great film. Whatever version you own, watch it again...