Christmas Evil (AKA You Better Watch Out, Terror in Toyland)

Dir: Lewis Jackson

1980

****

Santa slashers aren't really supposed to be anything other than fun or gory, Lewis Jackson's Christmas Evil is neither. It isn't even a slasher, although it was marketed as such. It does have a man in a Santa suit on somewhat of a rampage but there is nothing mindless about it. Far from it. Christmas Evil is the festive version of Taxi Driver. Our Santa is Harry Stadling, a disturbed forty something with mental health issues. Harry, like all evil Santas, was traumatised as young child during Christmas when he saw Santa (his father dressed up) getting naughty with his own mother. He blamed his brother at the time and still, as an adult, his brother looks out for him and feels responsible (which leads to an amazing climax). When work gets too much and cracks start to appear, Harry finally looses it, although not in the way you might expect. His mission is to become Santa and to dish out charity, hope and goodwill to all men but woe betide anyone who stands in his way. His mission is based on social and moral responsibility. He's quite the empathetic character, when he's not killing people as they sleep that is. Brandon Maggart's performance should have been regarded as iconic years ago. The direction is brilliant, it's an eerie thriller with an intelligent idea. Certain scenes, such as 'The Christmas party' and the films concluding shot are the stuff of cinematic brilliance. This is a misunderstood and overlooked masterpiece failed by poor marketing.