MovieChat Forums > To All a Goodnight (1980) Discussion > Doesn't get enough credit

Doesn't get enough credit

posted 8 years ago by MozartsMuse
4 replies | jump to latest

To All a Goodnight really is the first true "killer Santa" film. It also has a female killer, which sets it apart from others of this genre.

Everyone always praises Silent Night, Deadly Night, but I think To All a Goodnight is about on par. They're both generic slashers with killer Santas.

I guess I just don't understand why this film doesn't seem to be brought up as much in discussions of Christmas horror movies. It's not great, but it's not the worst movie ever made.

Welcome to Fright Night....for real. 

[–] Scarecrow-88 8 years ago

I think if this film had the same willingness to go to the gutter and be totally shameless for its near entire running time, it would be mentioned in the same breath. Hess' film kind of just goes through the motions and besides some things you mention, it doesn't have much that leaps from the screen and remains with you (or most of us) after its over. Now there does seem to be a few like you who consider it not as bad as the general consensus feels, I just think it fails to generate much excitement.

[–] lukejbarnett (1869) 5 years ago

you just defended this movie then said it's not great but it's not the worst movie ever made? you don't make a convincing case for this movie. also generic slashers doesn't make your point valid.

[–] greenbudgie (2358) 5 years ago

I've got this on my list to see this Christmas. I've just watched a movie where everybody in a Santa suit gets slashed so now it's Santa's turn to do the killing for me.

[–] Wuchak (8857) 7 months ago

The slaying Santa element prefigured “Silent Night, Deadly Night” by 4 years and “Christmas Evil” by 10 months. But “Tales From the Crypt” was the first movie to feature this angle 8 years earlier, released in 1972. Here's an image for proof: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069341/mediaviewer/rm1805464576/.