Christmas Evil (1980)

[redrunner97]

CHRISTMAS EVIL

Originally Posted by VinSyn FB

The 4K restoration being worked on as we speak...

They didn't specifically say a blu-ray release was coming in their announcement, nor did they mention if it would be the Theatrical or Director's cut (or both). However, I think it's a very safe assumption that it will be released on blu-ray since they are restoring it in 4K and have a great blu-ray friendly track record.

[MTRodaba2468]

I didn't realize Synapse no longer had the rights.

I'll certainly check this one out...

[Mateo Sanboval]

Great news. Welcome relief for my well loved VHS copy.

[SendMoreParamedics]

Not a fan of this. I thought it was awful. Both Black Christmas films and the original Silent Night, Deadly Night are my preferred holiday-themed slashers.

[HorrorBlu]

Originally Posted by MTRodaba2468

I didn't realize Synapse no longer had the rights.

I believe it is public domain.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by SendMoreParamedics

Not a fan of this. I thought it was awful. Both Black Christmas films and the original Silent Night, Deadly Night are my preferred holiday-themed slashers.

Not my cup of tea either...still patiently waiting for Silent Night, Deadly Night...some day soon I hope!

[SendMoreParamedics]

Originally Posted by *PREACHER*

Not my cup of tea either...still patiently waiting for Silent Night, Deadly Night...some day soon I hope!

The opening scene with the scary grandfather still haunts me to this day.

[*PREACHER*]

Originally Posted by SendMoreParamedics

The opening scene with the scary grandfather still haunts me to this day.

Always brings me back to this episode of Tales from the Crypt.

Tales from the Crypt - And All Through the House S01E02 Full Lenght - YouTube

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

I believe it is public domain.

Theatrical is. Director's Cut is not. Synapse may have lost rights to the DC.

[jlk5844]

Never got around to seeing Christmas Evil during my slasher movie phase. Love Silent Night, Deadly Night. Hope that one gets released this year and looks solid (and includes the uncut footage). I'm continually surprised at the number of low budget 80s slashers receiving expensive 4K scans. It's just amazing to me to see these small cult films receiving such lavish treatment. Wow. If these little films can get 4K restorations why can't most films?

[jlk5844]

Originally Posted by SendMoreParamedics

The opening scene with the scary grandfather still haunts me to this day.

Oh hell yeah! The murder of Billy's parents with the baby crying is pretty hard to watch for me every time as well.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by jlk5844

Never got around to seeing Christmas Evil during my slasher movie phase. Love Silent Night, Deadly Night. Hope that one gets released this year and looks solid (and includes the uncut footage). I'm continually surprised at the number of low budget 80s slashers receiving expensive 4K scans. It's just amazing to me to see these small cult films receiving such lavish treatment. Wow. If these little films can get 4K restorations why can't most films?

Let no one spoil the ending.

[Show spoiler]I laughed so much when I first saw it. The flick is a 85 minute set-up to a five second punchline.

[blufellas]

I don't remember ever seen this back in the 80's. Might bite when it's a good enough price.

[zbinks]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Theatrical is. Director's Cut is not. Synapse may have lost rights to the DC.

I'm not even sure the theatrical cut is legitimately public domain, either. The film was released in 1980 so, at least in theory, it should be protected from public domain until 2075, at the absolute earliest, regardless of it's filing status, per the Copyright Act of 1976.

The screenplay was registered with the US Copyright Office in 1979 by Lewis Jackson, so even if the film had no copyright protection of it's own, it should still be protected as a derivative work of a work under copyright ala It's a Wonderful Life.

Originally Posted by http://cocatalog.loc.gov

The Man in the red suit : an original screenplay / by Lewis Jackson.

Type of Work: Dramatic Work and Music; or Choreography
Registration Number / Date: PAu000133412 / 1979-06-11
Title: The Man in the red suit : an original screenplay / by Lewis Jackson.
Description: 122 p.
Copyright Claimant: Lewis Jackson
Date of Creation: 1979

Names: Jackson, Lewis, 1946-

It's possible this may be a split rights scenario, where Lewis Jackson owns the rights to his director's cut and another entity, possibly Troma, owns the rights to the theatrical cut.

[demonknight]

Originally Posted by zbinks

I'm not even sure the theatrical cut is legitimately public domain, either. The film was released in 1980 so, at least in theory, it should be protected from public domain until 2075, at the absolute earliest, regardless of it's filing status, per the Copyright Act of 1976.

The screenplay was registered with the US Copyright Office in 1979 by Lewis Jackson, so even if the film had no copyright protection of it's own, it should still be protected as a derivative work of a work under copyright ala It's a Wonderful Life.

Yes, but it is the same situation as many others, where a certain cut and/or retiring is PD, like Creepers/Phenomena. As long as the print says, Christmas Evil, it is PD. If it says You Better Watch Out, it is Jackson's copyright is in effect.

Where the alternate title Terror in Toyland stands, I do not know.

[redrunner97]

While I believe it's Public Domain, I know that Troma has released it.

Maybe VinSyn licensed those materials from their Troma deal and are using those to strike this 4K transfer? Sound very probable.

[John Lyons]

CHRISTMAS EVIL is NOT PD.
I'm not sure where that myth came from, but it's not true.

The film was released in 1980 and thus has automatic protection. We've licensed it from Lewis Jackson.

[sethdlh]

I love this film and I cannot wait for this release.

[Monroville]

Originally Posted by demonknight

Let no one spoil the ending.

[Show spoiler]I laughed so much when I first saw it. The flick is a 85 minute set-up to a five second punchline.

I concur... it's about the only thing good about the movie.

Speaking of SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, I know Fangoria has the rights and has remastered it in HD (they played it in theaters with limited showings last Halloween). Whatever happened to that?

[Markgway]

I'm all for every film getting its due in terms of a good release... but seriously why would anyone bother with a 4K for this tripe?