We follow a serial killer and his victims as they all prepare for Christmas in their own ways. This year it doesn’t matter if you have been naughty or nice, Santa is coming to town no matter what, and he knows where you live.
For thoughts on Christmas Cruelty!, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Christmas Cruelty! comes to Blu-Ray via Unearthed Films with a 1080p master in the original aspect ratio which is not listed as being from a new restoration, but it holds up well enough considering its low budget origins. While not perfect by any means, the film largely looks pretty great in comparison to what it should look like. The more brightly lit scenes hold up the best when it comes to evoking a pleasing amount of grotesque detail. Compression artifacts in the darker moments are not a consistent issue, and there is some amount of detail in the shadows which helps this one out. There is not really anything in the way of wear and tear. This aesthetic of the film does not lend itself to be the most colorful experience, but this transfer captures the relatively ruddy and cold look of the film. Unearthed Films has treated this one as well as could be expected for fans.
Audio Quality
This Blu-Ray presents the film with a pretty solid DTS-HD 5.1 Master audio track in the original Norwegian with optional English subtitles. The film has a surprising amount of focus on music which comes through with admirable fidelity. Dialogue comes through without much of an issue, but there is a sense that the original capture was not always a seamless experience. Environmental effects give this world a bit of texture, especially when out in public spaces such as a bar or a hardware store. The film never goes overboard with low end impact, but a few moments have more weight. This track has not been hit too hard by time as every sound is pretty stable without many age anomalies. Unearthed Films has done a fine job of presenting this film in the most stable quality possible.
Special Features
- Audio Commentary: Co-Writer/Director Per-Ingvar Tomren and Director of Photography Raymond Volle provide a really lively and informative commentary track in which they discuss the production history of the film, the concern from neighbors during shooting, how certain scenes evolved or were cut down, elements that were too extreme for them to film, sequences that were abandoned, the multitude of references to other movies throughout, and much more.
- Watch-A-Long with Flesh Wound Horror: Another commentary track by a different name is provided here in which the creative team watches the movie with the team at Flesh Wound Horror and gives some interesting tidbits (with some repeat information) within a more chaotic environment since more people are gathered together.
- How Cruelty Changed Our Lives: A truly staggering selection of interviews are provided here which follows up with pretty much every member of the production you can think of along with fans of this deranged flick in which they reflect on what this film means to them, how it changed their lives, how it improved them as creative figures and so much more. This serves as one of the more thorough supplements I have found on a release in quite some time.
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- Part One (2:49:56)
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- Part Two (19:02)
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- Part Three (9:03)
- “Endless Highway” Music Video by The Last Rebels: A five-minute video is provided here which is basically the opening credits without the text.
- Interview with Morten Haagensen: A seven-minute interview with the film festival manager in which he reflects on his experience discovering the movie and helping with getting it in front of an audience.
- Press Conference: A 23-minute press conference is provided from 2013 in which the cast and creative team gather to discuss the film with the press corp at the festival.
- Bloopers: A nine-minute collection of amusing moments from the set, ruined takes, laughing fits, flubbed lines and more.
- Tradisjon Short Film: A seven-minute short film is provided here in which the pressures of the holiday season are explored in horrific fashion once again.
- Teaser Trailer: A 39-second teaser trailer is provided here.
- Photo Gallery: A collection of stills from the production and material used to market the film are shown here.
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cruelty! is not lying when it comes to its title, as this journey is replete with stomach-churning moments unlikely to buoy your festive spirit. This is more akin to an endurance test as some young, aspiring filmmakers throw a bunch of stuff at the screen just to see what they are capable of and what the audience can handle. The attempt to get the audience invested in the victims before things devolve in the finale is welcome, but nothing really swayed this particular reviewer to be invested in their ultimate fate. Nevertheless, you have to appreciate the utter fearlessness this team brings to the screen in executing their grotesque vision. It will not be for all (or most) tastes, but those who delight in moral bankruptcy should have a blast. Unearthed Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a good A/V presentation and a ton of great special features. Fans of the film are in for a treat.
Christmas Cruelty! is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Unearthed Films has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.