After last year’s Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar’s globetrotting venture this year things settle in to spend Christmas at home. There are a good deal of classic British Christmas films, and plenty of festive features which love to pitch a rom-com in London or a castle in the country, but this year the Calendar grabs a mince pie and takes a look at some lesser known or thought of British Christmas films.
After yesterday’s sinister fairy tale today the Calendar turns into something much darker, perhaps one of the darkest ideas a Christmas film can play with: the death of Santa. There are plenty of films which show Christmas in jeopardy with Santa being thrown off course for just a brief amount of time, but what about future years if he’s put permanently out of action? Don’t Open Till Christmas faces just this prospect as a masked killer travels through London, targeting anyone dressed as Santa.
Don’t Open Till Christmas is a true piece of 80s slasher schlock, a pulpy series of attacks and murders with the odd strand of lifeless tinsel thrown over a small table to add some extra colour to the different shades of red on display. The inspiration of Halloween is clear from the start as the opening credits are set next to a burning figure of Santa in front of a snowy background. Yet, despite the fire there’s little warmth to be found amongst the coldness of this particular slasher. Can Christmas be saved? Maybe not for everyone, but the killer must be stopped before more Santa’s get killed in the build-up to the big day, or risk striking again during future seasons.
Unlike aforementioned London-set rom-coms where we see the bright lights of the various tourist attractions, Don’t Open Till Christmas bases itself in the alleyways, peep shows and porn studios of the city – although a far call from An American Werewolf In London. The lack of warmth, and excess of schlock, makes for a strong antithesis to standard Christmas viewing – some may suggest this also goes for quality. There’s cheer to be found within the proceedings, although not entirely festive, especially for fans of this kind of 80s slasher flick. But, as something different, and definitely alternative – even to fellow slasher Black Christmas, or growing seasonal cult horror, and previous Calendar entry, Anna And The Apocalypse.
If you don’t have Don’t Open Till Christmas on DVD, Blu-Ray or VHS, it’s worth checking JustWatch to see where the film is available to buy, rent or stream, especially in whichever country you may be in.
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