• Rating:
• Genre: Crime
• Movie Type: Psychological Thriller
• Themes: Evil Children, Crime Sprees
• Director: Edward Hunt
• Main Cast: Susan Strasberg, José Ferrer, Lori Lethin, Melinda Cordell, Julie Brown
• Release Year: 1981
• Country: US
• Run Time: 92 minutes

Plot

Sort of a triple-threat Bad Seed with a more overtly violent streak, this film tells the tale of trio of cherubic youngsters whose births all coincided with a solar eclipse, which somehow initiated a kind of time-release evil reaction that reaches its climax on the kids' tenth birthday, causing them to transform into miniature homicidal psychopaths. These darling little tykes then proceed to beat dad's brains out with a baseball bat, gun down their teacher, and otherwise beat, stab and strangle anyone who even looks cross-eyed at them. They also seem to be strangely fond of leering at naked teenage girls... or maybe that's just the director's favorite pastime. Produced in 1980, this proto-slasher opus was shelved for six years, then released to video to capitalize on the already-waning trend of Friday the 13th sequels and their hellish offspring. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Review

Kid killers roam loose in Bloody Birthday, a "slasher in jammies" that makes The Omen, The Bad Seed, and virtually any of other evil-kid movie seem like a puppy dog in comparison. A product of the early-'80s line of low-budget slashers, it's not surprising that this horror gem sat on the shelf for three years until 1986. Who in their right mind would have the guts to release a flick with kitchen-knife wielding brats that also blow people away with huge handguns? It wouldn't be as good without this cast either, with extra gonzo points going to each kid as they take maniacal glee in plowing down everyone in their way (including their parents). A spit in the face to the family values crowd, Bloody Birthday is a bloody-fun time that's great for all of the wrong reasons. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Susan Strasberg - Miss Viola Davis
• José Ferrer - Doctor
• Lori Lethin - Joyce Russel
• Melinda Cordell - Mrs. Brody
• Julie Brown - Beverly Brody

Joe Penny - Mr. Harding; Andy Freeman - Steven Seaton; Elizabeth Hoy - Debbie Brody; Bert Kramer; K.C. Martel - Timmy Russel; Ben Marley - Duke; Erica Hope - Annie; Cyril O'Reilly - Paul; Shane Butterworth; Michael Dudikoff - Willard; Daniel Currie; Norman Rice; Georgie Paul; Ellen Geer; Ward Costello; Ruth Silveira; William Boyett; John Avery - Guy in Van; Nathan Robert; Sylvia Wright - Girl in Van; Billy Jayne - Curtis

Credit

Lynda Burbank - Art Director; J. Rae Fox - Production Designer; Roger George - Special Effects; John O. Jones - Songwriter; Michelle Logan - Costume Designer; Michelle Logan - Makeup; Ann Mills - Editor; Arlon Ober - Composer (Music Score); Gerald T. Olson - Producer; Barry Pearson - Screenwriter; Stephen L. Posey - Cinematographer; Julie Purcell - Makeup; Max Rosenberg - Executive Producer; Anthony Santa Croce - Sound/Sound Designer; Wade Mayer - First Assistant Director; Wayne Artman - Sound/Sound Designer; Tom Beckert - Sound/Sound Designer; Edward Hunt - Director; Edward Hunt - Screenwriter

Similar Movies

The Bad Seed; Children of the Corn; Children of the Damned; It's Alive!; Mikey; Spider Baby; Village of the Damned; Twisted; The Good Son; These Are the Damned; Beware! Children At Play; Little Corey Gorey; Cathy's Curse; Amor Brujo [TV Miniseries]

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