My Bloody Valentine-1981

Director George Mihalka

Starring Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, Neil Affleck

Top 20 Horror Films #20

Scott’s Review #367

Reviewed January 9, 2016

Grade: A

My Bloody Valentine (1981) is a perfect slasher film to watch on the romantic holiday of Valentine’s Day or, in fact, any day during the cold and snowy month of February.

The film loses something if watched in summer or at any other time of year, since its dark, harsh feeling is the perfect atmosphere when it’s watched at the right time.

My Bloody Valentine is an underrated gem of the early 1980s- just as Black Christmas was to the 1970s- and both ironically are heralded so by directors such as Quentin Tarantino.

Other, less gritty films received greater exposure and commercial success, but I am proud to name My Bloody Valentine among my Top 20 favorite horror films.

Both are also “holiday-themed” films.

The plot is basic, yet layered, with a unique setting. Rather than a creepy house, a summer camp, or some other tried and true device, we have the ingenious coal mine setting- immediately fraught with great potential.

Think about it- a coal mine is dark, suffocating, creepy, with countless secret passages, the fear of being lost, and running out of oxygen. It is also underground, where help cannot easily be obtained.

The town is aptly named Valentine Bluff (how clever), so Valentine’s Day is a major holiday. The Mayor and police chief figure prominently in the story, and the use of town history makes the film engaging.

Typical for the slasher genre, we have a bunch of horny teens, partying to the max, who decide that the coal mine is the perfect place to throw a Valentine’s Day party, and they do so with gusto.

There are a few middle-aged characters with meaty stuff to do, and the main plot is of the whodunit sort. The killer’s get-up is simply genius.

He (or she) is wearing a completely dark miner’s outfit with an oxygen mask, which emits a heavy breathing sound, adding to the great atmosphere of My Bloody Valentine.

One of my favorite scenes involves the offing of Mabel Osbourne, the earnest, sweet-natured party planner, who is excitedly preparing the annual Valentine’s Day town dance.

She marvels at receiving a box of chocolates with a wonderful poem, only to read it. “Roses are red, violets are blue- two are dead and so are you”! Poor Mabel then has her heart removed, and it is sent (gift-wrapped naturally) to the Mayor and police chief.

The scene is both horrific and comical.

My Bloody Valentine (1981) is a favorite of mine in the genre and carries that genre with its bloodiness, fun storytelling, and wicked charm.