“Santa
Claus The Movie is an enjoyably
funny and magical story about the
origins of Father Christmas, straying
a little to the dark side as a scheming toy
maker tries to corrupt a naïve elf and
hijack Christmas...” WITH SUCH GREAT COMEDIANS as the late Dudley Moore and the wickedly
funny John Lithgow, Santa Claus The Movie travels well to the 21st Century
from 1985 as a charming fantasy adventure story with Dickensian overtones and
a bucket-load of memorable wit.
Centuries ago the kindly Klaus (David Huddleston), helped by his wife Anya (Judy
Cornwell: Television's Eastenders; Keeping Up Appearances), would cut
wood for the villagers' fires and make presents for the children, delivering
them in a sleigh pulled by their two faithful reindeer, Donner and Blitzen.
One night Klaus and Anya set out to deliver presents to children on the other
side of the forest and they lose their way in a terrible blizzard, potentially
spelling disaster for the couple and their reindeer. But all is not lost and,
as Klaus and Anya begin to lose consciousness, they are surrounded by a bright
light and a number of elves, who seem to have been expecting them for a long
time.
The elves, including Patch (Dudley Moore: Bedazzled; Arthur) and Dooley
(John Barrard) take them to a magical kingdom where an ancient and respected
elf (Burgess Meredith: Rocky; The Return Of Captain Nemo; Batman) declares
that the prophecy has come to pass — an artist, a craftsman and a maker
of toys has arrived to become Santa Claus.
Klaus and Anya are to be given immortality and on every Christmas Eve Santa
Claus will deliver presents to children all over the world on a special flying
sleigh led by a team of reindeer: Donner, Blitzen, Comic, Cupid, Prancer, Dancer,
Dasher and Vixen.
The Centuries pass and by the time they reach the 20th Century Santa is getting
tired and Anya suggests he should have an assistant. The contenders are Patch,
who is full of innovative ideas and inventions and Puffy (Anthony O'Donnell),
who favours more traditional methods. Although Patch wins, his work causes problems
for Santa and Puffy takes over, causing a resentful Patch to leave the kingdom.
In New York a little girl, Cornelia (Carrie Kei Heim) watches Joe (Christian
Fitzpatrick), a homeless boy, out in the snow and takes pity on him. She leave
him food and drink, little realising that they will both be part of a much bigger
story.
“Santa
Claus The Movie
is fairy good so treat
your elf and watch it
at gnome while you’re
goblin popcorn...”
Meanwhile,
Patch has thrown his lot in with villainous second-rate toy manufacturer BZ
(John Lithgow: Third Rock From The Sun; Shrek), who takes the opportunity
to exploit the elf as he seeks to hijack Christmas.
Will Patch remain with BZ or will he return to Santa and the kingdom? Could
this be the end of Christmas or will its spirit prevail? Or will a disillusioned
Santa Claus lose out to the master criminal? As BZ resorts to dastardly deeds
that include kidnapping, Patch and Joe are in danger. So who will rescue them?
There are some stunning shots over the 1980s New York skyline and a now emotive
World Trade Center. If you have ever wondered where Santa Claus came from, how
he can deliver all the toys in one night and why he wears a red outfit; if you
have children or have never lost touch with the child within, this highly-amusing
film is for you. There are touches of Willy Wonka here and there and it is delightful
to see the lovely Melvyn Hayes as Goober.
Elf jokes abound as Patch talks of "elf-confidence" and "elf-control" and produces
an elf-propelled carriage called the Patchmobile.
As a tribute to Dudley Moore, we came up with: "Santa Claus The Movie
is fairy good so treat your elf and watch it at gnome while you're goblin popcorn."
Made at Pinewood Studios, Santa Claus The Movie also features: Jeffrey
Kramer as Towzer, BZ's assistant; Don Estelle as Groot; Tim Stern as Boog; Peter
O'Farrell as Honka; Christopher Ryan as Vout; Aimée Delamain as Storyteller;
Dorothea Phillips as Miss Tucker; John Hallam as Grizzard; and Judith Morse
as Miss Abruzzi. Flying and Second Unit Director is David Lane; Photographed
by Arthur Ibbetson; Director of Visual Miniature Effects is Derek Meddings;
Written by David Newman and Leslie Newman; Screenplay by David Newman; Original
Music by Henry Mancini; Choregrapher is Pat Garrett; Produced by Ilya Salkind;
and Directed by Jeannot Szwarc. Every Christmas Eve is sung by Aled Jones
and Christmas All Over The World is performed by Sheena Easton.
• Santa Claus The Movie is released
on DVD, Blu-ray and DVD/Blu-ray combined on 2 November (2009). Certificate U
| Year: 1985 | Feature Running Time 104 minutes approx | Cat No OPTD1664 | RRP:
£17.99.
Extras
Making of The Movie | Trailers 1 & 2 | Shooting Press Conference Scene | Deleted
Scenes.
"Santa Claus The Movie… a charming fantasy adventure story with Dickensian
overtones and a bucket-load of memorable wit" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
“Santa
Claus The Movie is an enjoyably