Santa Claus: The Movie

Dir: Jeannot Szwarc

1985

*****

1985's Santa Claus: The Movie is that magical film from my childhood that Christmas wouldn't be the same without. I have such fond memories of watching this as a child, the fantastical origins of Mr and Mrs Claus, their first journey to the North Pole and the hazy dreamlike discovery of their destiny had me transfixed and full of warm feelings throughout and every year without fail. It was the perfect visualisation of Christmas for me. Then add the brilliant second half where the lovable Elf Patch (played by the lovable Dudley Moore) gets tricked into leaving the North Pole by a particularly dastardly John Lithgow. Cue lots of Elves in the city jokes, stunning shots of Santa's slay across the New York skyline and tradition vs. commercialisation. It explains how Santa's reindeer fly, how he is able to ascend people's chimneys and gives every child the fantasy of riding with Santa on Christmas eve. I loved it. At least until last year that is, when I watched it again and found to my surprise that the tragic truth is that it's quite an awful film and nowhere near as good as I remembered it. It looks cheap, is overcooked and has quite a cringe-worthy script. I always remembered the introduction to be as good as my other favourite film Superman, also made by father and son team Alexander and IIya Salkind. However, I can't forget those warm memories of my youth and it really isn't all that bad, so I find it impossible to give the film anything other than five stars. The child inside me has spoken and I shan't be persuaded otherwise. To be fair, David Huddleston is easily the second best Santa of all time.