Father Christmas 1991 Review

 

Another Raymond Briggs work, this time addressing Santa Claus from a British context, mostly from the name. This was something I watched, but didn’t maintain my interest, probably due to being a somewhat jaded teenager (not even realizing it was linked to The Snowman). But the premise is interesting with jolly old Saint Nick travelling around the world to get a vacation.

 

Santa returns from another Christmas night, getting his reindeer into their barn, the sleigh stowed away and his cat and dog fed. While warming himself by the fire, he speaks to the audience, aware that they’re probably confused as to what he does the rest of the year. Santa explains how there’s still tending to the reindeer, housework, shopping, all the normal stuff, not just sitting around.

 

We flashback to last year, Santa gets travel pamphlets together, deciding to travel to France (considering other locations like Canada or Holland), changing up the humdrum everyday life he has apart from Christmas

 

The next step is turning his sleigh into an RV, much more fitting for camping (to not get blown away by a storm). He takes his cat and dog to a kennel (because why take your pet with you?) and sets off, his reindeer pulling the RV (so it’s just for show?) narrowly avoiding a jet plane

 

Some camping happens, but then Santa goes into town (mocked by the locals while he shops for clothes), then eating at a fancy restaurant (with culture shock at no chips with his fish), also getting drunk and smoking cigars. He gets the bill, 1200 francs, but is more bothered by gastrointestinal distress (including a disturbing fever dream cut from the American version), moving to a proper camping ground, still rushing to the loo due to the runs.

 

Wanting a change of scenery (his reindeer drawing the campers’ attention), Santa then goes to Scotland (their pure water how whiskey is made?). He drinks at a pub, buys a kilt and then sleeps the night away, waking up with a hangover (because he was blitzed!).

 

But since it’s not raining, he tries to swim in the lake, quite frigid, and runs away from what looks like a shark (in Scotland?).

 

Changing locations again (very short lived stint in west UK), this time he heads to Las Vegas, getting himself a nice hotel (where does he get his money?), having a swim in the pool and dining quite well with a steak, fries and some grand desserts.

 

He stays for about a month (at least according to the newspapers), but is eventually suspected of being Santa Claus and leaves (having gambled, danced with cabaret girls and other Vegas entertainment)

 

Back home, Father Christmas retrieves the cat and dog and finally begins reading all the children’s letters, amused at the various names he’s called (Pere Noel, Santa Claus, etc) and also noting the various gift requests, including a pony (monkey in the American dub?). He also gets his suit out of the dry cleaners, the attendant thinking it’s for a fancy party

 

Christmas Eve soon arrives and Santa heads out (revealing he has false teeth), getting everything ready at home before he leaves. We get a song as he delivers gifts worldwide, focusing on a few instances, including one where he stumbles into a costume party (after sliding through a very odd chimney)

 

Afterwards, he finds a few places without chimneys (breaking into a trailer with a can opener) and then hangs out at the snowmen party

 

But with a slight retcon, it seems Santa forgot a present (the boy’s gift not addressed?), going to Buckingham Palace to do so (so Prince Harry and William?). He delivers it, running into the milk man (way dated reference), some of the corgis getting pushed away by the reindeer (pretty funny)

 

Santa then finishes up, setting up for Christmas lunch and taking a bath with a towel stolen from Nero’s Palace in Vegas.

 

He goes to bed, briefly commenting on some gifts he got from family (or elves in the American dub), including scotch, dubbed as cologne for American audiences, and wishing the audience a “merry blooming Christmas”. The credits roll, kids singing about how Father Christmas never sees the holiday morning, working so hard the night before

 

 

There are at least 3 cuts: the full UK version (hard to find on DVD, which has, instead the American version), one that’s probably for TV, cutting out some alcohol references or a scene where Father Christmas is on the toilet and the American cut that removes more stuff, particularly with the old man’s builder’s crack and the alcohol references. And most of the uses of “blooming” are cut, the American dub reduced to 4.

 

The British version of the character is much cruder, getting drunk and even making a few adult comments (insinuating something sexual about a woman on a French instructional tape using her tongue, cleaner in the American dub). He’s also fairly grumpy, like a cantankerous old man who’s good-natured, but a bit rough around the edges. This contrasts strongly with the American cut, a stereotype of Santa Claus as jolly, getting sad at leaving his animals behind more and more kid-friendly

 

There really aren’t other characters to speak of with any depth, just accessories in the plot to show our lead’s travels

 

Is it anything to write home about? Well, my memory was fairly different, since I think I watched the sanitized American version.  Not exactly something that will resonate entirely with kids, but nonetheless is amusing in the clever depiction of Santa as someone who just wants a break from his routine and responsibilities, getting back to them promptly when needed. More important in giving a British spin that is less common for American viewers, solid Christmas classic

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus 1985 Review

 

The first adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel, this ran a half hour shorter to fit a TV time slot (even though I also recall seeing the 2000 version on TV). But it has Rankin Bass’ well-known animation style, like the nostalgic Christmas specials. Will that cover for potential flubs in the narrative, though?

 

We start with Santa Claus flying through the air, a narrator noting that happy children enrich the world, shifting to Burzee in the past.

 

Tingler, a Sound Imp (supposedly original), announces the Immortals’ arrival to Ak

 

Queen Zurline and Ak discuss how they must convince the council before Santa expires (basically spoiling the end?). We see the various Immortals (including the Master of the Sound Imps) arrive, Tingler announcing their entrance, a chorus singing about immortality in the background

 

Ak explains that the Spirit of Death will soon visit Santa Claus, wanting his good deeds to continue by granting him the Mantle of Immortality.

 

We then hear Ak tell of Santa Claus’ life, first discovering the human baby (not shown in the 2000 version), tasking lioness Sheigra to nurse and nurture it

 

Necile is fascinated by the child, Immortals unfamiliar with such things, watching it from a distance. She sings about wanting to raise the baby, basically stealing it when Sheigra’s distracted

 

Understandably, the lioness is angry and Peter Knook (a Knook leader?) can’t pacify her. Necile begs mercy from Ak, the highest authority in the forest who saved the infant first

 

The Woodsman agrees, allowing Necile to raise the child, Sheigra to protect them

 

We see the child grow up, interacting with dangerous animals casually, like a cheetah and elephant (along with another song!). Claus (not called Nicholas yet?) learns various languages from Tingler (that joke of changing languages mid-speech quickly growing old)

 

Claus briefly discusses his growing up to Necile, who says she is his “mother”, having raised him, which he accepts (calling her mother).

 

Claus leaves with Ak to view the human world (no sash, just hanging onto him), invisible by magic. We see a squire being cruel to the serfs not meeting a turnip quota, even the lord of the land exceedingly callous, claiming the servants should be grateful for what they have (literacy “overrated”?).

 

As Claus hears about humanity’s inevitable mortality, Ak takes him to Japan, where children are training to be samurai, Claus thinking the education is too harsh for the innocents

 

The next location is in the Middle East, Claus seeing orphans begging, no one providing for them like Ak does for Claus

 

And finally, Claus sees two knights fighting, to prepare for war, where people are likely to die for some cause, good or bad.

 

Ak advises Claus that, since he is mortal, he should strive to make the world a better place than he found it, following his “star” (his destiny?)

 

Claus leaves, bidding the forest farewell, but promising to return, Tingler and Sheigra accompanying him.

 

The group arrives at the Laughing Valley of Hohaho, perpetually winter. They set up camp and then, abruptly, Santa gets the house (no fanfare) and grows up, interacting with kids in a montage.

 

Blinkie is also introduced bluntly, the cat butting heads with Sheigra a bit (jealous?). An orphan child, Weekum, stumbles into their area, recovering from the bitter cold. He inspires Claus to make a carving of Blinkie as a toy, since he wanted a cat like him

 

The kids all want one as well (singing about it), Santa inspired to keep going and assisted by the Ryls, Knooks and Wood Nymphs.

 

But the Awgwa king throws a rock through the window, threatening Claus’s life if he makes more toys. Tingler explains that Awgwas influence children to be bad (because they’re too innocent otherwise?) and can make themselves invisible (and intangible!)

 

That night, the Awgwas invade Claus’ house and take him to a cave, where a snake and spider threaten him. But he gets Knook assistance, the Awgwas stealing the toys instead (unable to be stopped 12 times!)

 

Claus tries again, Sheigra saving him from the Awgwas’ attack.

 

Ak, tired of the conflict, challenges the king, his protection only extending to the forest, not the Laughing Valley, the Awgwas not intimidated by Ak’s immortal status.

 

War begins, Claus held back by Peter Knook. Ak wields a silver axe, which destroys one of the monsters (with a kid-friendly laser), while a dragon’s fire is turned on him, a giant is shrunk and an ogre is turned into a flower, ending the conflict.

 

Peter Knook gives Claus reindeer to deliver the toys, since the Awgwas are eliminated, only asking they return by daybreak

 

Claus has to enter by chimney, giving the children extra gifts in socks left drying by the chimney, the parents thinking him a saint (no need to be invited), which leads to the kids deciding on the Santa prefix

 

Peter Knook is angry about Claus being late, but agrees to permit the reindeer once a year to help the children

 

With time fading fast, Santa decides to retrieve the toys the Awgwas stole, Peter Knook arriving somehow with the goods (no explanation!)

 

In the present, Ak explains how Santa has been delivering the toys for 50 years, bringing joy to many children

 

The mantle, only a single one in existence (how did the other immortals gain immortality?) is given to Claus by unanimous vote. Necile briefly greets Claus as he sleeps, welcoming him into the immortals as the film concludes with Santa promising to continue his great work

 

 

 

Claus is our lead, his development abrupt and dependent on others pushing him forward, unfortunately. Also, his being called special, yet praised for hard work feels contradictory even with the generosity shown and courage underpinning it. If he was normal and put in effort with major risk, it wouldn’t feel like he was handed success on a silver platter

 

Sheigra remains a presence throughout, contrasting strongly with the 2000 film where she has 2 major moments and then expires, seemingly immortal here

 

Our antagonists remain shallow, only unique in the designs contrasting to the modern adaptation’s stone monsters. And there’s seemingly just one named, like a collective, so somewhat less depth even

 

Necile is fleshed out more, understanding the transient nature of her being a mother to Claus, but nonetheless cares for him deeply, remaining passive mostly.

 

Tingler serves the function Wisk did in the 2000 film, the quirk of shifting languages just that and barely serving an educational purpose (how one says toy 3 ways, for instance)

 

There are some new characters, like the Commander of the Winds and Queen Zurline, playing off Ak; skeptical about his ideas or offering a different perspective (like Zurline mentoring Necile). Ak himself is a wise sage, but only acts when necessary and makes decisions as a leader must

 

Musical numbers seem to come out of nowhere, almost more to pad out the runtime versus adding substance for the narrative

 

All in all, with the limitations given, it’s serviceable, though the conflict is resolved rapidly and the framing device is a bit disorienting. We still have the moral, just muddled in places. Fun trivia, it was produced in part by Pacific Animation Studios, that also worked on Thundercats and was later bought by Disney

The Small One Review

 

The second work directed by Don Bluth after Banjo the Woodpile Cat, The Small One tells the tale of an underdog donkey and his owner, a boy that won’t give him up to just anyone. But what lesson will we learn in the relatively short runtime of this story?

 

After the intro squeezing all the credits in (Richard Rich assistant director here, Gary Goldman also involved), we meet our lead, simply called Small One, an aged donkey who’s more of a nuisance, though he and the boy that takes care of the livestock play briefly before heading out with the others

 

Gathering sticks with the boy’s father doesn’t go too well, the donkey needing help because he’s small and weak.  The father plans to sell Small One at the market tomorrow, not wanting him to suffer needlessly and doing so little work as a beast of burden

 

The boy asks to sell him, the father agreeing as we get a nice song about how the boy hopes Small One will get a special owner who cares about him

 

At the city, the boy is directed to the tanner, not realizing it until he’s told that Small One’s hide is all the man wants (dark, yet realistic and not exactly traumatizing, since the reality is more graphic in nature than just tanned hides, implying death, not showing corpses).

 

The pair flees, going through the market trying to sell Small One (without killing him). There’s another song featuring merchants (who steal from each other?), the boy directed to an auctioneer nearby

 

After trying to get sold, the auctioneer laughs at them, even trying to ride on Small One, but getting bucked off for his troubles (good riddance).

 

The two continue through the town, but the boy despairs at not being able to sell Small One

 

Suddenly, a man asks if Small One can be sold to him, needing a gentle donkey to take his expectant wife to Bethlehem.

 

The pair tearfully bids farewell as the featurette concludes with us seeing where the donkey goes, clearly insinuating that Small One took Mary and Joseph to the census in Bethlehem, his true purpose all along.

 

 

The characters are fairly flat for the most part, only our leads getting a sense of fleshing out, especially Small One, for not having any dialogue. And his owner, the boy, does show understanding of his flaws and, while resistant to selling him, just wants him to have a good home and someone who takes care of him in his golden years

 

As for the religious undertone, it’s pretty subtle and doesn’t bash you over the head with it, so it’s a really good and accessible holiday film, even if you don’t celebrate Christmas, since the message is more about kindness to even the smallest and least fortunate.

 

The essence of the story is how this relationship keeps the spirits of our leads up in spite of the difficulties they face, very relatable in terms of people with their own pets going through tough times of some form or another

 

Nothing groundbreaking, but sometimes a simple story can have great impact in terms of the message it conveys and sticks with people through their lives. I’d recommend it and you can find it on Disney +

The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus 2000 Review

 

Improving on Rankin Bass’ 1985 TV adaptation, I saw this once as a teen, pleasantly surprised as an adult to learn L. Frank Baum of Wizard of Oz wrote the novel. Plus, there are some well-known voice actors involved like Maurice Lamarche and Jim Cummings, so this story about Santa being tied to fairy creatures couldn’t be that bad, right?

 

In a simpler time where humans are unaware of forest creatures like the Ryls, caretakers of plants and the Knooks, providing for animals, as well as Fairies and Wood Nymphs in Burzee (the inner forest?)

 

Necile, a Wood Nymph, prepares the season’s first nectar, which predicts a very eventful year. Later that night, Ak ruminates on humanity’s terrible state, including a special baby left at the forest’s edge (the fairies inadvertently insinuating they found dead babies before).

 

A lioness, Sheigra, agrees to nurse the child (nothing weird there), given protection by Ak, who believes it will help humans in the future (Burzee’s hands tied)

Necile, breaking several fairy laws, gets the child from Sheigra, who’s tired of the child’s crying, but Ak is oddly permissive

 

Other wood nymphs (which have wings?) bring milk blossoms for the baby, forgotten when Wisk, a pixie, crashes into the house from a catapult at Awgwa Mountain.  He briefly shapeshifts into the rock monsters, scaring the nymphs, agreeing to live there, both to avoid the Awgwas and interested in the infant

 

The child, named Nicholas (Claus meaning “little one” in fairy, leading to an initial name of “Necileoclaus”), grows up, Necile singing about his special experiences

 

More time passes, Necile telling an uncertain Nicholas that he’s fortunate to see the magical world but also able to choose his fate, unlike the immortals

 

Ak takes Nicholas to visit the human world, giving him a sash of invisibility and flight. He’s warned that losing it means Nicholas will be trapped in the human world forever (never addressed)

 

We see even human children toil, a blacksmith dismissing one boy with a cane and blaming children for mischief the Awgwas caused

 

Even a nobleman isolates his daughter from the poor children because of prejudice

 

Ak emphasizes humanity’s unfair lot in life, a vicious cycle making unhappy children and adults, Nicholas wanting to change things somehow, given the sash by Ak to keep

 

Nicholas grows up and moves halfway between the Forest of Burzee and the human world, the Valley of Hohaho, a house built by the Knooks and others in a night (complete with song!) after he and Wisk gather materials

 

A tuxedo cat, Blinkie, is inside, a gift from Necile, Wisk afraid he’ll be eaten

 

Nicholas heads out to the human world (special privileges from the sash!), befriending a family: Andrew and Martha, along with their children, an unnamed baby he comforts and Megan, a nonverbal girl who talks briefly after Nicholas leaves, having showed her kindness (never seen again)

 

The disabled boy from before, Ethan, promises to bring Nicholas a leaning stick, encouraged to carry the sack (not so “crippled” now?), but collapses in a snowstorm near the cottage, taken in before he freezes (to the Awgwa’s anger)

 

Nicholas conceives of toys after giving Ethan a painted wooden “Blinkie” he carved, making more for other children and regaling them with stories about fairies (like Necile)

 

He continued this tradition, diversifying beyond cats and becoming famous, drawing the ire of Awgwa King Mogorb, who tasks General Thog to stop him

 

Sheigra visits Nicholas (saying he’s grown to be handsome, bestiality vibes), who carves her likeness, the aging lioness passing away soon after

 

Two kids, Mayrie and Tycus ask Nicholas for toys, frightened of the lioness carving, helping Nicholas learn more about what to make

 

An older child, Natalie, asks for a toy, Nicholas promising her one, just out of stock. But he asks Necile later if rich children deserve toys, his mother arguing even those with privilege can lack something a toy provides. And that rings true, Natalie regarding the clay likeness of Necile that Nicholas creates as a friend (the lonely rich girl we saw earlier)

 

The Awgwas teleport Nicholas into a dangerous jungle, who’s narrowly saved from wild animals by a Knook, who seemingly teleports him back home (so no threat?)

 

But the workload increase and old age hinders Nicholas (now voiced by Jim Cummings), the house expanding to accommodate toy production. Wisk inspires Nicholas to use reindeer to help deliver toys, forced to go down the chimney and word spreading about him being a saint (so these are miracles?), though the Knook Will takes back the reindeer when Nicholas returns after daybreak (risking exposure!)
 

The Awgwas attack Nicholas on foot, taking the stolen toys to their caves

 

Natalie gives up her Necile doll to the unfortunate children after learning about Nicholas being accosted

 

Ak suggests Nicholas deliver toys once a year and at night, Will agreeing to give 8 reindeer (4x original!)

 

Necile goes to retrieve the stolen gifts, Ak going to war against the Awgwas. The forest’s forces decimate the Awgwas’ scarier group, tricking the rock monsters into rolling off a cliff and transforming a dragon and giants into harmless things like butterflies and flowers. Magorb and Thog are morphed into bugs after Wisk knocks them off a cliff in Awgwa form

 

Ak tells Nicholas of the Awgwa’s defeat, Christmas Eve soon arriving as Nicholas is shocked to learn from Will the reindeer can fly and Necile brings the presents

 

Nicholas, finally using Ak’s magical sash, starts his annual gift-giving journey (with a song!), magically going down the chimney (no more risk of death!), Wisk helping him break in occasionally (for the children!)

 

The visits continue every year, but Nicholas’s life is nearing its end, Wisk realizing the human’s mortality as the Angel of Death floats toward the house.

 

Ak beseeches the council of immortals to grant eternal life to Nicholas, having done such good for downtrodden humanity, which they agree to, just before the reaper takes Nicholas, the film ending as he continues into the future.

 

 

 

Nicholas is an innocent, almost naïve, and kind lead, adapting to situations with his friend’s help, his progress not feeling earned. He gets a house for free, among other benefits and his immortality is granted because immortals provided for him (his good deeds relevant)

 

Necile facilitates Nicholas’ acceptance into Burzee and encourages her “son”, mostly in the background

 

Wisk is more comic relief, sometimes inspiring Nicholas with ideas (toys, reindeer, etc), his transformation gimmick rarely advancing the plot

 

And Blinkie, seemingly an immortal cat, inspires the first toy, otherwise a mascot

 

Ak, the wise sage ruler, bends the rules for Nicholas several times, but also seeks order, since he desires to help humanity. But he has to find a loophole with immortal laws preventing direct contact and destroys the Awgwas for Nicholas’ sake

 

The antagonists are fairly ineffectual, only the king Margob even slightly intimidating, but otherwise, they struggle in vain to stop Nicholas, easily defeated by Ak’s forces

 

We have a creative story, only hurt by a protagonist never struggling without external assistance, but the message remains important, being kind to those less fortunate and making the world a better place. Highly recommended for the novelty and timeless ideals, in spite of head-scratching oddities and plot problems that pepper throughout