Interesteg What makes it different from others?

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Sam Panico These are the kind of movies I hated as a kid - message films that told me how to feel, act and behave. This is why Godzilla and King Kong are my idea of holiday films - beasts condemned by the world who only want to destroy the works of man! Feliz navidad!

Marc Dalesandro "Santa Claus, The Movie" is a film that my family and I watch every year at Christmas. As time goes on, I am sure it will be recognized as one of the all-time classic yuletide movies. As a Child of the 80's, this movie holds a special place in my heart, and only the presence of the superb "One Magic Christmas" (both from 1985) prevents me from giving "Santa Claus" a 10/10.The late Dudley Moore plays the elf Patch in "Santa Claus", a sort of brilliant renegade inventor trying to become Kris Kringle's apprentice. John Lithgow overacts (wonderfully) as B.Z., the evil toy company owner who is out to use Patch's naivete (and magic powers) to take over Christmas and put Santa - who he considers competition - out of business.The most magical scenes in the movie, however, take place at the beginning, as a mortal Claus discovers he is the Chosen One, meets the elves, and discovers what his role is going to be down through the centuries. The first flight of his sled is amazing, and the lack of fancy CGI animation is strangely welcome.This movie has been ignored, basically because it belongs to a generation who has not yet come into its own culturally. The dominant movies are still "It's A Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Story". But, as people who grew up with those classics age, a new crop of movies will be fondly ed. When that time comes, I am certain "Santa Claus, the Movie" and "One Magic Christmas" will be recognized as two of the best seasonal movies of all time.

HelenMary This Santa Claus film is one of the best, in of heartwarming Christmas films. It's quite twee and hasn't aged well but it's still lovely and enjoyable. The Santa Claus is from the North Pole (of course) and is traditional (post Coca-Cola) and a craftsman who makes presents for children before he "becomes" Santa. It's got some lovely magical scenes, and beautiful reindeer (animatronic so dated now but still cute and entertaining for children) and the elves - lead by Dudley Moore - are sweet and funny. There are some great music and soundtrack and the sets are quite beautiful. I'm sure it was quite big budget at the time! The bad guy, played by John Lithgow, who is trying to take over Christmas, was hilarious, comic-book malevolent and had one of his most iconic roles with some great one-liners. The two child actors were a little hammy in places, particularly the girl, but all in all they are sweet and accomplished and it is the moral and heart of the film that is so prominent and distracts from any flaws; both of the children are orphans of sorts and need a home and someone to love them, she's from a rich family and he is from the streets. It's heartwarming and suitable for all family and nicely old fashioned enough to not be bogged down with so much SFX and flippancy that all heart is lost. Dudley Moore is fun and enjoyable, and Mrs Claus simply radiant and charming along with Santa - who is so believable and one of the best, jolly and kindly Santa ever put on screen. Fun for all the family.

Matt Kramer This is a big-budget Christmas movie that has both considerable charm and glaring weaknesses, but hopefully this review can help potential viewers understand the film (and its oddities) a little better. The main thing to understand is that the film is basically two movies in one. There is almost literally a split in the middle of the movie, effectively separating the first half from the second half.The first half of the film is a quaint, heartwarming depiction of the origins of Santa Claus and his wife Anya- how they came to the North Pole, fulfilling an ancient prophecy from the elves, and various origins of famous Christmas associations (such as the boy who prompted Santa to start the "Naughty and Nice" list).The second half of the film all but ignores Santa and heartwarming feelings and becomes a zany slapstick comedy involving one of the elves (Dudley Moore) and his dealings with a dastardly businessman (John Lithgow) who schemes to take over Christmas.The curious aspect of a feature film with two distinct parts to it might be slightly jarring to the viewer, especially since both halves of the movie differ so much in tone. If you think of it, however, as like watching two different episodes of a television show, it might help to ease the feeling of unevenness.In short, this is a movie where the ingredients are more entertaining than the actual plot. David Huddleston and Judy Cornwell are very nice as the traditional Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and the North Pole toy shop is how you always imagined Santa's workshop to be. Wonderful John Lithgow is completely hilarious as the comically villainous B.Z., and he pretty much steals the show in the second half of the film. But many questions about Santa Claus are neatly answered in this movie (such as how the reindeer fly and how Santa is able to fly around the whole world in just one night).It's a Christmas movie that both works and doesn't work, but there are many ingredients- the cozy Christmas feel of the first part and the zany comedy of the second- that make for satisfying holiday viewing, and might enhance a Christmas movie collection, as long as you just sit back and let the ingredients of the film carry you through.