Mog's Christmas

Turning a 24 ish page book into a 25 minute gloriously hand drawn animated piece is no small feat, and it is something that the animators have achieved here with flying colours. The movements and mannerisms of the titular Mog will instantly be relatable to any cat appreciator, and the storytelling and visual style is absolutely on par with Judith Kerr's original works.

The story itself is a simple and heartwarming one, and the accompanying song by Sophie Ellis Bextor is a sweet little festive bop (if slightly twee... but surely we can forgive that for a Christmas film?!)

The human characters might be slightly forgettable... but that's fine as Mog is the focus point, and she has been brought to life so vividly here!

Watch, relax & enjoy😸

Seems that a traditional animated feature per Christmas is now standard for the UK. This year we get this adaptation of Judith Kerr's book. The animation is beyond stellar, with long, panning shots. Mog herself moves and has manneirisms much like a real cat.

On a purely technical level, this short is quite lovely. Story wise, however, it's a bit hard to stomach Mog's clear extremely realistic discomfort at the Christmas chaos. As a cat owner myself, her confusion and fear tug at my heartstrings, and I don't fel the resolution fixes this since the family decides to traumatize her further.

Also, some of the human characters were pretty annoying.

In the vein of the "Snowman" from 1982, this colourful and lively short feature from Channel Four takes a look at just how the "Thomas" family prepare for the big day whilst their cat looks on neglected and bemused. As the extended family all assemble, "Mog" isn't getting his usual amount of attention so he takes refuge outside. When the Christmas tree starts to do it's own scene from the Scottish play that's the last straw! Sanctuary from all of this madness is sought on the roof where some white stuff falls on its nose. "Oh, for my basket and a boiled egg!" - but how to get down. If you like cats then you will probably love this. I don't especially but it does still resonate as a reminder that sometimes we all get so caught up in the paraphernalia of December 25th that maybe we forget to make sure everyone in included in the self-inflicted mayhem as it carries us away in tradition, gifts and old aunties. It's neatly drawn with a few comic moments and there's even a cat sat on the mat style of ditty from Sophie Ellis Bextor, too!

1976's Mog's Christmas gets its 2023 TV debut via channel 4's lovingly produced Christmas Eve treat.

Judith Kerr's much loved Mog gets her 1st proper animated outing that pays homage to Kerr's own illustrations as well as having more than a hint of Sylvain Chomet and Studio Ghibli's fantastic creations.

Here not very clever, but much loved family cat Mog has her nose put out of joint by all the fuss and bustle of Christmas and the strange relations cluttering up HER house. In response Mog climbs onto the roof and , much to her family's distress, refuses to come down. Framed by David Arnold's beautiful score and featuring the centrepiece song As Long As I Belong, this is 30 minutes of joy.

I find Mog's Christmas (2023) is another very good hand-drawn animated movie adaptation of the late Judith Kerr's book, since The Tiger Who Came To Tea (2019). Because the animation is wonderful, the music is splendid, the voice acting is superb and the story is very heartwarming and it captures the Christmas spirit as well. The characters are interesting like Mog The Cat, who is very forgetful. Her owners are The couple called Mr. And Mrs. Thomas, with their two children called Debbie and Nicky. Their uncle with a cheerful personality called The Jolly Uncle. And their two aunts, who walked on tip-toes. It's also very faithful to the late Judith Kerr's picture book since The Tiger Who Came To Tea (2019). Mog's Christmas (2023) is a very good story for children of all generations, from 1976 to the present day. I'm giving this a 10/10 and Merry Christmas.