User reviews

I have seen this movie every Christmas since I was a child, and I believe it brings explanations of how the fable of Santa Claus, and all of the childhood beliefs came to be. It may be a watered down version of Willy Wonka, but it had great effects for the 1980's, and it brings out the child and Christmas spirit in everyone. It is a grade above Ernest Saves Christmas ( I love watching it as well on a comical basis) especially when it comes to the story line and characters. Dudley Moore was wonderful as Patch the elf, and delivered a great performance without being a drunk or married to two women. It's movie of morals, and the spirit of Christmas.

David Huddleston is the best Santa ever on the big screen. John Lithgow is a fantastic villain. Dudly Moore is a fine elf. And Mrs. Claus is perfectly cast. The child actors leave a lot to be desired, but I guess they are cute enough to be in a Christmas movie.

Henry Mancini brings his wonderful talents to the music score and the set design is exactly what you imagine Santa's workshop would look like.

In an entertainment world that is obsessed with trying to find the next gritty and dark hit, sometimes it's nice to just enjoy a simple family film that makes you smile.

And this last sentence is only here to meet the character limit.

This is a beautifully designed and technically faultless movie. From the wonderful set and costume designs to Henry Mancini's whirling music, and with some excellently timed and well acted performances [Dudley Moore as Patch, John Lithgow as BZ], this really sums up the feelings of a magical Christmas. It is hard, therefore to understand just where things went wrong. Perhaps part of the problem is that the movie is just too over ambitious. The father son team of Alexander and Ilya Salklind had delivered movies of a grand scale numerous times before [The Three Musketeers, The Four Musketeers, Superman 1-3, Supergirl] and Santa Claus is no exception to the rule. Though their movies are often beautiful to watch, the problems that the producers often came up against were behind the scenes. Bust ups with directors and screen writers hindered the finished results, and the producers had to settle for second best. Jeannot Swarzc is a fine director in his own right, but he is no Richard Donner[Director, Superman-The Movie]. One gets the feeling that if Donner was in charge of this movie all would have gone well. Likewise if the Salkinds had hired a Mario Puzo [Screenwriter, Superman-The Movie] to scribe then the over excessivness that is aparent in David and Leslie Newmans script , may have been toned down. This is perhaps an unfair judgement. Maybe it were the producers who authorised such things like McDonalds featuring prominently throughout, and advertisements for things such as Pepsi and Coca Cola. It worked in Superman 2, but looks out of place here. This movie belongs entirely to Dudley Moore, who gives his heart and soul. Moore was ready made for the role of Patch and has the time of his life, looking and behaving like an Elf would. Every time an Elf is presented in a Christmas movie, it is hard to except him because one has seen Dudley. The laughs go entirely to John Lithgow as the evil Scrooge like BZ. Pompous and witty and also very funny. And also David Huddleston, perfectly cast [Just as Christopher Reeve was in Superman and Helen Slater in Supergirl] as Santa Claus. No doubt that when children who have seen this movie, think of Santa Claus, it will be Huddleston they imagine. This will be the case for generations to come. David Huddleston gives a loving performance and deserves special praise. The real spectacle is the presentation of Santa's grotto in the wonderfull opening sequence. This is where Swarzc's direction is at its best, really capturing the feel of Christmas. The design of the Grotto itself is simply stunning and captures all those images of child hood dreams at once. The elves at work scenes are brilliantly directed again with panache by Swarzc. Other good moments are the scenes when Santa flies by the Statue of Liberty, Patches car flight and the final epic race to save patch at the end of the movie. Henry Mancini's music is at its best in this movie, and there are some great songs sung by Sheena Easton. Where the movie fails is in its lack of a good script, and some times patchy [no pun intended] direction. These things aside the movie is magical, and one that requires a re-release or re apraise. Its a good thing that the movie earned over $100 million in the U.S.A., because this is an American movie, yet its appeal seems to be universal. Pure Magic

I played one of the elves in the movie. When Santa & Anya are shown the Elf Village for the first time & watch all the toy-making, Patch (the late Dudley More) & a small group of "elf musicians" are seen "playing" the music. Watch out for me at the top of an "elvish double-bass". The movie was available on DVD in the UK & I purchased a copy, having not seen it since it's release. I think it's a lovely Christmas film that deserved greater critical acclaim than it received. I'm glad to see that it is now becoming something of a cult movie, which should ensure it's existence for many years to come. Having viewed the movie this year (2016), I feel proud to have made a small contribution to a film that tells a timeless story with considerable integrity. David Huddleston who passed away recently was the perfect casting for Santa Claus.

Well I've seen this movie several times as a kid and I thought it was great. It's a typical children's movie and I thought it had something magical about it. One of those movies where afterwards you go to your room and - being a kid - imagine that the candy cane you're holding in your hands is glowing. Compared to other Christmas movies I think this one is better than many.

A vintage Christmas film with touching set pieces , emotion , fantastic drama and extreme sensibility . It is a moving , brilliant story with attractive images and fantastic elements . Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) boasts a good cast , such as : Dudley Moore, John Lithgow, David Huddleston, Burgess Meredith, Judy Cornwell, Jeffrey Kramer, among others. This is the story of a master toymaker who discovers a magical kingdom of elves in the North Pole and becomes Santa Claus. Magic story about an Elf (Dudley Moore) who falls prey to an evil toy maker (John Lithgow) and almost ruins the Christmas and Santa Claus himself (David Huddleston) . Then he winds up pitting on Santa's suit . And so begins his adventure to rescue Patch and to save Christmas for all the children of the world. This year he really is coming to town . Guess who's coming to town!.The legend comes to life. Seeing is believing!.Santa Claus. The spirit of Christmas. But who is he really?.From the team who brought the three Superman blockbusters to the screen comes a story to stir the imagination - and warm the heart.

A charming and feeling flick for children of all ages based on the all-time classic Christmas legend . This engrossing picture contains powerful and haunting images , entertainment and amusement . Beautiful scenery , colorful cinematography by cameraman Arthur Ibbetson , catching musical score by Henry Mancini , spirited adventure and a stirring climax lift this story . It is a genuine as well as imaginative tale written and directed with sensibility , fairness and imagination , though some scenes are far-from-snappy . If you like Dudley Moore , you'll enjoy this light-weight holiday comedy , in which he stars an Elf named Patch who visits Earth and innocently joins forces with an evil toy manufacturer delightfully performed by John Lithgow , then its up to Santa finely played by David Huddleston to save him and the spirit of Christmas in children everywhere . Script occassionally shows flashes of wit above its station before succumbing to sticky sentiment , at times.

The motion picture was uneven but competently directed by Jeannot Szwarc , containing some flaws , gaps and shortfalls . This veteran French filmmaker has directed some successful films as ¨Bug¨, ¨Jaws 2¨, ¨Enigma¨, ¨Santa Claus¨, ¨Supergirl¨ , ¨Hercules and Sherlock¨, but usually working for TV , making episodes of popular series as ¨Bones¨ ,¨Scandal¨ , ¨Supernatural¨, ¨Castle¨ , ¨Criminal Minds¨ , ¨Grey's Anatomy¨ , ¨Private Practice¨, ¨The Protector¨, ¨Jag¨, ¨Numbers¨ , ¨Ally McBeal¨, ¨Fringe¨, ¨CSI Miami¨, among others . Rating 6/10 . Better than average . Worthwhile watching . The flick will appeal to fantasy genre enthusiasts and Dudley Moore fans.

I was surprised at how much I loved this movie. It is not the best Christmas movie ever made, but it is incredibly underrated as far as I'm concerned. The script is not perfect I agree, it is not abominable but it could have done with more work. However, so much compensates.

Santa Clause:The Movie does have terrific costume and set design, and the cinematography is lovely. The music is wonderful and adds to the Christmassy atmosphere. The story is magical, briskly paced and exciting. The direction is good, not amazing but it does do admirably with what it set out to do. The pace ensures that the film is never boring. And the acting I had little problem with either, the kids are appealing enough and David Huddleston is a suitably jovial Santa, but it is Dudley Moore's charming Patch and John Lithgow's fantastic Scrooge-like villain that steal the film.

Overall, this is a charming and underrated little movie, that doesn't deserve the low rating. Seriously, 5.1 is ridiculous, I have seen some bad/mediocre movies but Santa Clause:The Movie while not cinematic perfection is not one of them. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Santa Claus: The Movie is a difficult one to review without the rose tinted perspective of a child. In 1985 there was no Elf, Christmas Chronicles, The Santa Clause, nor Attenborough's brilliant take on Kris Kringle. To a 5 year old true believer, David Huddlestone was Santa and the Szwarc/Salkind depiction of his workshop in the North Pole was definitive.

Watching it as a forty-something with my own children gave me a different perspective. There is a significant degree of hokum that I was oblivious to as a 5 year old and some awkward moments with young performances. I never blame child actors for scenes that do not work, as for me it is the responsibility of the writers to provide more workable dialogue and the director to coach the actors and commit their best moments to celluloid.

For an adult viewer I think the strength of it now is how (in an very unsubtle way) it vilifies the commercialisation of Christmas through the greedy, 80s evil, yuppie character played by John Lithgow. I was scared of him as a 5 year old, but now I can see how outrageously funny he is in the role. This of course is ironic considering the hideous product placement in various scenes.

Dudley Moore carries a significant amount of screen time well with his personality and others like Judy Cornwall and Burgess Meredith are also memorable in their roles.

Some of the effects have aged badly. So much so it may take modern children out of moment to the degree a parent may be required to have a difficult conversation about the nature of Santa and movies in general. However, I think the general art direction, set design and costumes are very good.

Some of the theme music sticks in your head and brings certain scenes to life. Henry Mancini's talents feel somewhat wasted on this type of production, but slightly raise the overall quality of the film for me.

I saw and liked this as a kid, so I thought I'd see how well it holds up as an adult. The answer is that it doesn't: every scene I found charming as a boy I now find embarrassing. SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE turns out to be one of the most twee and overly mawkish Christmas movies ever made.

The problem with the film is the script, which just meanders all over the place, plotlessly and painfully without focus or insight. It appears that the producers realised they could use the same kind of 'flying' special effects from the SUPERMAN series except swap them for Santa and his reindeers flying through the air. But that's no basis for a movie.

It takes an hour or so for the storyline (involving an evil toy manufacturer) to get moving, and before then there are just lots of annoying scenes with the elves, who make the Ewoks look appealing. We get Dudley Moore mugging shamelessly in one of his irritating kid's film performances, and David Huddleston overegging it as a good-natured Santa. One of the sub-plots, involving floating kids, seems to have been stolen from WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY.

Thankfully, the film does pick up a little in the latter stages when there's actual stuff going on (even if it still isn't much), and we do get a scene-stealing turn from John Lithgow as a remarkably slimy villain. Sadly, his presence isn't enough to stop this from being a film that's a worthless watch for anyone over eight years old.

NB. I recently watched this film one more time just to see if I was being too harsh on it above. I guess I was - a little. If you're in the mood for cloying sentimental and feel-good Christmas fare, then I guess it's the film for you. It certainly looks nice in high definition and the early storyline about how Santa Claus became Santa Claus is quite well done. A good kid's film then, although adults may want to pass on it.

"Santa Claus", or "Santa Claus:the movie" is one of the most traditional and magical christmas films ever made, in my opinion. Despite what others say, this movie grasps all of the fantasy,mystery and meaning of Christmas,and presents it in an entertaining family flick. This film was the basis of my children's Christmas beliefs,who will,might I add,also defend this film strongly. I think that anyone who does not enjoy this "feel-good christmas movie" either wasn't in the right state of mind while watching it, or is just a scrooge!

The first half of this film, set hundreds of years ago, shows how the old man who eventually became Santa Claus was given immortality and chosen to deliver toys to all the children of the world. The second half moves into the modern era, in which Patch (Dudley Moore), the head elf, strikes out on his own and falls in with an evil toy manufacturer (John Lithgow) who wants to corner the market and eliminate Santa Claus.

This long plot summary really gets to the heart of the problem: this is two movies disguised as one. As much as I like seeing John Lithgow as a bad guy, it just never makes complete sense. We either have the story of Santa (as the title suggests) or we have Santa versus a corrupt and naughty toy maker. We cannot have both, and yet we do.

That being said... no recommendation. This is not a lost Christmas classic by any means.

I first saw this movie when I was 6 or 7. I have been in love with the movie ever since then. I think it is a great movie. So its not just for kids, do all X-Mas movies have to be for kids? I dont understand why everyone had such problems with it. It was funny, and added a twist others didnt. I was attracted to the car Dudley Moore created. I just think it was great.

Santa Claus is a decent movie with a reasonably well developed storyline and a talented cast, although no one ever gets to show their full potential as an actor. It certainly has good moments and is a very nice Christmas movie that is very strong with the spirit of the season, it is certainly a lot of fun for anyone under the age of ten. The highlight of the entire film for me was John Lithgow, who I believe steals every scene as the villain B.Z., he's ruthless and completely unlikeable, it's an exaggerated performance that easily could have been hurrendous, but Lithgow made it work. My main problem with the film is that the story never really goes anywhere, it's almost two hours long and the adventure only really kicks off at about 75 minutes in, and is resolved by minute 95, the conflict is small and very simple, we never actually lose hope and feel as if the hero may not succeed. Every single character lacks depth or proper arch, none of them are established, not even the title character, we know very little about him before he is made become the Father of Christmas, and Patch the elf is poorly written, despite a good performance from Dudley Moore, the character starts out normal, eventually becomes evil for unknown reasons, and randomly becomes good again, it made little sense to be and it was clear he was just a poorly developed character. It's worth a look if you see it on television, but Santa Claus is definitely not a movie I would insist on watching every Christmas, and you shouldn't go out of your way to see it.

A woodcutter soon becomes Santa Claus and must save Christmas from an evil toy manufacturer.

Best Performance: John Lithgow

Me thinks folks protest too much! Sit back, relax and enjoy this cute little movie. The plot is good. The actors do a very nice job of "being" their characters. Villains are vile and heroes are worthy. There is a continual ebb and flow with who is winning, good or evil. Good wins over evil. The scenery is is beautiful and fanciful. The effects are nifty and somewhat corny. What more could one ask for a short period of fantasy flight from the cares of the world? Don't worry about fitting it into today's "problems with society section." Avoid seeing discussions of drug problems, violence in the world, sex in the city. Don't consider deep, hidden meanings. Just have some popcorn, turn down the lights, get into your comfy chair and enjoy yourself. This is a movie made for the cold winter nights.

Nice film, I found enough enjoyment with it.

Probably not as deep or creative as it could've been, but I do like the plot of 'Santa Claus: The Movie' as it starts off at the embryonic stages of Santa. It ends up turning into a run-of-the-mill good v. bad thing, but that cause is helped by the casting of John Lithgow - who is entertaining.

Lithgow isn't the only positive cast, as Dudley Moore and David Huddleston do solid things too. It's interesting to see that Lithgow doesn't rate this, as well as the fact that it's apparently popular in the UK; though I, as a Englishman, had never heard about this before this year to be honest.

There are, at least in my opinion, many better festive films out there, but this 1985 flick is a satisfying Xmas watch. It's cheesy and features some questionable special effects, but does have pleasant-looking reindeer and has charm.

i don't know what to think about this movie.i didn't hate it but i didn't really like it either.here's why.i thought the whole atmosphere of the the movie was sad,almost depressing at times.and i felt the music overpowered the movie at times.it just got to be a bit too much.normally the colour scheme of a movie isn't something i think about.however,this movie seems to have colours that were much too muted for it's subject matter.the colours just weren't very bright.i'll admit that the movie approaches being something close to magical at times,but,for me,it doesn't quite get there.it's also slow paced.i think even children will be bored with it at times.for me,the movie was more of a loud spectacle than anything else.i don't think too many people will be filled with joy while watching this movie.it's bearable at best,at least in my opinion.my vote for Santa Claus:The Movie is a 4/10

What a beautiful film with an AMAZING Santa. Exactly how the north pole should be! A magical film for a magical time of year!

He French producers of "Superman" almost kill-off another legend. The movie starts out wonderful, even if Santa and his Mrs. have to "go to sleep" in a "funeral-like" sequence that might have been disturbing for little kids. The first third of the film is magical with fantastic English sets that show a wonder and fancy equal to the original "Willie Wonka" art direction. The modern middle of the picture is ho-hum and drab. Obnoxious product placements are everywhere: McDonald's, Pan Am, Coca Cola, Sylvania T.V., PBR Beer." Dudley Moore plays Patch the Elf with a great deal of whimsy. Basically 3 themes: How Santa began, modern-day, and Patch returns to the North Pole. Major plot holes abound: If Joe is homeless, how can he attend school? Why do the black b-ball players in the 'hood have British accents? There is no such thing as a "Step-Uncle"! The story is a hackneyed retelling of "Annie" and "Scrooge." The girl is a little red-haired orphan. Joe is an innocent street urchin, much like "Oliver". However, there are so many honestly good performances: Burgess Meredith, Dudley Moore, David Huddleston. Villain John Lithgow makes Scrooge look like a nice guy by comparison. The reindeer are fantastic puppets and steal every scene. All the modern day sets are lack-luster and uninspired. "B.Z" Toys doesn't look anything like a toy factory should. There are no workers there at all! Therefore, only the First and last third of the film are worth your time. There's something definitely lacking. No sense of Christmas magic or wonder in NYC, here. The ending is some-what predictable but actually perks-up the film quite a bit. It's so eerie to see the Twin Towers in yet another old movie. Good musical score. Sheena Easton's rendition of "Christmas All Over the World" is great over the ending titles. John Lithgow drifts off into space, much like in "Superman". (as does the "Patchmobile".)" I think that the Christmas commercial was cut by a few seconds, as I remember the flashy girl "elves" being slightly more "naughty" with bare midriffs and such? "Not as magical as it should have been"-agrees Leonard Maltin.