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Father Christmas

  • TV Short
  • 1991
  • G
  • 25m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
2.7K
YOUR RATING
Father Christmas (1991)
Home Video Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer0:53
2 Videos
3 Photos
Hand-Drawn AnimationHoliday AnimationAnimationComedyFamilyFantasyShort

A down-to-earth Father Christmas recounts a vacation he took around the world and a typical Christmas Eve workload, from his small house in contemporary Britain.A down-to-earth Father Christmas recounts a vacation he took around the world and a typical Christmas Eve workload, from his small house in contemporary Britain.A down-to-earth Father Christmas recounts a vacation he took around the world and a typical Christmas Eve workload, from his small house in contemporary Britain.

  • Directors
    • Dave Unwin
    • Dianne Jackson
  • Writers
    • Raymond Briggs
    • Dianne Jackson
    • Michael Adams
  • Star
    • Mel Smith
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    2.7K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Dave Unwin
      • Dianne Jackson
    • Writers
      • Raymond Briggs
      • Dianne Jackson
      • Michael Adams
    • Star
      • Mel Smith
    • 27User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos2

    Father Christmas
    Trailer 0:53
    Father Christmas
    Father Christmas Trailer
    Trailer 0:40
    Father Christmas Trailer
    Father Christmas Trailer
    Trailer 0:40
    Father Christmas Trailer

    Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast1

    Edit
    Mel Smith
    Mel Smith
    • Father Christmas
    • (voice)
    • Directors
      • Dave Unwin
      • Dianne Jackson
    • Writers
      • Raymond Briggs
      • Dianne Jackson
      • Michael Adams
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews27

    7.42.6K
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    Featured reviews

    Kirpianuscus

    lovely

    One of films keeping the spirit of Christmas in high manner. Beautiful, amusing, seductive and..perfect. Because it is more than an inspired adaptation but a pure and generous lovely gem of animation.
    8popyoshi-36312

    Endearing

    Endearing little spin off to the snowman. Father Christmas is a comedic modern spin on Santa Claus. Instead of showing some powerful magical being who lives away from everyone, it instead shows an ordinary guy with lots of chores a somewhat negative attitude and desperate for a break from work. It's a really fun spin on Santa and I love how despite his negative attitude he's shown to still be deeply caring, heartwarming and friendly. I can definitely recommend it but it can be a bit adult with Santa going to a casino and also drinking with Scottish man, he also blooming in almost every sentence. It's a cute movie Father Christmas is one of the most charismatic characters I've ever seen in this and the ties to the snowman are cute.
    ClassicCinematic

    Tremendous dialogue and humour!

    A well written and voiced over rendition of this story! Enjoy!

    Much better than another voice over that I saw...the voice over makes this soooooo good!

    The actors added so much flavour to this edition of the story...one must compare to hear precisely how much better this version is!

    An incomparable story for the Christmas season; I watch it every year!

    I really do not know how to make this version better. It has human - andimal relationships. Santa butt shots. Irreverent homour related to an old story.

    Bloomin' genius!
    8planktonrules

    This is NOT your typical Santa film! And, where is Mrs. Claus??

    "Father Christmas" is an unconventional Christmas cartoon. Why? Because it shows Santa in many ways you wouldn't expect...plus there is no Mrs. Claus, no elves and only two reindeer! But despite this, it is charming and well worth seeing.

    The story begins just after Christmas and Santa is in need of a vacation...so he heads to France, Scotland and, finally, Las Vegas. But someone always recognizes him, so he returns home to prepare for the upcoming Christmas.

    The artwork in this film is simply lovely...which isn't surprising since it was made by some of the same folks who made "The Snowman"...a gorgeously animated film from 1982. In fact, this same snowman makes an appearance near the end!

    As for the story, it's odd to see a VERY folksy British version of Santa...but it's still sweet and cute and well worth seeing. I tend to be a tad cynical about Christmas films, but I thought this one and "The Snowman" are just lovely family films.
    9freemantle_uk

    It's another blooming Christmas

    Watching Father Christmas is a tradition for my brother and I, we also watch it before Christmas Day, ever since we were young kids. It is a sweet natured cartoon based on a illustrated book by Raymond Briggs.

    This version of Father Christmas lives in an English suburb, in a ordinary terrace house with his pet dog and cat, and of course his reindeers. He is kind hearted, but grumpy, who moans about the image his has. He has to focus on daily chorus that are related to Christmas. He decides to spend his time for once on holiday, going to France, Scotland and Las Vegas, before having to get everything ready for Christmas.

    The animation is simple, and old fashioned and wonderful to watch. There is good designs and art direction throughout and the style is very close to the book. The plot is different to the traditional Father Christmas story where he is a not a jolly man living at the North Pole with a lot of elves, but a old man living a normal live, except on Christmas Eve. The story itself is simple and sweet natured, perfect for children, young and old. There is good comedy, some physical, but mostly based on Father Christmas' attitude and view of live. Mel Smith voice was perfect for this version of the legend.

    One of the best Christmas based films.

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    Related interests

    Jodi Benson, Jason Marin, and Samuel E. Wright in The Little Mermaid (1989)
    Hand-Drawn Animation
    Boris Karloff in How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)
    Holiday Animation
    Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)
    Animation
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
    Short

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Father Christmas says "blooming" 75 times.
    • Connections
      Featured in Motormouth: Episode #4.17 (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Another Blooming Christmas
      Written by Ian Llande and Mike Hewer

      Performed by Mel Smith

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 19, 1992 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Papá Noel se va de vacaciones
    • Production companies
      • Blooming Productions
      • TVC London
      • Channel 4 Television Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 25m
    • Color
      • Color

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