This version of Raymond Brigg's Father Christmas is a Butchered Americanized version. Narrated by an American actor, this version looses all the charm of the English version voiced by Mel Smith, the Original Father Christmas! This is NOT that version! This is a censored chopped version that just doesn't translate well over to American audiences.
In Father Christmas, Santa is not the Politically Correct Santa that prudish Americans would like you to see. He is a cantankerous Santa whom complains, and grumbles all the while that he is doing things. So much so, that he takes a vacation to Scotland, where he drinks at a Pub/bar. Vegas, were he gambles and smokes around bikini clad women. This Santa is shown as a normal person. At a couple times, they even show his butt, to which my God daughters think is the most hilarious thing. It gives a very strong impression that he is a real person. The American version is trying for that rankin/bass whimsical Christmas thing, but it just doesn't work with English Humor. Even the Finally song sung by the American actor shows a more benevolent, Richard Attenburough figure. The Elf-boss (Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer) is more cantankerous than the actor in this one. The original is more like an annoyed Bob Hoskins.
If you can, look for the F.H.E version of this movie online on Ebay. It's well worth it and extremely entertaining for both children and adults. It's no worse than the Grinch (Jim Carey version). Children won't notice some of the slightly more adult scenes that show only long enough for adults to register it. English humor abounds in this version.
To aid you in the search for the original are two ASIN numbers below:
English version number: ASIN: B000006672 Great Version!!!
Americanized Version Number: ASIN: 0767800400 Butchered!!!
