Santa Claus: The Movie (1985), from the producers of the Superman films, is an ambitious and visually enchanting take on the Santa Claus mythos. It delivers a heartwarming blend of origin story and contemporary adventure, bolstered by a memorable cast including David Huddleston as a pitch-perfect Santa, Dudley Moore as his inventive elf, and John Lithgow as the gleefully wicked villain.
The film is split into two distinct, yet cohesive, halves. The first acts as the definitive origin story, set centuries ago. It introduces us to Claus (Huddleston), a kindly woodcutter, and his wife Anya, who deliver hand-carved gifts to children in their snowy village every Christmas.
When they get caught in a perilous blizzard, they are miraculously saved by the mystical Vendegum, or elves, who whisk them away to the invisible North Pole.
The wise Ancient One (Burgess Meredith) reveals that Claus has been prophesied to become Santa Claus, the immortal giver of toys to all the world’s children.
This segment is a feast of fantasy, detailing the magic of the workshop, the flying reindeer, and the secret of how Santa delivers gifts around the globe in a single night.
The story jumps to the modern era, where one of Santa’s most ambitious elves, Patch (Moore), feels underappreciated. His attempts to modernize the toy-making process with a high-speed machine—which unfortunately produces shoddy, malfunctioning toys—lead to him leaving the North Pole in disgrace.
Patch lands in New York City, where his naiveté is exploited by the truly villainous toy manufacturer B.Z. (Lithgow), who only cares about corporate greed.
B.Z. plots to use Patch’s magical know-how to mass-produce powerful flying candy that will commercialize Christmas and put Santa out of business.
With the help of two street-smart children, Santa must stage a daring rescue of Patch and save the true spirit of Christmas from B.Z.’s cynical scheme.
Huddleston embodies the required jolly warmth, and Lithgow delivers an extravagantly over-the-top performance as the capitalist villain B.Z., making him one of the most memorable antagonists in a family Christmas film.
Santa Claus: The Movie (Photo/TriStar Pictures)
Reception for Santa Claus: The Movie
Santa Claus: The Movie grossed $5.6 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office behind Rocky IV, which earned $20 million.
The film would gross $23.7 million in its theatrical run.
Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half stars in his review.
Legacy
Santa Claus: The Movie has earned a lasting legacy as a cult Christmas favorite, particularly in the UK, where it became a holiday television staple.
Its enduring appeal lies in its grand scale, the sincere world-building of the North Pole, and the pitch-perfect casting.
For many of a certain generation, the film’s detailed North Pole workshop and magical flying sequences are essential ingredients of Christmas nostalgia.
