Studiocanal have released a new 4k restoration of the perennial Christmas Classic, SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE, from director Jeannot Szwarc will return to cinemas this festive period from November 24. The family favourite will also be available to own on 4k UHD for the first time, on Blu-Ray, DVD and Digital from November 13.
SANTA CLAUS: THE MOVIE tells the story of how a common woodcutter (David Huddleston) becomes the legendary Father Christmas. With a fantastical toy workshop run by elves and a herd of flying reindeer, Santa Claus has vowed to ensure that all good children are rewarded at Christmas. But the holiday season soon comes under threat when a rebellious but naïve elf called Patch (Dudley Moore) runs away to modern day New York. Lost in a world he doesn’t understand, Patch finds himself being exploited by a villainous toy manufacturer (John Lithgow). Could this be the end of Christmas or will the festive spirit prevail?
NEW EXTRAS
- New Interview with Mrs.Claus: Judy Cornwell
- The Making of Santa Claus
- Shooting the Press Conference Scene
- Deleted Scenes
Whilst numerous films are released at Christmas with a Christmas theme few go on to be well remembered classics. Wizard of Oz, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and Santa Claus: The Movie are probably at the top of most people’s list of must watch films at Christmas.
This Christmas season we’re in for a holiday treat with the release on disc and in cinemas of a 4K restoration of Santa Claus: The Movie.
Restored from the 35mm negative Santa Claus: The Movie probably looks better than it did in cinemas back in 1985. But as much as the 4K image looks great it comes with a small caveat. The special effects that were so ground breaking back in 1985 now look dated, in particular the flying scenes, the extra clarity that the added resolution gives only highlights the limitations that the film makers were working under at the time. However I’m sure that the vast majority of people who either see this for the first time or revisit an old favourite won’t really be bothering about the technical aspect. Instead they’ll be enchanted by the charming story and wonderful performances by David Huddleston as Santa Claus, Dudley More as the elf called Patch and by John Lithgow as the evil toymaker.
The 4k UHD, Blu-Ray and DVD come with a number of extras my favourite being The Making of Santa Claus: The Movie an original documentary from the film’s release in 1985 where Dudley Moore and the rest of the cast take us through the making of the film. It’s also nice to see Judy Cornwell, who played Mrs Claus and is now in her 80s, giving a rare interview in one of the other extras.
For those visiting it for the first time or, like me, for the first time since 1985 you’re in for a Christmas treat.