- Actors: Robbie Benson, Hal Holbrook, Dixie Carter
- Format: NTSC
- Number of tapes: 1
- MPAA Rating:
- Studio: Mca (Universal)
- VHS Release Date: Oct 9 2001
- Run Time: 80 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00004W46G
-
Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#562 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
- #3 in Video > Music Video & Concerts > Other Music > Christmas
- #11 in Video > Kids & Family > Holidays & Festivals > Christmas
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
"Mama, when was Santa Claus born? Why doesn't he ever die?" Based on the popular children's book by L. Frank Baum (author of The Wizard of Oz), this 75-minute animated version of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus provides answers to these and other pressing questions from the 3- to 8-year-old set. As in Baum's book, the quiet, moderately paced video steers clear of Christian references, focusing instead on wood nymphs, pixies, and magic. A wizardly fairy named Ak (voiced by Hal Holbrook, who also narrates the tale) helps the young Nicholas (Robby Benson) understand human misery and charges him with the task of serving mankind. Nicholas's talent for charming little children and brightening the lives of the poor--and poor at heart--soon turns into a lifelong career. Baum's imaginative scenario involves many bumps along the way; most unusual is a fight between good and evil (here demonstrated by a group of naughty thugs who curiously resemble rock Pokémon). Lush, realistic backgrounds of misty forests and blustery, snow-laden towns contrast surprisingly with roughly drawn characters, detracting from the film's overall quality. But a pleasing Celtic score and a strong message of hope, giving, and caring easily outweigh this minor flaw. Puppet animators Rankin and Bass did a shorter version of the same story in the '80s. --Liane Thomas
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best concept ever,
By Karen (NJ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (VHS Tape)
Anyone who DOESN'T love this wonderful tale of Nicholas needs to look closer at the true meaning of the holidays. "Christmas" is a modern version of an anicent pagan celebration. This movie explores the idea that Santa Claus is more than a fat man in a red suit (or as some think "the oppsite of 'real' christmas").It shows a wonderful concept that Santa was human and helped to make lives better by bringing hope back to children and adults. The fact that he is raised by and befriended by faries, pixies, gnomes and other fantasy creatures adds to the charm and wonder of the story. If you love Fairy Tales and have an imagination, you will love this movie !!!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautifully animated Christmas Fantasy,
By Frances L. Arsenault "lover of literature" (Nanaimo, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (VHS Tape)
My mom and I read this wonderful Christmas fantasy story from the creator of "The Wizard of OZ" one Christmas ago (I don't which one), and after that, I had love it and is has became one of my favorite Christmas stories. You know, to me Necile reminds me of Ariel of Disney's The Little Mermaid...when it comes to disregarding the rules of contacting with humans.There had been only two film adaptations maded for TV, and not one theatrical release. In this version, Disney's Beauty and The Beast's Robbie Benson lends his inimitable vocal stylings as young Nicolas (Santa Claus); Dixie Carter as his fairy mother Necile and Hal Holbrook as Ak, Master Woodsman of the World. Misha Segal (composer for the film The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking) provides a Celtic-inflected score for the film, along with song lyrics by Harriet Schock. As I said many times, I don't have a favorite scene, because I love the WHOLE film, and also Rankin/Bass' version, which was a TV special maded in the same year I was born in - 1985...I am not one to take sides.
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Origins of Santa Claus,
By Darren (Jersey Shore, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (VHS Tape)
This is one of the earlier Rankin/Bass productions which differs a bit from the traditional Christmas Specials that most of us remembered growing up. The story is told with a 'new age' twist and is filled with fantasy. It's a mystical tale which brilliantly and simply explains the origins of the immortality of Santa Claus and many of his associated traditions of Christmas. Although it's a bit off the beaten path of holiday classics, The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause captures the essence of some universal themes such as the struggles between good & evil and the nature of humanity. It also includes the typical universal holiday themes of peace, joy and goodwill. This is another holiday favorite that both kids and adults will enjoy.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
Most recent customer reviews |
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
