Search - Father Christmas on DVD

A Classic

kennedy19 | wakefield, ma USA | 12/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This beautiful and comic picture book stands as one of Briggs' finest achievements. A pop song in the nineties asked the famous question "What if God were on of us?" This book answers a different intriguing question - what if Santa Claus were just an ordinary bloke? In his inimitable careful style, Briggs follows Father Christmas through his ordinary routine on December 24th and 25th. Each page is a series of illustrative panels, rather like a comic book, though the artistic style is the same kind of fine color work Briggs used in "The Snowman." Many panels are silent, or else punctuated by our hero's curmudgeonly mutterings ("blooming chimneys!") Father Christmas is rudely awoken by his alarm clock on December 24th, in an ordinary semidetached home in England somewhere (this is a very British book.) He gets up, has breakfast, feeds the dog and cat, gets some presents from storage in the barn, hitches up a few deer, and is off through various kinds of weather to visit various kinds of homes, mildly complaining about his hardships the entire time. The humor of the book's tone grows on the reader as the story proceeds. At last he finishes his rounds at dawn and comes home to a most pleasant Christmas of a warm bath, a good meal, and some holiday brochures. Then we follow him up to bed. I reread this book every Christmas, with equal joy each time. It is funny in a slightly irreverent way, but it still captures the warmth and joy of a Christmas well spent. Kids may enjoy the comic book format of the story, but I think this book can be even better enjoyed by adults who can imbibe its full wit."

Beware! This film does not have the correct voice for Father

AM Clare Kelly | New York, NY | 12/11/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Beware everyone familiar with this film from British TV. This is an americanized version of what, to me, is a Christmas classic - and it ruins it. Mel Smith no longer provides the funny, colloquial voicing for Father Christmas. Instead you get a sanitized "posh" British accent, killing most of the humour. He hardly says "bloomin'" at all!"

One of the most memorable, enjoyable books I read as a child

K. Clark | San Francisco, CA | 12/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A friend of my mother's gave me this when I was very small. I remember most my mother's happiness in reading it to me and because of that it has always been a dear memory to me. I had forgotten about the book when I happened upon it a few years ago and bought it in the hope that one day I would have a child I could share it with. This year, I can't wait to introduce it to my 14 month old daughter even though she is probably too young to appreciate it.



My favorite memory in the book is of Father Christmas trying to figure out how to get inside the mobile home. I pondered that for several years! It really made me wonder.



If possible, buy the hardback edition, it's a book you will cherish for many years.

"

The staple of my family's christmas since it was printed

justin | St. Louis | 12/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ever since I can remember, this book was out on christmas day and my mother would read to me in her best english accent. this is a timeless piece, there is always something new to it and we cherish the book. pure genius and enjoyment!"