Christmas used to tell ordinary story
Patch (Moore) is put in charge of making the year's Christmas toys but they turn out shabby and so disgraced, Patch heads to New York to prove his worth to Santa.

Christmas is a special occasion every year and not many dread the time of year when you hear tales of Father Christmas, receive presents and join your loved ones for the festivities.

These typical elements of the festive season are encoded into this 1985 picture and are used in a way that revolves around making a mistake and trying to fix it before it's too late. If anything, Christmas is simply a setting for this conventional storyline.

The opening sees a man and his wife delivering toys to villages. Filmed in a dark and old fashioned setting you would think it would be maintained but then up pops a bunch of normal height elves that transport them to their palace. After ten minutes more where we see elves dance and Santa looking around their factory, we see an old man step out from behind a sledge to declare Santa the man to deliver presents to kids for the rest of his life. You will utter a sigh when he mentions the word "prophecy" which is undoubtedly an attempt to make the legend but is conveyed as a mere convenience as the old guy is on the verge of retiring. Or is this a religious point? There is no indication that it is which leaves us scratching our heads.

So after around half an hour of pointless scene setting the story eventually gets going and Patch makes faulty toys and is soon on his way to New York. In what is slightly funny, the elves and Santa aren't seen caring much for Patch's absence until Santa realises he is making a wooden man that resembles the elf, yes it is that sickly obvious.

On the plus side when Santa visits New York and meets Joe and Cornelia then the spirit of Christmas and good will appears. Joe the homeless kid and Cornelia the unappreciated step daughter form a friendship that is sweet and when Cornelia gives Joe some food it will bring a smile to viewer's faces.

John Lithgow is a fantastic villain and would have been better with more onscreen time.

There is a cringing last ditch attempt to save the day and as it's a Christmas film there is only one way it is going to go to keep the spirits of viewers up.

In conclusion Santa Claus the movie is as predictable as the arrival of next Christmas with an awful take on the legend, some strange settings and a feeling of using Christmas as an excuse to portray a story of right and wrong.

3.5/10

Magic, magic, magic!
Out of all the of the christmas films that I have seen over the years, this is the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest! Ok, the acting of the little lad that plays Joe leaves something to be desired, but if you put this aside and just watch the film for shear enjoyment and getting in that festive mood, then you too will get wrapped up in that magic tingly feelling that this film evokes.
I remember watching this film as a little girl and I still get the same feeling it gave when I was about 10. I have now bought it for my 2 year old and he justs loves it - its a fantastic way to introduce children to the magic of Santa, elves, reindeer and the magic of christmas if you just believe. Go on - give it a go - you will not be disappointed!

The Magical Christmas Movie
"The Prophesy has come to pass...that there will come to us a Chosen One...and that he, having no child of his own, will love all the children in all the world..." And in these immortal words a Miricle took place and the Legend of Santa Claus was born.

I have watched this film every Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember, and no matter how many times I watch it, it seems just as magical as the very first time I ever saw it.

This is a wonderful story that explains the Legend of Christmas in a way which will never fail to entrall generations of children. It tells the story of Santa Claus from his origin; how a humble & kind toymaker with a love for children and a skill in carpentry became the man we now know as Santa Claus. This Movie answers all the questions ever asked about Santa by children, from how his Reindeer fly to how he delivers all the presents in just one night. David Huddleson completely encompasses Santa Claus in every which way, complete with white beard, hair, suit, sack and flying reindeer. And the brilliant Dudley Moore throws in excellent elements of comedy as the impressive Elf Patch. Although there is a storyline to this, concerning Patch and a young street-urchin called Joe whom Santa be-friends, and an evil Entrepeneur trying to steal Xmas away from Santa, it still retains its wonder magic and doesn't stray away from the real story - the legend of Father Christmas.

Even today as a fully grown Adult I still regress to 5 years old when I see this film, and it never fails to capture my imagination. I can honestly say there is no other Christmas movie out there that makes me feel this way. I simply adore this film and I'm sure any child who watches this at Christmas will come away loving it just as much as I do still today.

A Christmas Classic
This film takes me right back to when I was a kid on Christmas eve watching this film before being tucked into bed...I bought this for me and hopefully when my 2 are old enough they will enjoy this just as much... This is the REAL Santa and in my eyes always has been.
5 stars for nostalgia! Brilliant Film, enjoy!

The best christmas movie ever
My favourite christmas movie. When I watch this film I know that its christmas.

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