Christmas Movies Articles | Christmas

By: Liam

Movies set to a Christmas theme often are fun and most teach moral lessons related to the spirit of Christmas. While movie tastes are very personal here are some favourites. I seem to like the older works more than recent releases.

 A Christmas Story' (1983) is told from the point of view of a little boy in the late 1930s or early 1940s. It shows him doing routine things each day but against the backdrop of the Christmas season with the decorated store windows, Santa Claus, and of course his wish for a Christmas toy. But his parents disapprove of the BB gun that he desires. The movie is filled with little scenes that succeed in showing the innocence of the Christmas in that era.

 'A Christmas Carol,' has been adapted for movies several times. Based on the 1843 novel written by noted author Charles Dickens, it tells the story of an old man, Scrooge whose only purpose in life is to make money. Most of the western world knows the story well. Scrooge puts making money above his family, friends and everyone who cares about him. His response to Christmas is a grumpy, 'Bah Humbug.' He gets a different experience however, when ghosts appear to him and try to point out the error of his ways. The story’s lesson is about the importance of appreciating people in your life.

 'It's A Wonderful Life' (1946) is a story about hope and the worthiness of each one of us. It tells the story of George, a man experiencing despair and considering suicide, feeling the world would be better off if he didn't exist. An angel sent to earth to save George grants him his desire and he gets to see the ill effects that would have happened if he had never lived. Seeing the lives he touched George learns that he greatly contributes and that his is a wonderful life.

Every Christmas, 'A Miracle on 34th Street' (1947) can be seen on television. It  asks and answers the question 'Is there really a Santa Claus?' The movie centres about a man who claim to be Kris Kringle, or Santa Claus, but is not believed, and the people he touches.
Eventually Kris ends up in court and is required to prove his claim.

 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' ( 1989)is about the Griswold family’s attempt at a perfect Christmas with Mr. Griswold, played by Chevy Chase, who gets into silly disasters that provide a lot of humour. American TV has generally shown the censored version. The original had some risqué language the parents of young children might not appreciate. The movie had a sequel in 2003 that went direct to video.

 'Home Alone' (1990) is about a large family going on Christmas vacation to France. Amid the chaos of leaving on the morning of the trip, one eight year old is left behind and must stay and fend for himself in a very large house during the Christmas season. At first he is happy to be alone but then two thieves break in and he has to fight them off. The movie tries to tie into the importance of family and loved ones but is largely just a little boy getting the better of two adults. It succeeds in being funny. It does have quite a bit of violent action but was popular enough to have three sequels.

 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas', the famous Dr. Seuss book, was first made as an animation for  television but other versions have since been done as motion pictures. The Grinch is a grouchy, green man who lives in the mountains above the small townof Whoville where residents, called The Whos, celebrate Christmasenthusiastically every year. The Grinch who doesn't like Christmas wants tospoil it for Whoville and so he tries to steal all the toys, food and gifts thatThe Whos have accumulated for Christmas. The movie provides a lesson teaching that Christmas is more than gifts and presents.

 .'A Charlie Brown Christmas’ (1965) is an animated television movie based on the  comic strip “Peanuts” The movie is about the comic strip's main character, Charlie Brown, searching for the meaning of Christmas and tells of the experience with his friends, who eventually realize that the trappings of Christmas are not as important as their friendship. It also has Biblical references that relates to the religious meaning of  Christmas.

'Frosty The Snowman' (1969) is an animated 30 minute story about a snowman, named Frosty, who comes to life by a magic top hat and tries to avoid melting by getting to the North Pole. Frosty is pursued by the hats original owner an inept magician who is trying to get the hat back. The movie is very funny with Jimmy Durante as narrator and Jackie Vernon as the title character.