There are many Christmas movies. The problem is that, in general, these tend to be unsmokable, as if human beings’ neurons melted during the holidays. Luckily, there are those who believe (or have believed) in producing quality content for these dates, from classics recovered from the sixties (and which are a tradition in the United States) to the latest beauty from the United Kingdom.
This is the most interesting novelty of this year. Margery Williams first published The Velveteen Rabbit in Harper’s Bazaar magazine in 1921 and a year later she edited it as a stand-alone book. Now, in late 2023, Magic Light Pictures, the production company behind the delicious adaptations of The Gruffalo or The Snail and the Whale, has adapted it as a 40-minute television special.
It is the story of a boy who, after having to move and losing his usual friends, finds comfort in the velvet rabbit that he gets for Christmas. But, when the child is not there, the rest of the toys tell the rabbit a secret: if he gets his owner to really love him, he will stop being a toy and become a real rabbit.
Brian Henson, the son of legendary puppeteers Jim and Jane Henson, directed a Muppet version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. When it premiered in 1992, The New York Times appreciated that it was a good way for the little ones to understand the story that Dickens published in 1843. And who is Scrooge this time, that selfish and moody man who hates Christmas and who Are you visited by ghosts? None other than Michael Caine.
It is said in the industry that Netflix has a problem: it produces animated films designed for children, often very interesting, but they do not awaken that obsession of revision in its audience, as happens with Disney titles. Klaus, however, should change this inertia: it is a title for the whole family that, when it was released in 2019, already had the aroma of an instant classic.
The Catalan Sergio Pablos, who was the creator of Despicable Me, is behind this story about the origins of Santa Klaus. The story is original. The son of the most important postal businessman is commissioned to open an office in the most inhospitable, isolated and cold area of ??Norway. The problem? The inhabitants hate each other for reasons that not even they themselves remember and, in that hostile climate, no one is willing to write letters. Safety pin.
Another short format produced by Magic Light Pictures, based on the story by Julia Richardson. Mr. Rama falls from the tree and, instead of returning home quickly, he finds himself on an odyssey to return to his family, which even takes him to meet Santa Claus. It lasts approximately 30 minutes and, like all the titles from this production company, it is ideal content due to its story-like essence, the music, the voices involved, and its ability to captivate children. And, if someone decides to see The Branch Man, they should know that it includes The Flying Broom afterwards, another fantastic story.
It was first broadcast on December 9, 1965 on the American channel CBS. It has since become a landmark Christmas classic in that country, now available on Apple TV. It centers on Charlie Brown, who is depressed during the holidays, and Lucy appoints him director of the Christmas play they will do at school. What contributes to his disappointment? Even Snoopy and Sally see the holiday as an excuse to shop, shop, shop.
It lasts 25 minutes and, if someone wants to complete the viewing, they can always put on A Christmas Carol with Charlie Brown, the sequel produced in 2002, which includes five short stories centered on the characters of Charles M. Schulz.
