Rettet den Weihnachtsmann

I taped this wonderful little Christmas offering back in '84 when the kids were still in nappies. We have watched this flick religiously every yuletide season since (takes a LOT to wear out those old BETA tapes!) I'd like to see someone criticise this flick in the presence of my kids - that'd be really messy!!!

Well cast with engineer Paul le Mat being warned-off drilling near the North Pole for fear of his blasting, endangering Santa's workshop. He and wife Jaclyn Smith were the right choice here, exuding just the right amount of parental care and not-quite disbelief. Love the scenes in Santa's factory - Art Carney is simply perfect as Santa. If this one doesn't re-awaken the child in you, it simply was never there.

Oh and that final scene? everyone looking in different directions? It's a classic!

I've enjoyed this movie ever since I've first seen it back in the 80s and still enjoy it today. The special FX are decent especially for the era this film came out of but better than most(Santa Claus conquers the Martins). The plot of drilling for oil at the North Pole area is unique. And Santa's dislike of the song "Jingle Bells" can be agreed upon by most during the Christmas season. The scenes of Northpole City are very creative. The use of technology however does take a little away from the mystery surrounding Santa Claus but then people today want everything answered with science. The movie helps make Santa into a more realistic character. A highly enjoyable film for the whole family.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 300 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

The Night They Saved Christmas is a 1984 American made-for- television Christmas film directed by Jackie Cooper and executive produced by Jack Haley, Jr. and Robert Halmi, Jr. The film, about an oil company dynamiting in the North Pole in search of an oil field unaware that they are endangering Santa Claus, starred Jaclyn Smith and Art Carney and premiered on ABC on December 13, 1984.

This film is worth watching. It has a charming cast and a story line that hits all the right notes without diving into the deep end. This is a Television-Movie so the Special Effects are limited and not the best however the film story works and that is what counts.

I first saw this movie on cable sometime in the '80's as a small child. For reasons that I can't explain, I've always enjoyed it. It probably won't make a lot of Christmas Classics lists, and maybe it's just nostalgia, but I still enjoy it today. The plot is kind of goofy, but that's part of the fun. It deals with an oil exploration company and an operation that threatens to destroy Santa's workshop, no doubt a way to tie in the emerging environmental concerns during the time. Art Carney and Paul Williams are great as well. The special effects are pretty decent for a tv movie of the time. If you haven't seen it and enjoy discovering these '80's gems, it's worth a watch.

The whole movie gives such a warm, cozy feel. The style of the movie is just perfect. It's very believable, and down to earth, you could say. The explanation of Santa's powers is about as believable as it gets in Christmas movies, and Art Carney is the only person who could ever fill the boots of Mr. Claus so well. When I close my eyes and envision my ideal Santa, it's his face that pops to mind. That's the lasting impression this movie has left. It's been my favorite Christmas movie since I was old enough to remember.

The setting is a departure from the usual Christmas fare, as well. The family travels as it moves to new oil drilling sites, and as a little boy, seeing the construction equipment in the intro credits, coupled with the fact that it's a Christmas movie left an impression upon a lot of my interests at that age. All little boys love dump trucks and construction equipment, and somehow it fits into a Christmas tale.

If you've never seen this, you must.