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I actually got to see this movie for the first time in Rome, Italy this past October during a film festival. Before that, I had never heard of this movie, let alone that they were dubbing a version in English. I got to meet the director who was very nice. He talked about all the things that a beginning filmmaker should never do, including working in bad weather, working with children, special effects, and animals, all of which were done for this movie. Shot on location in the dead of winter, with real reindeer, this is a pretty impressive piece of work. It's also a great movie to add to the collection of other Christmas films. I can't predict whether it will become a Christmas classic, but I can say that I liked the back story given to Santa Claus in this movie.

Once upon the time the seven year-old Nikolas loses his parent and his little sister Anna in an accident in the frozen lake. The poor villagers decide to adopt the boy sharing him among the six families: every Christmas Nikolas should move to another home. After six years, the families do not find fish and none of them is able to stay with Nikolas for the next year.

The grumpy carpenter Iisakki offers to the villagers to stay with Nikolas and teach him a profession. In the beginning, Nikolas is treated roughly by Iisakki; however, Nikolas makes toys for the children in his village during the nights. When Iisakki discovers what Nikolas is doing, he helps him to make the toys. In the Christmas, Iisakki helps him to distribute the gifts. Year after year, Nikolas and Iisakki continue the tradition.

When Iisakki's estranged sons visit and invite their father to move to the big city to live with them, Iisakki delivers a small fortune to him. Nikolas uses the money to follow the tradition of giving a gift to every child on Christmas.

The Finish "Joulutarina" is one of the best Christmas movies I have ever seen, showing the wonderful story of Santa Claus. I regret that only today I have found this film and not in the Christmas Eve to see with the whole family together. Unfortunately the Brazilian DVD is dubbed in Portuguese and does not offer the original language. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Uma História de Natal" ("A Christmas Story")

Americans may think Santa Claus lives in North Pole but in Finland everybody knows the truth about his place of residence: he is really from the Korvatunturi fell in Finnish Lapland. Based on this premise is also built Christmas Story, the second feature film of director Juha Wuolijoki who was previously best known for the peculiar culinary TV comedy Gourmet Club (2004) featuring the sturdy Michael Badalucco among others.

As opposed to presenting later adventures of the Santa we all know, Christmas Story sets out to reveal how he originally became what he is nowadays seen as. At the beginning a young boy named Nikolas (Jonas Rinne) becomes orphaned in Northern Finland sometime in the mid-19th century and the compassionate villagers start taking turns in looking after him, always for one year at a time. The thankful Nikolas takes up secretly leaving small presents for the friendly families every Christmas but upon the arrival of the great famine years, the villagers have no choice but to give the boy in the custody of the seemingly brutal and feared hermit carpenter Iisakki (Kari Väänänen). While learning the secrets of woodwork under the guidance of his strict new master, Nikolas never forgets the good people who once helped him and keeps making new presents for every Christmas.

I admit I was sceptical about the movie long before seeing it since Christmas movies have a history of being corny cheesefests and this one appeared to be no exception. Things were not helped by the fact that it also marked the acting debut of the highly popular but tremendously charisma-free pop star Antti Tuisku whose involvement felt like a cheap attempt to cater to the masses at the expense of professional casting. Luckily, I was proved wrong: the story is actually pretty down-to-earth and keeps the most obvious tearjerking clichés at arm's length at all times. Kari Väänänen does a great job as the scary Iisakki who is revealed to be a bitter and sad old man under his hateful surface and Hannu-Pekka Björkman is excellent as the heavily bearded adult Nikolas. The kid actor Otto Gustavsson is given a decent-sized role as the 13-year old Nikolas but gives no reasons to complain and Antti Tuisku's role is kept small enough to not get too distracting after all. I really hope the dubbing does not ruin the performances for viewers outside Finland.

Although the origins of a few obligatory Santa trademarks are of course presented (namely, how he got the reindeer, started dressing in red and became dedicated to his cause), the plot is not concerned with the real folkloristic roots of the historical Sinterklaas. Instead, the main focus is wisely kept on the characters and their development over the many decades the story covers. Nikolas is a thoroughly sympathetic man but can also be seen as a tragic loner driven by an obsession stemming from past traumas. Loneliness, fear of growing old, slipping further and further down into a crazed world of his own... He is not free of problems but fights them in his own way. Eh, maybe I'm digging too deep into the story but hey, isn't that the fun thing about watching movies anyway?

Technically Christmas Story is "at international level" like we Finns like to say about movies that do not look cozily clumsy and home-baked. The numerous shots of snowy scenery, the softly lit interiors and the elaborate carpentry equipment in Iisakki and Nikolas' workshop look all good and the score by Leri Leskinen is adequately dramatic and expressive throughout, even if also sentimental and overbearing at times. The sole supernatural scene at the end comes closest to the traditional American image of Santa; I am not sure if it fits in the earthy tone that has been maintained in earlier scenes but I guess a flashy finale was needed to ensure the aforementioned feel of "international quality".

After five rambling paragraphs, all I wanted to say was that I was positively surprised by the movie and think it is a well made holiday season film. It pleasantly avoids promoting consumerism or ramming a corny pro-nuclear family message down the throats of the audience. Perhaps some braver stylization could have raised the movie even higher above mediocre Christmas romp but it is definitely quality family entertainment as it is now too – peaceful, lovable and able to hold the interest of older viewers as well.

its simplicity. this is the basic virtue of this admirable touching film. nothing new, at the first sigh. nothing extraordinary. the story of a poor boy and its purpose of life. the great thing is the atmosphere. you touch each scene. to discover, again and again, old memories. about other poor boys, about small communities, about childhood and about dark character with painful past. it could be a fairy tale or reinvent of the origins of a tradition. but it is more - a real simple story who gives the chance to Hannu - Pekka Bjorkmann to give a realistic in magic manner portrait of Santa, to Kari Vaananen to remind pages from Dickens and to be the perfect master and to Laura Bim to shine.and, sure, the role of cinematography, landscapes and smell of the house are important details. it is more than a Christmas film. it is only a simple story about basic values. and this does it successful.

This movie has a lot more depth than most Santa movies from the big US of A. This becomes a major commercial problem for the movie since many people like to see shallow movies that are "heart warming" even though it smells fake long way, and prefer to place their dollars in such movies instead. This is not the issue with Joulutarina. The movie has dark sides, let's face it all tales have dark sides, the matter is if you present them or not. This is a REAL movie. Heartwarming, beautiful scenery and good acting.

If you want to see the real thing - go watch this movie.

By the way, the kids (8 and 12) absolutely ADORED it. I've lost count on how many times they have seen this already.

SEE IT!

I love holiday films. I also love good fairy tales (and I don't mean "good" to mean "cleaned up and sanitized for our protection"). So, when a good fairy tale and holiday film get together and give birth to a wonderful film, I'm very happy. The film isn't "pleasant," but it has a lot of heart-warming sequences. It's not "fun," but it does help to anchor the fact that all situations have more than one side to be told. It has some humour (at least, in the English dubbed version), and the voice acting was very good. The scenery was beautiful. As somebody else said, it's not good for children under 10 to watch, unless a parent or older friend/relative are watching it too, who can answer what or why things happened.

I watched the film, cried a lot, smiled a good deal, and sighed with contentment at the end. Definitely a film to watch with a cup of cocoa and a disinclination to go out, afterwards.

Let's assume that even Santa Claus was born some day in the past. That he was a small boy that grew up to be the mythical figure of legends and bedtime stories. What would he have been like, as a boy, as a man starting the Christmas tradition of giving gifts, as an old, bearded man driving reindeer sled? Well, if that has aroused your interest, then this is the movie for you.

Filmed mainly in Finnish Lapland, it's a beautiful film to behold. The rural, medieval fishing village offers a breathtaking setting for young Nikolas' beginnings and the bleak winter grandeur of Lapland practically screams Christmas at you. The music is also the very best Finland has to offer and as a whole you can find no fault in the production values or the technical aspects.

The acting is also topnotch. I especially love Kari Väänänen as Iisakki, the aging carpenter who takes Nikolas under his wing and makes him the toymaker the world knows him as. Such a perfect blend of curmudgeon and grumpy warmheartedness. The rest of the actors are equally talented and they really sell the whole premise.

With the sole exception of Hannu-Pekka Björkman, playing the role of adult Nikolas, that of Santa Claus. He's a good actor, don't get me wrong, and it's really the script's fault instead of his, but his take on Santa Claus is way over the top. And yes, it's a more realistic take on Santa's origins, but did they really need to make him so unhinged. The only reason this Santa wasn't locked in a looney bin was that they hadn't been invented yet. And no, that doesn't ruin the film and it's really just a pet peeve of mine, but I prefer my Santas to be a lot more dignified than this.

As a whole Christmas Story has potential to become a classic. It practically is one already in Finland where it is shown every Christmas Eve as the main movie of the night. That's how good it is.

Amazing scenery, beautiful music and of course our "Nikolas", who became something we all want to be. In northern Finland we do not need false snow, not to mention the degrees below zero :o) Kari Väänänen made a very good role as "Iisakki", the carpenter. After all he was just a lonely man and much more kind as his character first appeared. Also Hannu-Pekka Björkman was as lovable and as cuddly as "Nikolas" can be. I think, the way "Nikolas" remembered his younger sister Aada during his life was also very touchable. We remember, we care and most of all, we can learn from the things we do and which are done to us. This is to me a film which I think will become a tradition for every Christmas. And you know, I'm only 40 years "young". Have a joyful sleigh ride!

"Christmas Story" is a dramatic film with an all-new fable about the origins of Santa Claus. In this version, Santa originated as an orphaned boy in the Lapland country of Finland. According to the story line, this was hundreds of years ago. In an accompanying video about the making of the film, promoters who worked on the movie expressed hope that it would become a Christmas classic.

This film is set in the far North with snow, reindeer and sleighs. That is far from the traditional and historical origins of Santa Claus that originated with St. Nicholas of Myra in present day Turkey. But, by the 19th century, with mixed fables from around the world - especially in Europe, most common lore placed Santa's home at the North Pole.

With the competing original tradition and its historical authenticity, it's not likely that "Christmas Story" will become "the" story of Santa Claus. Or even a classic film of the season. I hadn't heard of it more than a decade after the film was made. I just watched the DVD of the film over Christmas last year.

Still, it is a nice tale, if somewhat tinged with a little sadness throughout. Small children may not sit still for this film, but others of the family should enjoy it. It certainly contains a Christmas message. And, it's a refreshing break from the frequent annual modern Christmas movies that mostly are overly sugary or schmaltzy.

The movie was made by a Finnish film group and shot entirely in Finland. Most filming was done in Lapland, where temperatures were as low as minus 40 degrees - both Celsius and Fahrenheit. Most of the cast are Finnish and little known outside of Scandinavia. But they all give good performances.

One of the more believable and realistic Santa movies I've ever seen. It is set in Lapland and is well acted with beautiful scenery and costumes. It's a great story for kids to see about how Santa came to be, why he gives presents and why he cares for children as he does.

The original Finish is clearly dubbed over, but as that goes it's not really disruptive to the story at all. There's no fluffy magic or elves or flying reindeer or anything like that. But a much more believable story of a man and how the myth of Santa has grown.

Highly recommended to add to your young children's annual Christmas movie list.

The Christmas story, Joulutarina, is a heartwarming story of the Finnish Santa Claus. Heartwarming maybe to Finns, though not to many who prefer the red American Santa Claus.

I had to see this a few times before it settled in. It's not a master piece, but what made me grade it as high as I did, beside the main plot and a few good Finnish actors, was the beautiful, beautiful landscape. Very nice to watch. Lapland in cold winter.

A few minus points: the sun is not that high as shown in the film during Christmas, actually the sun doesn't shine much at all in Lapland during December.

Part of the scenes and sets were a bit cheesy, for example going down in the woodshed for the first time. The candles were blazing when Nikolaus and Iisakki went down for the first time, though it is assumable that no-one had been down there yet that day. Who knows.

One particular factor that really bugged me was the use of language throughout the whole film - modern Finnish was used, with some slangy words and sayings of this time. They absolutely did not fit in along.

Antti Tuisku. Nononono. Absolutely fake.

All in all, though, a nifty package.

not the original. not spectacular. but different by common story and full of emotion. a plot who seduce and remember the taste of cinnamon and the touch of snow. good performance, gentle manner to create a credible puzzle and delicate build of atmosphere. not exactly a Christmas movie. only a nice frame for an old adventure who preserves universal values of humankind. a sort of fairy tale but really special because seems be just a slice of reality past. and one of the influent ingredients is the language. and the smart science of details. it is not great or in search of prizes. it is only a honest exercise to present the root of an extraordinary event. and its purpose, a noble one, is spectacular in a warm form. a film about a miracle. and little more.

All in all, this is a pretty good Christmas movie. Loved the characters, the writing and the locations. The ending kind of jumped out of nowhere, but again, good up to that point.

I have been donning the red suit and beard for over 30 years and I have to say,this is the most refreshing Santa movie I have ever seen. It does a superb job in "humanizing" the character and showing what led to his uncompromising goodness and kindness to others. There are many different versions of where the Santa we know originated from, and this film does not try to convince you that this version is true. Rather, it allows you to sit back and just enjoy a different "spin" on the origin of the man in red. It even gives very believable explanations for some of the myths and legends. The Christmas Season is all about love, and I believe that is true no matter where you are from. This movie has true heart and displays the love "Santa" has for all. I would highly recommend this movie for families as it is nothing but pure Christmas joy.

I liked this movie having seen it in the English dubbed version. I was not aware of any of the actors so the for-mentioned appearance of a Finnish Pop Star (Antti Tuisku) wasn't something I was looking for and felt the character blended in well as it was kept short.

For those that mention this Santa version vs the USA version, I have only one thing to say....The North Pole is in Canada, not the USA. And I think the Finnish version did a nice job of giving Santa (of any version) that classic look of what he may have seemed like in the beginning. For reference purposes the USA/Canadian version of Santa was created by the Coca Cola company for advertisement purposes and was never meant to become the North American standard version.

The movie to me was sad, funny and thoughtful. I thought it went a long way to give a classic children's myth a realistic beginning. My three daughters (21, 18 & 13) watched this with me and all loved it. The only complaint was the dubbing. They had never seen a foreign movie before and assumed no matter where it was made the lips should match the English words......kids.

I gave this movie a high rating based on what I saw. I don't look at the cinematography or pay much attention to musical scores. I watch a movie and it either resonates with me or it doesn't and this one did.

My only regret is that I don't speak Finnish so I could judge the difference between the acting and hearing the characters as they were written as opposed to the overdub.

A beautiful and sad Christmas story, with the initial backdrop of the Years of the Great Hunger (1866 - 1868) in Finland, a dramatic, cute and affectionate story about Santa Claus, just a fictional version, which deeply enchants lovers for Christmas, it thrills, touches the heart and leaves it warm... Very capricious production, all very well produced, passionate...

I stumbled across this movie while looking for something new for my little one, I was blown away! It's a beautiful story, sprinkled with love and magic. Its foreign in origin but the English voices are wonderful and make it ever the more charming. 5 stars, 2 thumbs up, 1 heart filled with holiday joy

Beautiful. If I were forced to choose a single word to describe Wuolijoki's Christmas Story, that is what it would be. Beautiful.

Christmas Story is, for me, one of the most pleasant surprises of the season. Others have already summarized the plot extremely well, so I won't waste your time describing the story line. What you should know is this:

Positives: Stunning cinematography. You will be hard pressed to find a more luminous and atmospheric film. The otherworldly, fairy-tale, winters of Finland are captured with a richness reminiscent of the resplendent winter scenes in Polanski's Fearless Vampire Killers. (In spite of the dubbing) The performances are world class, but the beautiful and talented Laura Birn truly shines in her role as Aada.

Negatives: The presentation offered no option for subtitles/original language. The dubbing is distracting and I think ultimately works to pull the viewer out of the otherwise magical experience. Film is shaped by many elements, and the auditory component is arguably more important than the visual. I think the film would regain some lost magic if our ears were offered the indulgence of enjoying the film in its original language.

Although American audiences may not respond well to the film's tiptoed pace and lack of shallow Hollywood glitter, given the opportunity to enjoy some depth in their film viewing experience, Wuolijoki's Christmas Story will open many unsuspecting eyes to what holiday themed film-making should be.

I watch it every year and sometimes more. Yes there's the tugging at your heart strings part but its about community and being human and of course the old magic of Christmas. Awesome family movie. So glad I saw I found it!

I love all the old Christmas movies too but this is the best made lately.

Enjoyed this film with Close Captioning on. Very very enjoyable at Christmas. Give no notice that it was made in Finland. My colleagues here in the US will find it a good film. Sit back and enjoyed this none traditional offering of how St Nick came to be. Definitely a I Believe type of film for all of us.

Add this to your Christmas tradition as we have so many lessons so much heart in this beautiful film and amazing cinematography. The actors are fantastic and this is 1 of those magical films that just make you feel better. I have no idea why I haven't heard or seen this but I'm extremely happy I did. With the year we've had it's just what the doctor ordered!! Trust me WATCH THIS FILM EVERY CHRISTMAS!!!

I just causally started watching this movie and absolutely loved it! Take the time to watch it, you'll have another traditional watch every year!