Santa and Pete

The recent passing of one of my favorite actors, Hume Cronyn, made me think of this charming television movie which I saw a few years ago. It is a very lovely story which I hope will be shown more often. Hume Cronyn was the best Santa Claus ever!

I happened to turn the channel to find this movie just starting. Each scene held me in rapture. It was honestly the best Christmas movie I've seen. It can only compare to "It's a Wonderful Life", with Jimmy Stewart. I have talked about this film for the last three years to all my friends and family. No one believes it even exists. I have looked for this film every Christmas afterwards and it's never on TV or available for sale anywhere. I love the story and all the characters. It has a beautiful old world charm and teaches a great story of how Christmas came to be. Please let me know how to find this movie on DVD!!!!!

Like Cheetos, this movie is dangerously cheesy. But since it's a Christmas movie, I think it can get by with it. It offers a pretty unique take on Santa Claus and I love that the Dutch folk character of Black Pete (or Zwarte Piet) has been turned into an actual helper for Santa rather than his evil opposite that delights in torturing bad children. It's also nice that the racist implications for the Black Pete character have been stripped away by making him a positive black character instead. Also, James Earl Jones is in this movie and I say that's a good reason on its own to see it.

All in all, it's a fun, wholesome family movie and even adults without children can get into the story and characters. An underappreciated Christmas flick.

Santa and Pete (1999) is currently available on Tubi. The story follows a family visiting Grandpa's house for Christmas, their first holiday together since Grandma passed away. Despite the lingering sadness, Grandpa surprises his grandson with his festive spirit and shares his favorite Christmas tale-a story that never fails to brighten his holiday season.

Directed by Duwayne Dunham (Little Giants), the film stars Hume Cronyn (Cocoon), James Earl Jones (Conan the Barbarian), Flex Alexander (Snakes on a Plane), and Erica Gimpel (Fame).

The movie effectively weaves two narratives: the story being told and the storyteller's perspective. James Earl Jones shines as the grandfather, bringing warmth and charm to the role, while Hume Cronyn delivers an excellent performance as Saint Nick, making his journey captivating. The biblical-era storyline features engaging sets, props, and costumes that enhance the historical feel. While I wasn't entirely sold on Flex Alexander's portrayal of Pete, the clever writing kept me interested in seeing how the tale unfolded. The dual conclusions of both storylines were heartfelt and satisfying.

In conclusion, Santa and Pete is an enjoyable family holiday film worth watching. I'd rate it a 6/10.

I saw this movie on Hulu in 2009. It's a sweet movie that hints at some spirituality and incorporates a small amount of history to show how the story of Santa and Christmas has evolved. The movie says the story comes from a Dutch legend and I have seen various other locations mention a Santa and Pete Dutch legend although probably significantly different. It is enjoyable for the whole family. My children were enraptured and the adults found it fun and wholesome. At the time of this post the book that the movie is based on and the movie can be found on Amazon. I would say the phrase 'Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men' summarizes the goal of the multicultural angle of the movie. It is an enjoyable piece without many adult themes which is a rare find.