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Saving Santa
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| Saving Santa | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Leon Joosen Aaron Seelman |
| Screenplay by | Ricky Roxburgh |
| Story by | Tony Nottage |
| Produced by | Terry Stone Nick Simunek Carolyn Bennett |
| Starring | Martin Freeman Tim Curry Noel Clarke Tim Conway Pam Ferris Ashley Tisdale Joan Collins |
| Music by | Grant Olding Mark Yaeger |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | The Weinstein Company (United States and the United Kingdom) Cinema Management Group (International) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States India |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $9,278,821[1] |
Saving Santa is a 2013 animated Christmas comedy film created and written by Tony Nottage and directed by Leon Joosen, produced by Tony Nottage, Terry Stone, and Nick Simunek. The film was released direct-to-video.[2][3]
Synopsis
[edit]A lowly stable elf finds that he is the only one who can stop an invasion of the North Pole by using the secret of Santa's Sleigh, a TimeGlobe, to travel back in time to Save Santa, twice.[4]
Plot
[edit]To be continued
Voice cast
[edit]- Martin Freeman as Bernard D. Elf, the main protagonist of the film.
- Tim Curry as Neville Baddington, the former antagonist of the film, and a terrorist.
- Noel Clarke as Snowy, the investigating officer of the Christmas Defense Department.
- Tim Conway as Santa Claus, the Titular character. Tom Baker starred as Santa Claus in UK releases of the movie.
- Pam Ferris as Mrs. Claus, Santa’s Spouse.
- Ashley Tisdale as Shiny, the female officer.
- Joan Collins as Vera Baddington, Neville’s biological mother, and the antagonist.
- Nicholas Guest as Blitzen, Chestnut, the CEO and manager of SanTech.
- Richard Steven Horvitz as Orange Haired Elf and Chestnut
- Rebecca Ferdinando as Valley Girl Elf
- Craig Fairbrass as The Mercenary
- Terry Stone as Mercenary
- Alex Walkinshaw as Reporter
Release
[edit]It was released in the United Kingdom on November 1, 2013 and the United States on November 5, 2013 on Blu-ray and DVD by The Weinstein Company and Anchor Bay Entertainment.[5]
Reception
[edit]The film received mixed critical reviews. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 17% based on six critical reviews.[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Saving Santa (2013)". Box Office Mojo.
- ^ Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 275. ISBN 9781476672939.
- ^ Wilkinson, Amber (31 October 2014) Saving Santa 3D (2013) Film Review. Eye for Film. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ Meijer, Monica: Saving Santa (2013). (in Dutch). CineMagazine. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
- ^ "Saving Santa Blu-ray + DVD Review". Kidzworld.com.
- ^ "Saving Santa". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Saving Santa at IMDb
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Saving Santa
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Plot
Synopsis
Saving Santa is a 2013 computer-animated Christmas comedy film centered on Bernard, a lowly stable elf aspiring to join Santa's elite team of inventors. When Bernard discovers the secret TimeGlobe hidden in Santa's sleigh, he uses it to travel back in time in a desperate bid to protect the North Pole from destruction.[1] This 83-minute feature explores holiday themes of redemption and ingenuity through Bernard's resourceful journey.[1] The central conflict unfolds as Neville Baddington, a ruthless shipping magnate, and his scheming mother Vera launch an invasion of the North Pole, aiming to plunder Santa's proprietary delivery secrets for their profit-driven enterprise.[7] Their plot threatens to expose and commercialize the magic of Christmas, forcing Bernard into action as the unlikely hero.[8] Bernard’s time-travel escapades culminate in a resolution that safeguards Santa and preserves the holiday spirit for the world. By leveraging his inventive spirit, Bernard overcomes the invaders, restoring peace to the North Pole and reinforcing the film's message of clever determination triumphing over greed.[7]Detailed Plot Summary
The film opens at the North Pole during the bustling annual preparations for Christmas, where Bernard, a clumsy and aspiring inventor elf relegated to stable duties shoveling reindeer dung, harbors an unrequited crush on the confident elf Shiny, a member of the Christmas Defense Force. Despite his low status as an outcast among the more successful elves, Bernard dreams of joining the elite Santech inventions team and impresses Santa briefly with a prototype reindeer translator during a private demonstration, though his history of failed gadgets keeps him sidelined.[7][1] Bernard oversleeps and rushes to a Santech presentation for his latest invention—a memory-projecting ornament meant to evoke joyful Christmas recollections—but his haste causes him to crash into a power line, triggering a widespread grid failure across the elf city. This blackout deactivates the North Pole's holographic cloaking shield, inadvertently revealing its hidden location to the outside world. Seizing the opportunity, Neville Baddington, the ruthless CEO of the rival Baddington Shipping conglomerate, and his domineering mother Vera lead an armed invasion force to capture Santa Claus, aiming to steal the secret behind his impossibly efficient global deliveries and eliminate their holiday competition. The invaders overrun the North Pole, imprison Santa for interrogation, and terrorize the elves, forcing many into submission while Bernard narrowly escapes and hides in the stables.[9][7][8] Desperate to rescue Santa, Bernard discovers the sleigh's concealed TimeGlobe, a magical time-travel device that enables instantaneous worldwide travel by looping through time without altering the original timeline, though changes create parallel selves such as duplicate versions of Bernard and risks of paradoxes. With Santa's encouragement before his capture, Bernard activates the TimeGlobe for the first time, journeying back to relive the morning of the power failure in an attempt to avert the disaster and prevent the invasion. However, each loop presents escalating challenges, including failed attempts to stop his own accident and intensified invasions, complicating Bernard's mission with chases, narrow escapes, and encounters with his own past and future variants. Comic relief emerges from the antics of the reindeer Blitzen, whose stubborn personality and mistranslations via Bernard's gadget add humorous mishaps amid the tension.[8][7][10] Shiny, initially skeptical, joins him after witnessing his determination, sparking a romantic subplot that bolsters Bernard's confidence as they evade elf security forces mistaking him for an intruder and decode the TimeGlobe's rules together. Bernard's growth from bumbling failure to resourceful hero unfolds through these trials, as he learns to harness his inventive ingenuity without causing further chaos.[8][7] In the climax, during the invasion at the North Pole, Bernard and Shiny confront Neville and Vera, who interrogate Santa about his delivery secrets while revealing Neville's backstory of childhood resentment toward Santa for overlooked wishes. Using the magic of the TimeGlobe loops and the memory ornament to expose Vera's role in destroying Neville's childhood letter to Santa—thus humanizing and leading to Neville's redemption—Bernard disables their operation and frees Santa. The Baddingtons are thwarted non-violently, with Neville reforming after confronting his past. Christmas magic is fully restored, the North Pole's shield reactivates, and Santa promotes Bernard to the sleigh team as chief inventor, fulfilling his dreams. The romantic subplot resolves with Bernard and Shiny sharing a kiss, while Blitzen's comic loyalty earns the reindeer a special treat, capping Bernard's transformative journey from outcast to celebrated savior.[8][9][7][11]Production
Development and Pre-production
Saving Santa originated as a British animated Christmas comedy concept developed by Tony Nottage, who created the story and served as a producer.[12] The project drew on time-travel elements within holiday narratives, centering an underdog elf protagonist confronting a corporate antagonist threatening the North Pole. The film was a co-production between the United Kingdom, United States, and India. Nottage's initial story outline centered on an elf hero using a time device to avert disaster.[1] Ricky Roxburgh adapted it into the screenplay.[13] Directors Leon Joosen and Aaron Seelman were selected to helm the project. The animation was handled by Prana Studios, known for its work on Disney's Tinker Bell series.[14] Pre-production began in late 2011, with story selection and script refinement occurring by early 2012.[15] Production companies Gateway Films and Prana Studios were assembled to handle the 3D animation, with a budget of £5 million.[12] Financing and distribution were secured through The Weinstein Company, enabling voice recording to start in January 2012.[14] Initial storyboarding prioritized dynamic time-travel sequences and whimsical North Pole designs to suit the comedy tone.[13] Key producers Terry Stone and Nick Simunek oversaw early planning alongside Nottage.[12]Animation and Post-production
Saving Santa utilized 3D computer-generated imagery (CGI) for its animation, handled primarily by Prana Studios at their Mumbai, India facility.[16] The film's visual style employs a stylized, cartoonish aesthetic, characterized by soft-edged, bright colors that evoke a warm holiday atmosphere in depictions of the North Pole and fantastical time-travel sequences.[17] This approach, delivered through Prana's expertise in CGI animation, supports the comedic and adventurous tone while maintaining a vibrant, family-friendly look.[18] Technical elements included detailed CGI modeling of central props like the TimeGlobe integrated into Santa's sleigh, enabling dynamic representations of time manipulation.[18] Post-production focused on visual effects to render time-warping distortions and explosive action during invasion scenes, blending these with the cartoonish environments for seamless narrative flow.[19] Prana Studios, known for similar holiday-themed CGI projects, ensured the effects aligned with the film's modest direct-to-video scale without compromising the magical, festive essence.[2] In editing, the production assembled the 83-minute runtime to balance action-packed sequences with lighter moments, prioritizing tight pacing for the time-travel plot.[20] Final post-production stages involved color grading to amplify the holiday palette, resulting in enhanced reds, greens, and golds that underscore the North Pole's whimsical settings and the sleigh's glowing TimeGlobe.[17] Challenges arose in rendering intricate time-travel visuals affordably, achieved through efficient CGI workflows at Prana's Indian studio to meet the direct-to-DVD timeline.[19]Cast and Characters
Voice Cast
The voice cast for Saving Santa features a blend of established British and American performers, delivering performances in this fully animated 3D film with no live-action elements. Martin Freeman provides the voice for the protagonist Bernard D. Elf, a lowly stable elf who discovers a time-travel device to thwart an invasion of the North Pole. Tim Curry voices the antagonist Neville Baddington, a ruthless billionaire plotting to exploit Santa's magic for commercial gain. Joan Collins portrays Vera Baddington, Neville's villainous mother and co-conspirator in the scheme. Ashley Tisdale lends her voice to Shiny, a confident female elf officer and Bernard's love interest.[21][22] Supporting roles include Noel Clarke as Snowy, a tough elf from the Christmas Defense Department who aids in the mission. Tim Conway voices Santa Claus, the jolly but captured figure at the center of the plot. Chris Barrie provides the voice for Blitzen, one of Santa's reindeer with a key role in the sleigh mechanics. Additional voices for mercenaries, elves, and minor characters are supplied by actors such as David Cowgill (Mercenary #1), Newell Alexander (Butterscotch and Mercenary #4), and Jackie Gonneau (various female elves). Note that in the UK release, Tom Baker replaces Tim Conway as Santa Claus.[22][4]| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Martin Freeman | Bernard D. Elf |
| Tim Curry | Neville Baddington |
| Joan Collins | Vera Baddington |
| Ashley Tisdale | Shiny |
| Pam Ferris | Mrs. Claus |
| Noel Clarke | Snowy |
| Tim Conway | Santa Claus (US version) |
| Tom Baker | Santa Claus (UK version) |
| Chris Barrie | Blitzen |
| David Cowgill | Mercenary #1 |
| Newell Alexander | Butterscotch |
Fictional Characters
Bernard D. Elf serves as the protagonist, portrayed as a determined yet initially overlooked stable elf working in the reindeer stables at the North Pole. Unhappy with his lowly position, Bernard is an aspiring inventor whose clumsiness often hinders his ambitions, but his bravery and resourcefulness allow him to evolve from an outsider in elf society to a heroic figure through his time-travel endeavors.[1][7][23] The primary antagonists are Neville Baddington, the scheming CEO of a rival shipping company driven by greed and a desire to dominate holiday deliveries, and his ruthless mother, Vera Baddington, who enables his plots with her own cutthroat demeanor. Neville's cunning personality contrasts sharply with Vera's demanding and manipulative traits, emphasizing themes of familial avarice in their bid to usurp control of the North Pole's operations.[24][1][7] Supporting allies include Shiny, an inventive elf who acts as Bernard's crush and provides emotional encouragement, often highlighting her clever and supportive nature. Santa Claus appears as the captured yet wise leader of the North Pole, whose inherent magic and trust in his team underscore his pivotal role in maintaining holiday traditions. Prancer, one of Santa's reindeer, contributes sarcasm to the ensemble, adding levity through witty banter among the animal characters. Additional helpers like the gadgeteer elf Snowy aid in technical exploits, fostering dynamics of collaboration.[25][26][22][7] The characters' interactions revolve around core themes: Bernard's redemption arc from misfit to savior, the Baddingtons' embodiment of unchecked greed, and the elves' emphasis on teamwork to safeguard their community. Visual designs are characteristically simplistic in the film's 3D animation style, with Bernard donning traditional green elf attire and the TimeGlobe serving as a prominent magical prop integral to the narrative's fantastical elements. Voice performances, such as Martin Freeman as Bernard and Tim Curry as Neville, enhance these traits without overshadowing the fictional personas.[23][7][4]Music
Score Composition
The original musical score for Saving Santa was composed by Grant Olding, who crafted an orchestral holiday sound blending whimsical elf motifs with tense invasion cues.[22][27][28] Olding handled the primary orchestration and conduction, drawing on his experience in film and theater music to create a festive yet adventurous tone that supports the film's time-travel narrative.[29] The score's style emphasizes festive brass for Christmas-centric scenes, evoking holiday cheer, while incorporating electronic elements for time-travel sequences to heighten suspense and wonder.[28] Key tracks, such as "Santa and the Time Globe," underscore the adventure through dynamic motifs that build tension during pivotal moments like the TimeGlobe activation.[28] This thematic integration mirrors the film's blend of whimsy and peril, with elf-related cues like "Elf In a Panic" providing lighthearted contrast to darker invasion themes in tracks such as "The Invasion Begins."[28] Recording occurred in UK studios following the completion of animation, allowing for precise synchronization with visual effects through close collaboration between the composers and the sound design team.[30] The process involved a dedicated ensemble billed as The Saving Santa Orchestra, ensuring the score's live orchestral quality enhanced the post-production audio mix.[28] Unique elements include reimagined traditional carols adapted for comedic beats, adding playful layers to the score without overshadowing the original compositions.[27] These adaptations, such as subtle nods in reprise tracks, reinforce the film's humorous take on holiday tropes while maintaining thematic cohesion.[28]Soundtrack Release
The Saving Santa original motion picture soundtrack, composed by Grant Olding, was released digitally by Milan Records on December 14, 2013, shortly after the film's premiere.[28] It became available for download on platforms such as Amazon, featuring a mix of original songs and score cues performed by cast members including Martin Freeman and Ashley Tisdale, alongside The Saving Santa Orchestra and Choir.[28] No physical album formats, such as CD, were issued.[28] As of November 2025, the 13-track album remains accessible on major streaming services, including Spotify and Apple Music, where it totals approximately 35 minutes and often appears in holiday-themed playlists alongside other animated Christmas film scores.[31] Key tracks highlight the film's whimsical tone, with vocal performances driving the narrative songs.| Track Title | Performer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| A Christmas Wish | Benjy Norman | 1:14 |
| Do or Die | Ashley Tisdale & Martin Freeman | 3:18 |
| Some Kind of Miracle | Ashley Tisdale | 2:50 |
| An Elf Like Me | Martin Freeman | 2:53 |
| A Christmas Wish (Reprise) | Benjy Norman, Grant Olding, Ashley Tisdale, Martin Freeman | 2:16 |