So, Christmas is almost on top of us, and most of us will have a few holiday favourites that we simply must see at some point over the festive period.
However, along with the universally recognised classics of Christmas, both old and new, there will be a few other genuinely standout Christmas films that may have slipped by under the radar. These aren’t the truly cultish joys such as Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, but rather films that have been well regarded by critics, that you’ve probably heard of… probably seen, in fact… but for whatever reason (be it age, content, lack of media exposure), don’t get quite the attention they deserve they deserve from modern mass audiences.
1. Joyeux Noël (2005) – If you’re a resident of the UK, then chances are, at some point over the holiday period, you’ve seen a Sainsbury’s commercial depicting the 1914 Christmas Truce between the Allies and the Central Powers during the First World War. Christian Carion’s Joyeux Noël centres upon the same events.
However, what Carion’s film is able to do (and does, viscerally) is fully depict the senseless violence of the War during which it happened, and the real human cost of that war. It allows us to spend time with characters from each side, and get to know them as human beings, what their feelings are, and what kind of xenophobic propaganda they have been indoctrinated with in order to remove their qualms about killing the enemy. It is this brutality that provides the juxtaposition which truly conveys the import of the truce when it occurs.
Joyeux Noël was nominated for and won several awards upon its release, and was generally received favourably by critics, so calling it “underappreciated” may seem a bit of a stretch. On the other hand, it is perhaps true to say that not many people would plump for a film about war and bloodshed among their favourite Christmas films. However Joyeux Noël is most certainly one of mine, and this year perhaps more than any other, I think is one worth seeking out.
2. Richard Williams’ A Christmas Carol (1971) – Here’s one you might not have heard of before. Directed by animation legend Richard Williams, and starring the voice talent of Alastair Sim (who we shall be seeing more of shortly) as the “squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching covetous old sinner” Ebenezer Scrooge, the film was a made-for-TV animation, but was so well considered that it garnered a theatrical run and, consequentially, was eligible to win an Oscar (Award for Best Animated Short).
Drawing inspiration from the original illustrations by John Leech for A Christmas Carol, the animation genuinely gives the impression that Dickens’ story has leapt off the page and come to life. In no other adaptation are the apparitions of Jacob Marley or the children Ignorance and Want more haunting and terrifying; the Spirit of Christmas Past more ethereal; or the Spirit of Christmas Present that perfect blend of jovial spirit of good cheer and stern teacher of real-world truths.
At a brisk 25 minutes, it can sometimes feel that the story is being rather barrelled through, but ultimately both the narrative and the message of the story remain intact, and the sheer beauty and unique style of the film are more than enough to compensate for any details that some may feel are hurried. It’s nothing short of a little Christmas gem.
3. The Nativity Story (2006) – There’s an old saying: “Never discuss religion or politics at the dinner table”, so with that in mind, let’s keep those two potentially contentious areas of debate out of this section, and just talk about the merits of a film and the story that it tells.
Released in 2006, The Nativity Story got a mixed reception upon its release, and that’s somewhat understandable. It is, with the best will in the world, not a particularly avant garde take on the story of the birth of Jesus. It is, however, a rather charming film, with director Katherine Hardwicke (who would later go on to direct the first Twilight film) striking a nice balance between the traditional, rather innocent, telling of the story popularised by the school Nativity pageant, and a degree of verisimilitude regarding what life would have been like for those living in 1st Century Judea. It’s very well shot, and the use of musical phrases from well known Christmas carols in the soundtrack is a simple… some may go so far as to say “obvious”… yet very effective conceit.
Whilst I do applaud originality and new takes on old ideas, on this occasion, I’d posit that a more traditional telling of the Nativity is completely justified. Take it for what it is; an accessible, magical (or mystical, if you prefer), if not especially groundbreaking, retelling of a well known story.
4. The Shop Around the Corner (1940) – It’s almost a certainty that if someone asks you to think of a Christmas film starring James Stewart, you’ll think of Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life, and with good reason too. However, just as touching and heart-warming is Ernst Lubitsch’s The Shop Around the Corner.
Revolving around the staff of a Budapest department store, The Shop Around the Corner boasts a wonderful cast of entertaining characters, headed by the ever-likeable Stewart (playing the straight-laced and honourable store clerk Alfred Kralik) and The Wizard of Oz‘s Frank Morgan (playing the store-owner Mr Matuschek; a man who is at once affably bumbling, endearingly pompous and yet deeply depressed by his circumstances at home).
Also entertaining (although at the same time, it must be said, somewhat irritating) are Margaret Sullavan as Klara Novak (Stewart’s love interest) and William Tracy as the mischievous delivery boy Pepi.
As with It’s a Wonderful Life, the story has some fairly dark themes at its heart, such as depression, divorce, infidelity and suicide, but ultimately – like all the best Christmas stories – it is about human kindness and compassion triumphing over what can all too often be a harsh world.
Also – fun fact – elements of the plot were later reworked into the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail… But don’t let that put you off.
5. Scrooge (1951) – Though children of the 1990s were almost certainly introduced to Charles Dickens’ famous story of the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption by way of either the Muppets or Scrooge McDuck, for decades the definitive film version of the story was Brian Desmond Hurst’s 1951 film Scrooge, the first film to star Alastair Sim in the title role (and for my money, giving the definitive portrayal of the character in this film). Adapting and expanding upon the source material, Scrooge gives the most comprehensive look at how the title character turned from well intentioned youth to bitter misanthrope, and in doing so makes the character more relatable and understandable than he is in pretty much any other adaptation.
Low down on the list because, let’s face it, it isn’t all that “underappreciated”. However, I think it’s still deserving of a spot given that many may be tempted to overlook it in favour of more recent adaptations of the story. If you’re going to seek out this one, definitely try viewing it in the original black and white. It was shot as a monochrome picture and is beautiful for it, and attempts to colourise it have always detracted far more than they have added.
Christmas may only be a few days away, but the season carries on for a couple of weeks after the day itself, so – if you have time over the twelve days of Christmas – try seeking out one or two of these films. They really are seasonal treats.
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