2/5 I Believe In Santa Clause
  by Marilyn R. Beach (Columbus, Ohio USA)
I love Christmas movies. That is why I purchased this one. I regret spending good money for it. First of all it was the worst visual movie I have ever seen. It looked like some high school kid filmed it. It was filmed in a different language and the english was dubbed in. A very bad job. It distracts from the movie when the words do not match the lips. The picture quality was fuzzie. The story was cute. The actors looked like they had never acted before.

3/5 The Second Worst Christmas Movie Ever - Must See TV
  by E. Schmidt
I don't think that any film will ever dethrone "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" as the worst Christmas movie of all time...but "I Believe in Santa Claus" sure comes close. While not as absurd as "..Martians," this film is just as nonsensical. If you're looking for quality family entertainment, you're going to be extremely disappointed. However, if you've got a good sense of humor, have had a few drinks, and are looking for something worthy of the Mystery Science Theater treatment, you might just enjoy this train wreck captured on film.

Let me clear up one thing before we begin - the title on the DVD box reads "I Believe in Santa Claus." The title that appears when you pop the DVD into your player is "Here Comes Santa Claus." In actuality, the name of this movie is "J'ai rencontré le Père Noël" - it is a low budget French film from 1984 that has been dubbed (poorly) into English. The film is presented full frame, so you will be losing some of the image around the margins, but when the production values are so low, it hardly matters. The film definitely has an aged look, and the DVD was obviously produced from a tape master, as there is occasional video distortion, and the print has a very un-restored look to it.

The plot revolves around a young boy named Simon, whose parents are being held as political prisoners in Africa (for some illogical reason). On a fieldtrip to the airport, Simon and his friend Elodie end up getting on an airplane bound for Rovanemi, where they meet up with Santa Claus (I thought he lived at the North Pole - silly me). The children end up being captured by an ogre, while Santa Claus and his Fairy assistant go to Africa to free Simon's parents.

This movie is so hilariously bad, and I could go on all day about it, but here are my top ten favorite moments. 1) The schoolteacher who breaks into song for no apparent reason, and at the most inappropriate moments 2) Children asking why Asian tourists are taking their pictures at the airport. 3) Santa Claus swimming (fully clothed, with hat and all) in a mud pool, while being stalked by a crocodile. 4) Santa Claus living within walking distance of the Rovanemi airport (with several other houses around his), yet stating that the children are the first visitors he's ever had. 5) A complete disregard for time and continuity (we are told several times that the date is December 23rd, yet Santa Claus goes out and delivers toys, then drops the Children off at a church early on Christmas eve - in that order) 6) Santa's fairy friend changing into a Red Riding Hood outfit for no apparent reason other than to sing a song about it. 7) The groundskeeper at Simon's school pelting him in the face with a ball of putty for no apparent reason, other than to be a jerk. 8) Santa Claus arguing, insulting people, and acting grouchy for most of the movie. 9) Santa's six elves (he counts to make sure they're all there), aka children with really bad makeup and Vulcan ears. 10) And finally, the best of them all - Santa Claus (apparently) throwing a puppy at the children to wake them up.

If any of this seems like a good time to you, then by all means pick this movie up (I wouldn't advise spending more than $10 though). If not, then stay far, far, Rovenemi far away from this DVD.


1/5 Trust me on this one.
  by Terry McAdams (Elk Grove, CA United States)
Extremely painful to watch. This is an old French film (dubbed) that was made on a very, very low budget. The quality is as low as I have ever seen and the story is sooooo bad you just can't sit through it. Special Effects are so bad my 12 year old could do better. Do not waste your money here. In fact send me a prepaid return envelope and I will gladly give you mine.

5/5 Magical
  by Jerome Gicquel (UK)
Lovely film and the pleasure to see Karen Cheryl, one of France's major singers of the 70s and 80s in her cinema debut.
Ideal for the Holiday season by the fire!!! Enjoy!!!