Miracle on 34th Street | | Cast : | Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins | | Director : | Les Mayfield | | Studio : | Twentieth Century Fox Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen, Dolby | | Released Date : | November 18, 1994 | | DVD Released Date : | October 31, 2000 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | December 21, 2004 | | Summary | The Classic to end all Classics | Content
 | This movie is without a doubt my favorite christmas movie of all time. Richard Attenbourogh(forgive my spelling)remains one of my favorite actors of all time. He was the perfect choice to portry the greatness that is Santa Clause. The actor lineup is great, the original of this movie was good, but it pales in comparison to this one. The plot is amazing, and this film just tugs at your heart, and maybe even will spark a few tears. As you see the one of the most beloved figures in history on a trial, which literally turns into a DOES SANTA CLAUSE EXIST trial. Watch as New York city and the World come together to do what Chris Cringle nows so well, how to help others. This is a great film, and one of my favorites of all time. Does Santa exist, and the films trial ending is the greatest part of all, I BELIEVE, DO YOU. |
| Rating | | | Date | December 20, 2004 | | Summary | Good message, but did they have to go and make it a PG flick | Content
| Now, first off, I haven't seen the original, so I may like that more, I don't know. I'm planning on watching the original now that I've seen this one, because the overall message of the movie I just loved. What a wonderful message to child and adult alike. But why do they feel the need to add tasteless humor and foul language to ruin such a wonderful movie. Did the drunk santa's pants HAVE to fall down and expose his rear?? Did he HAVE to use the term Numb N--s? Did Dylan MacDermots character have to say, "I just bought some mistletoe, why don't we go to my place and try it out" And those are just the few that come to mind. I know there were a couple of other phrases and comments that my husband and I thought were just not needed. I mean, they certainly don't add to the plot. Come on now!!!!Why do they insist on ruining such a family oriented movie like that!??! Either find an edited copy for children, or check out the original. (I haven't seen it, but I'm sure they don't say numb n--s) |
| Rating | | | Date | November 10, 2004 | | Summary | Ho? Ho? Ho? NO! NO! NO! | Content
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Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! However... His name is Edmund Gwenn, not Richard Attenborough.
I'm normally not one of these cinema purists who gripes over remakes of great films, but the remake of "Miracle On 34th Street" may be the worst rehash job, second only to the horrid rehash of "La Femme Nikita."
There are just some movies that you just do not go and remake. Would you remake "It's a Wonderful Life?" (oooops... forgot about Marlo Thomas as a female George Bailey in a TV movie). Would you remake "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington?" (wha... they made a TV series of it starring Fess Parker as Mr. Smith?) . Okay, maybe there are way too many bad remakes of classic films. Still, this is one of the most prolific in the bad rehash category.
First off, the excellent cast in John Hughes' rewrite of this Christmas classic is not the problem; the problem is John Hughes' rewrite of this Christmas classic. The tale was told beautifully the first time around back in 1947, a straightforward story pitting faith against cynicism: the happy-go-lucky do-good attorney (which makes for a great fantasy film right off the bat!) versus the Santa cynics, headed by the snotty psychoanalyst Mr. Sawyer. John Hughes seems to fancy this remake a deep work of comparative literature in need of characters with complex motivations. In 1947, Santa loses his cool with Mr. Sawyer's mean spirit toward a good-natured kid named Alfred, and he rewards Mr. Sawyer with a rap on the head. In 1994, Santa loses his cool only after a "set up," in which a disgruntled employee goads dear St Nick into a fight by alleging that his motives for being kind to kids are.....impure. PLEASE! Can't Santa lose his cool once in a century over a guy just because the shrink is an obnoxious pig?
*****SPOILER ALERT! --- if you have not seen either version of this film and intend to do so, you might want to SKIP THIS NEXT PARAGRAPH*****
The prime comparison that sticks out in my head takes place in the courtroom. In the original, Mr. Macy, on the stand, is put on the spot, and asked if he believes the man before him to be the one and only Santa Claus. Ever the old-movie sturdy-based man of business, Mr. Macy hardly changes his stoic facial expression; rather, we see a short glimpse into his mind, picturing the happy faces of the children as they watch Santa Claus in the parade. Then, without so much as a smile or a bat of the eye, he affirms that he believes Kris to be the one-and-only Santa Claus. This remake replaces that priceless scene with the court's judge leaping merrily out of his seat with a Flintstone sized grin screaming "I BELIEVE!" Oooh! Ouch! No!
Lastly, I hate to bag on such a fine cast, but Richard Attenborough's Santa looks like Scrooge in comparison to Edmund Gwenn. Gwenn knew that Santa Claus was warm, buoyant, and full of cheer. Attenborough looks as if he went through every Stanislavsky manual he could get his hands on to figure out what really lies behind Santa's moods and motivations. For the love of...HE'S JOLLY OLD ST. NICK!!!!! That's Santa's charm, he's a fantastic being in the real world, THAT'S WHAT MAKES HIM SO INTRIGUING!!!
That said, check out the version with Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, Maureen O'Hara and John Payne, because it is one of the greatest Christmas films ever made.
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| Rating | | | Date | November 03, 2004 | | Summary | Better than the original | Content
| I'm skeptical on remakes, but I've been watching this one for years and feel it's better than the original. |
| Rating | | | Date | December 03, 2003 | | Summary | A fine remake | Content
| Let me say two things.
1. I love old movies.
2. I mistrust remakes.
However, I loved this remake. It has become a regular part of our Christmas for the past 10 years. My wife loves it and I do as well. Get it now!! |
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