Product Description

Celebrate the enchantment embodied within the legend of one of history's most beloved figures. Though rooted in various religions, Santa also symbolizes the secular spirit of generosity. Adored by children worldwide, but often with a different name and emanating from disparate myths, he continues to create instantaneous mirth and joy. Join us on a jolly journey through time to reveal his roots--from the Roman Befana to the Germanic Berchta and Knecht Ruprecht, from Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8878 in DVD
• Brand: A&E
• Released on: 2005-09-27
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 50 minutes

Amazon.com
Tracing the 1700-year-old evolution from real-life Turkish Bishop to the rotund and jolly pitchman of today, this 45-minute installment of the Legends & Myths series of the popular A&E biographies takes a delightfully thorough look at the world's most famous gift giver. A merry Jack Perkins chairs the proceedings, chock full of historic detail, interviews with the likes of Father Andrew Greeley, a behind-the-scenes look at Santa school, and a comprehensive tracking of the change through paintings, cartoons, and movies. Whether revealing that the revered St. Nicholas rescued a dowryless woman by placing gold in her drying stockings or showing the picketing of the 1984 murderous Santa flick Silent Night, Deadly Night, this documentary informs, entertains, and, ultimately, redeems the old guy as the embodiment of the Christmas spirit. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews

Most complete histor
This is by far the best history of Santa Claus I have seen (and I've searched them all out). A respectful treatment of the religious tradition of St. Nick and a very extensive history to the modern legend of Santa Claus. I can not recommend this video more highly

Biography Santa Claus
My children were coming to the age where they did not believe in Santa as a live person who comes down your chimmeney. They had a lot of questions about how he got to be the icon that he is and what exactly he had to do with Christmas a very religious holiday. This explains alot of who the real Santa Claus was and how he got to be so commercialized. Good for some children and all adults.

Not for younger children
For the most part, I thought this was a very interesting DVD. However, I let my 3 and 7 year old children watch it with me. Near the beginning, there was a graphic cartoon image of three little boys who had mutilated and stuffed into a pickle barrel. St. Nicholas brought them back to life and was able to reassemble their bodies. I really didn't think it was necessary to have such a violent visual image. Also, near the end of the movie, there was a brief segment about how Santa is not always seen as a good guy---there was a movie clip of some murderer in a Santa suit chasing a person with an ax. Again, was that really necessary? There should definitely be a warning at the beginning of the show telling parents that there are some images which might not be suitable for young kids. Or, here's a crazy thought, just delete the violent scenes! It's a Christmas DVD which the whole family should be able to watch.