IMDb > A Christmas Story (1983)
A Christmas Story
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A Christmas Story (1983) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 32 | slideshow) Videos (see all 5)
A Christmas Story (1983) -- US Home Video Trailer from MGM/UA
A Christmas Story (1983) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
8.0/10   49,061 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 39% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Jean Shepherd (novel)
Jean Shepherd (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for A Christmas Story on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
18 November 1983 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas... more
Plot:
Ralphie has to convince his parents, teachers, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect gift for the 1940's. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins & 11 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(56 articles)
User Comments:
Just wonderful more (373 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
94 min | USA:93 min (20th Anniversary)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Canada:G (Nova Scotia/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Argentina:Atp | Finland:S | Singapore:PG | Sweden:7 | UK:PG | USA:PG | Norway:7 (original rating) | Australia:G

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Director Cameo: [Bob Clark]Swede, the dim-witted neighbor, who marvels at the Leg Lamp from outside. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the Black Bart fantasy sequence and the scene in which The Old Man is getting water to fight the Oldsmobile, there is no cabinet under the sink. In a later scene, this is the location of the cabinet door behind which Randy is crying because "Dad is going to kill Ralphy". more
Quotes:
Ralphie: I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!
Mrs. Parker: No, you'll shoot your eye out.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Black Christmas (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Little Orphan Annie more

FAQ

How did they make Flick's tongue stick to the flagpole?
When and where does the story take place?
Was the Red Ryder BB gun a real gun?
more
50 out of 67 people found the following comment useful.
Just wonderful, 23 December 2004
10/10
Author: Wayne Malin (wwaayynnee51@hotmail.com) from United States

Nostalgic tale of a Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) growing up in the 1940s (I believe). He wants nothing more than a Red Ryder Ranger Model Air Rifle (a BB gun for short) for Christmas but everyone tells him it will "shoot your eye out".

That's about it for plot but the film has sequences that every child (and adult) can relate to. My favorites: Ralphie's best friend getting his tongue stuck to a pole when he's dared to lick it; Ralphie accidentally swearing in front of his father; the bully that threatens Ralphie and his friends every day until Ralphie beats him up (in a GREAT scene); Ralphie's constant fights with his little brother (wonderfully played by Ian Petrella) and Billingsley and his brother being terrified by a department store Santa.

Also Melinda Dillon and Darren McGavin are just great as the parents-- especially Dillon. She has one uproarious scene where she gets Petrella to eat by imitating a pig! This was totally ignored when it came out in 1983 but has slowly developed a cult following. It's now considered one of the best Christmas movies ever made--right up there with "It's a Wonderful Life" (which was also ignored at its release).

A charming, wonderful Christmas film. A 10 all the way!

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