A Christmas Story (1983)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Bob Clark

Writers:

Jean Shepherd (novel)
Jean Shepherd (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 November 1983 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Tagline:

A Tribute to the Original, Traditional, One-Hundred-Percent, Red-Blooded, Two-Fisted, All-American Christmas...

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.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | BB Gun | School | 1940s | Indiana

Awards:

2 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Melinda Dillon	...	Mrs. Parker
Darren McGavin	...	The Old Man - Mr. Parker
Peter Billingsley	...	Ralphie Parker
Ian Petrella	...	Randy Parker
Scott Schwartz	...	Flick
R.D. Robb	...	Schwartz
Tedde Moore	...	Miss Shields
Yano Anaya	...	Grover Dill
Zack Ward	...	Scut Farkus
Jeff Gillen	...	Santa Claus
Colin Fox	...	Ming the Merciless (scenes deleted)
Paul Hubbard	...	Flash Gordon (scenes deleted)
Leslie Carlson	...	Tree Man (as Les Carlson)
Jim Hunter	...	Freight Man
Patty Johnson	...	Head Elf

Runtime:

94 min | USA:93 min (20th Anniversary)

Country:

USA | Canada

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

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

Filming Locations:

3159 W. 11th Street, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Company:

Christmas Tree Films

Trivia:

Director Bob Clark mentions in the commentary on the 2003 DVD that he worked with writer Jean Shepherd for nearly ten years on the concept of ‘A Christmas Story’ before the film was made.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Ralphie is decoding Annie's secret message in the bathroom, the text's case on his writing changes from lower case to upper case between shots (watch the "E/e" in "Be"... (Be sure to drink your Ovaltine)).

Quotes:

Ralphie as Adult: [narrating] My father worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium, a master.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas (1999) (V)

Soundtrack:

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

A timeless movie that will never get old

A Christmas Story, there is absolutely no way that anyone could ever say they never saw this film since it's shown every Christmas, especially on TNT when they do the 24 hours of A Christmas Story, lol. But onto the movie, I've watched A Christmas Story since the day I was born, it's one of those films you never get sick of because of the simple fact that each year of your life you could relate to it in some way. Each character has these memorable moments and you could say that you've been in the same situation. It's great seeing this movie because it makes us laugh about the silliest moments in our life during the Christmas season.

Ralphie is a little boy who just so badly wants a B.B. gun for Christmas, it's just his dream. Only one problem, it'll shoot his eye out according to the adults around him. We go through Christmas with Ralphie and his family, his father who is obsessed with a prize leg lamp he won. His mother who is greatly under-appreciated but extremely loving. His brother, Randy, who is your typical silly and annoying younger brother who makes fun of him. And his friends who are on a constant run from the school bully. But all Ralphie can think about during this hard time in his adolescence is that B.B. gun.

A Christmas Story has constant unforgettable scenes, like the pink bunny out fit that Ralphie gets as a present from his aunt, him saying his first swear in front of his dad, Mom and Dad's fight over using the glue on purpose, visiting Santa at the mall, and of course that great ending that is sure to bring a that is sure to bring a tear to your eye. It's just the perfect Christmas movie that is a BIG recommendation for the season. It has great comedy, terrific acting, and just the most touching moments you'll ever see in a Christmas movie.

10/10