Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie

Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie

Year: 1985

Runtime: 50 mins

Language: English

Director: Danny Huston

Documentary

The documentary goes behind the camera as Team Salkind works to turn the legend of Santa into a feature film, chronicling the planning, set construction and filming hurdles. Dudley Moore appears as the quirky host Patch, while David Huddleston opens the story in‑character as Santa, offering commentary from cast and crew throughout.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie (1985)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie (1985). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Medieval Era to Late 20th Century

The timeline begins in the Middle Ages and stretches across centuries as the North Pole world and Santa's legend grow. Early scenes emphasize pre-industrial life and folklore, while later segments reveal modernization, invention, and a more contemporary Christmas myth. By the late 20th century, Santa's workload becomes overwhelming, prompting modernization efforts and new adventures.

Location

Medieval Northern Europe, North Pole, New York City

The story starts in a snowy medieval village in northern Europe where Claus and his family craft toys for Christmas. After a deadly blizzard, they awaken at the magical North Pole, home to immortal elves. As centuries pass, Santa's mythic duties expand into global gift-giving, eventually bringing him into modern New York City.

❄️ Snowy landscapes 🧭 Fantasy setting 🗽 Urban scenes

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:09

Main Characters – Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie (1985)

Meet the key characters of Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie (1985), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Santa Claus

The immortal gift-giver who bears the weight of delivering presents to every child. He gradually faces the burden of an ever-growing workload and seeks ways to maintain magic without sacrificing his compassion. In the end, he welcomes Joe and Cornelia into the North Pole workshop as part of his extended family.

🎁 Generous 🧭 Duty-bound 🤝 Mentor

Patch

An industrious inventor driven by ideas for modernization who creates a machine to boost toy production. His creation falters, causing him to resign in shame, but his later schemes point toward redemption through innovative yet risky solutions.

⚙️ Inventor 🧪 Risk-taker 💡 Visionary

Joe

A homeless orphan boy who befriends Santa and becomes a symbol of hope. He rides in the sleigh, forming a bond with the guardians of Christmas, and his ordeal with B.Z. tests Santa's resolve to protect the vulnerable.

🧒 Orphan 🤝 Loyal friend 🫶 Hope-bringer

Cornelia

A wealthy orphan who befriends Joe and helps expose B.Z.'s schemes. She ultimately joins Santa's circle, providing courage and wit in the fight to preserve Christmas.

👧 Orphan 💎 Wealthy 🫶 Compassionate

B.Z.

A unscrupulous toy magnate scheming to mass-produce dangerous products for profit. His actions drive the conflict, including the lollipop and candy cane plans, and he escapes to Brazil before facing justice.

🏗️ Industrialist 💰 Greedy 🧨 Schemer

Dooley

Leader of the North Pole elves who prophesies Claus's arrival and helps guide his eventual mission as Santa.

🧝‍♂️ Elf leader 🗺️ Myth-maker

Donner

One of Santa's loyal reindeer who, along with Blitzen and six others, carries the gift-delivery sleigh powered by magical dust.

🦌 Reindeer 🛷 Flight support

Blitzen

The swift reindeer who teams with Donner to help steer the sleigh during Christmas Eve journeys.

🦌 Reindeer 🛷 Flight support

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:09

Major Themes – Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie (1985)

Explore the central themes of Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie (1985), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Duty & Legacy

Santa's lifelong mission to deliver gifts defines his identity, linking generations through tradition. The story examines how a timeless duty survives changes in society and technology. It also considers what it means to carry a cultural legacy across centuries while remaining compassionate.

⚙️ Innovation vs Tradition

Patch's automation idea and the mass production of toys challenge the old-fashioned toy-making that once defined Santa's workshop. The conflict highlights risks and rewards of modernization, including unintended consequences. The narrative asks whether progress should override cherished traditions or serve to enhance them.

💖 Compassion & Family

The relationships with Joe, Cornelia, and Santa's mentor-like presence emphasize kindness as a guiding force. The story centers on helping vulnerable children and forming chosen family beyond bloodlines. Redemption arcs show that generosity can sustain even a weary old guardian.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:09

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie

Don't stop at just watching — explore Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie Summary

Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie Timeline

Track the full timeline of Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie Timeline

More About Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Santa Claus: The Making of the Movie