MovieChat Forums > The Bishop's Wife (1948) Discussion > Christmas Movies

Christmas Movies

posted 17 years ago by Jgatewood1440
10 replies | jump to latest

I would like to ask the people that read these postings -- what do you consider to be a 'Christmas' movie. To me a true Christmas movie is one in which the storyline is directly related to atlease one of three things:
a) the relisgious aspect
b) the fantasy aspect (Santa, Rudolph, etc...)
c) the commercialism aspect
There are so many movies out there that consider themselves a 'Christmas' movie but in reality it's a movie that uses Christmas as a back drop to tell a story that has nothing to do with Christmas. I would be inerested in knowing what others think.

[–] JR541 17 years ago

There are films that happen to take place at Christmas and some that deal directly with the Christmas Holiday.

It's a Wonderful Life is perhaps the most famous "Christmas movie" of all time but really it's just a film which has is pivotal day takes place on Christmas Eve. Because of the numerous times it's been shown at Christmastime everyone (myself included) associates it with Christmas. I've had people argue with me saying "Of course its a Christmas movie" but I must disagree.

The 2005 Ryan Reynolds film "Just Friends" takes place at Christmas but it too wouldn't be considered a Christmas movie.

Anything dealing directly with Santa Claus or the Nativity Story is a Christmas movie.

I consider A Christmas Story (1983) to be a Christmas movie but it has many scenes that don't have anything to do with Christmas.

He's taking the knife out of the Cheese!
Do you think he wants some cheese?

[–] Jgatewood1440 17 years ago

I agree 2000 percent. It's a wonderful life, in my opinion, is a fantastic movie but I, like you, would not consider this a Christmas movie. The running time of this movie from beginning to end is 2hrs and 13mins (commercial free.) So with the number of scenes in this movie I believe there are only three scenes during the entire 2hrs and 13mins that are directly related to Christmas. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, most of the scenes take place during warm weather months. You can go on and on. Home Alone is another supposed Christmas movie but that storyline could have taken place during any time of the year that families traditionaly go away on holiday trips. One of my all-time favorite movies is a movie titled 'The Gathering' starring Ed Asner. It's billed as a Christmas movie but again it could have taken place anytime of the year and the storyline would not change. The Bishop's Wife is another favorite of mine but again this is a storyline that would remain the same no matter what time of the year. 'Christmas in Conneticut' could could very well be called 'Thanksgiving in Conneticut'. I think you get my point. Movies that I would consider true Christmas movies would be Miracle on 34th. Street (fantasy) or even 'Jingle All the Way' (commercialism). There are so many feel good movies that are broadcast either on network tv or cable during the Christmas holidays but that certainly does not make them Christmas movies!!

[–] john-cannon 17 years ago

I agree with all the postings on this subject. I think because the Christmas/New Year's season has an atmosphere of reflection as part of it, 'It's A Wonderful Life' ties in with this wonderfully. This is, of course, part of the theme of the movie and lends itself to the last week of December marvelously...so maybe not a 'Christmas' movie, per se - but an end-of-the-year 'holiday' movie. 'Holiday Inn' would fall under this caption, as well.

[–] Jgatewood1440 17 years ago

You're right -- 'Holiday Inn' does fall into that category. The storyline does not have anything to do with Christmas but I think that because of the heavy emphasis placed of the song 'White Christmas' this movie will always be considered a Christmas movie. But I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. Because I don't consider a lot of these movies Chrismtas movies it certainly does not deminish the quality of the movie. These are still very good 'feel good' movies that can be enjoyed during the Christmas holidays and should be enjoyed.

[–] post-orgasmic-mood 17 years ago

When I was growing up, I just loved Santa Clause: The Movie. That to me is the best Christmas movie of all time!

Every Time a Bell Rings, An Angels Gets Its Wings

[–] leonardlikesthispost 16 years ago

Then again, I also like movies that take place during Christmas time, even if they aren't typically Christmas movies. I always list Trading Places among them!

I am not a Frankenstein. I'm a Fronkensteen.

[–] gayspiritwarrior 16 years ago

The events of "It's A Wonderful Life" all take place on one Christmas Eve.

~~SPOILERS!!~~
The townspeople pray for George Bailey. Clarence is summoned and given his assignment. He's [and we're] shown a lengthy flashback of who George is and what's happened to him. The flashback becomes real-time as George goes to the bridge to end it all. Clarence intercedes, then shows George the vision of the world without him. George comes to his senses and returns home to the happy Christmas ending.

Weighing the theme and the unity of setting I call it a Christmas movie. Best wishes to all!

"The value of an idea has nothing to do with the honesty of the man expressing it."--Oscar Wilde

[–] RevisedAndExpanded 16 years ago

Most of It's a Wonderful Life takes place on Christmas Eve. There's about an hour of reviewing his life, but the relevant parts -- the parts that really make the movie -- are the parts that take place on Christmas Eve. And I don't think it would be the same movie if the Christmas elements were removed and it was set, say, in mid-August.

The Bishop's Wife really has nothing to do with Christmas at all. You could set it at any time of year and it would be the same movie. And yet, I still consider it a Christmas movie.

[–] OlLineRebel 16 years ago

IAWL is not a true Christmas movie to me, either, because it really focuses on so much other time period (geez, the guy's whole LIFE!). If they could cut out all the reflection on long past, perhaps I could consider it so.

I consider Bishop's Wife a true Xmas movie (although the movie channel shows it all year - go figure!!), however. If only because it really does deal with all the character problems AT Christmas time - and the bishop gives a sermon dealing with "Christ's stocking" on Christmas Eve. At least 1 gets the Xmas feeling all along, not just at the end.

[–] SamoanJoes 8 years ago

It's hard to say. For example many would say Home Alone is a Christmas movie but some could argue that the family could have been traveling for Thanksgiving and it wouldn't have made a difference.

Personally if the backdrop is Christmas and they're trying for a "heartwarming" feel, then it's Christmas. I don't necessarily mind if there is no conventional Christmas music, but I'd prefer if the score had something related like bells.