Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash.Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash.Fred Claus, Santa's bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash.
Movie and TV Santas We Love
Movie and TV Santas We Love
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn trying to come up with a name for Santa's brother, Jessie Nelson, who came up with the idea for the film after her daughter asked her if Santa has a family, hit upon "Fred" while watching The Godfather (1972) on television. The name "Fred" is an homage to the character Fredo Corleone, the unreliable middle child of the Corleone family played famously in The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974) by John Cazale
- GoofsAt the Siblings Anonymous meeting, Roger Clinton explains that he got upset watching footage of his famous brother Bill on the History Channel making his 1993 State of the Union Address to Congress. There was no State of the Union address in 1993 as Bill Clinton had just become President and the traditional speech never takes place during an inauguration year.
- Quotes
Fred Claus: Nick, there's been one thing that's been eating at me since I've been here. That Naughty-Nice List that you got? There's no naughty kids, Nick. They're all good kids. But some of them are scared. And some of them don't feel listened to. Some of them had some pretty tough breaks too. But every kid deserves a present on Christmas.
- Crazy creditsThe opening logos are covered in snow and Christmas tree lights.
- Alternate versionsOn the TBS and TNT airing, the credits are in a box with a black screen in the background.
- ConnectionsEdited into Fred Claus: UK Premiere Special (2007)
- SoundtracksSanta Claus Is Back in Town
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Performed by Elvis Presley
Courtesy of The RCA Records Label
By Arrangement with Sony BMG Music Entertainment
By early December I am quite eager to screen the subject of this review, the oddly maligned and ignored, "Fred Claus" (2007). And my question, every year, is always the same: "Why the heck isn't this film more loved?"
"Fred Claus" stars the absurdly improvisational humor of Vince Vaughn as Fred, the beautiful, and zany Elizabeth Banks, the highly versatile Oscar winners Kathy Bates and Rachel Weisz, and Oscar nominated Paul Giamatte as The Big Man himself, Santa Claus (and also Fred's younger brother). But this particular movie isn't really about Saint Nick. It's about his big brother, Fred.
To say this movie has no charm would be incongruous with reality. To say it's not funny would be blasphemy. Indeed, there is more charm and humor in "Fred Claus" than one would expect in its well-paced one hour and fifty six minutes. Plus, it's beautifully filmed, and features several ingeniously clever special effects.
As always, no spoilers here, but I can reveal that most of the action takes place in chilly Chicago and the even chillier North Pole. It's the Christmas season rush at the North Pole and there is much at stake, notwithstanding the future of St. Nick and his Elves. "Fred Claus" has it all: Drama, humor, adventure, romance, and even a handful of subtle, uplifting messages. It's not War and Peace. Its not Citizen Kane. It's "Fred Claus."
Sure, this film didn't quite light up the box offices. And yes, it lost a lot money. But so did "The Wizard of Oz" and "It's a Wonderful Life." (Both are now considered pure classics). Still, when it comes to art and entertainment, Time is often the wiser. Give "Fred" another chance. Pretty please?
After all, even Ebenezer Scrooge eventually came to his senses, albeit belatedly. But he was better for it in the end.
- Sunsphxsuns
- Oct 20, 2021
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- El hermano de Santa
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $100,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $72,006,777
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $18,515,473
- Nov 11, 2007
- Gross worldwide
- $97,838,349
- Runtime1 hour 56 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1