Santa's Apprentice
| Company type | Animated film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Predecessor | SantApprentice (TV series) |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Products | Animated Christmas feature film |
| Parent | Gaumont-Alphanim, Flying Bark Productions, Avrill Stark Entertainment, Cartoon Saloon |
Santa's Apprentice, originally titled L'Apprenti Père Noel in French, is an animated Christmas feature from 2010. The film was produced through a collaboration between Gaumont-Alphanim and Flying Bark Productions, alongside Avrill Stark Entertainment and Cartoon Saloon. Its narrative draws inspiration from the animated television series SantApprentice, which was created by Jan Van Rijsselberge.
A related but independent follow-up titled The Magic Snowflake premiered in France on 20 November 2013.
Plot
The narrative unfolds in Sydney, Australia, centering on Nicholas, an orphan residing in a Himalayan orphanage who maintains a firm belief in Santa Claus despite being teased by Grincroch. On Christmas Eve, Nicholas’s closest companion Felix is adopted and moves to the United States, leaving behind a lucky charm for Nicholas.
At the North Pole, the Council of Retired Santas determines that Santa requires a new apprentice—specifically an orphan with a sincere heart. Santa chooses Nicholas over Grincroch and brings him to the North Pole for his training. There, Nicholas meets Mrs. Lovejoy and is gifted Rufus, a living polar bear toy. His training involves mastering toy crafting, chimney climbing, and other essential Santa skills.
Meanwhile, Felix and his family encounter financial difficulties after relocating to America. A fire caused by Nicholas’s error damages the Christmas presents; however, he successfully repairs them. Felix sends a letter via the orphanage caretaker to Nicholas at the North Pole, requesting assistance in securing a new home for his family.
On Christmas Eve, Nicholas aids Santa in preparing gifts and delivers the magical ball necessary for distributing toys. Together they embark on delivering presents worldwide, including providing Felix’s family with a new house.
Upon returning to Sydney to distribute toys, Nicholas is mistakenly identified as an impostor and detained. Grincroch seizes the magic ball and shrinks several individuals. Santa convinces local authorities of his true identity by recounting previous gift deliveries. Following a confrontation over the magic ball, Santa persuades Grincroch to amend his behavior.
Utilizing the magic ball, everyone is restored to their original size. Santa officially adopts Nicholas as his apprentice and future successor tasked with managing the orphanage. Little Beatrice accompanies Nicholas back to the North Pole as they begin their new adventure.
Cast
| Character | French | English | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia/ Becker Film Group | United States/ Weinstein Company | ||
| Nicholas Barnsworth | Nathan Simony | Jack Versace | Cole Sand |
| Santa Claus | Benoît Allemane | Shane Jacobson | Michael Sorich |
| Beatrice Lovejoy | Delta Goodrem | Bailey Gambertoglio | |
| Mrs. Claus | Magda Szubanski | Mary Pat Gleason | |
| Humphrey | Max Cullen | Andy Morris | |
| Waldorf | Hugh Sheridan | Richard Tatum | |
| Nicholas Grincroch | Shardyn Fahey-Leigh | Gabe Eggerling | |
| Felix | Valentin Cherbuy | Holly Fraser | Cristina Pucelli |
| Felix's father | Bruno Salomone | Kristian Schmid | Robert Cait |
| Felix's mother | Julie Gayet | Jacinta Stapleton | Salli Saffioti |
| Mrs. Palmer | Georgie Parker | Fabiana Arrastia | |
| Inspector Stevens | Michael Sorich | ||
| Constable Gallagher | Robert Cait | ||
| Constable Stevens | Terrence Stone | ||
| Contrary Santa | Jean-Pierre Marielle | Jim Pike | Michael Sorich |
| Grumpy Santa | Jim Pike | Terrence Stone | |
| Insane Santa | Jim Pike | Robert Cait | |
| Scottish Santa | Jim Pike | Terrence Stone | |
| Absent-minded Santa | Jim Pike | Robert Cait | |
| Jokey Santa | Jim Pike | Terrence Stone | |
| Nightmare Santa | Michael Sorich | ||
| Reindeer | Chris Leaney | Henri Ubatti | |
| Little Boy | Sam Fraser | Cole Caplan | |
Release
Santa's Apprentice made its debut in France on 24 November 2010. The English-language version was first shown in Australia on 10 November 2011. Distribution in the United States was handled by The Weinstein Company, which also planned a release in the United Kingdom. On December 20, 2015, the movie became accessible on Netflix within the U.S. market.
Home media
In Australia, the DVD edition was issued by Paramount Home Entertainment on 7 November 2012. The United States saw a DVD release on 1 November 2016, packaged as a double feature alongside The Magic Snowflake.
Reception
According to the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Santa's Apprentice holds a 78% approval rating, with an average score of 5.50 out of 10 based on nine critic reviews.
Awards
At the 2011 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Santa's Apprentice was honored with the UNICEF award.
Sequel
The follow-up film, titled The Magic Snowflake (original French title: L'apprenti Père Noël et le flocon magique), premiered in France on November 20, 2013, and saw a limited release in Canada on November 30, 2013.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 2010 animated films
- 2010s French animated films
- Gaumont (company) films
- Gaumont Film Company animated films
- Gaumont Animation
- Cartoon Saloon feature films
- French Christmas films
- Films scored by Nerida Tyson-Chew
- 2010s children's animated films
- Animated Christmas films
- Flying Bark Productions films
- 2010s French films
- Films set in Sydney
- Films set in the North Pole
- Santa Claus in film