The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Director:

Henry Selick

Writers:

Tim Burton (story)
Michael McDowell (adaptation)

Release Date:

29 October 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Fantasy | Musical

Tagline:

Tim Burton's classic returns in 3-D so real, it's scary.

Plot:

Jack Skellington, king of Halloweentown, discovers Christmas Town, but doesn't quite understand the concept.

Plot Keywords:

Christmas | Halloween | Pumpkin | Woods | Christmas Tree

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Danny Elfman	...	Jack Skellington Sung By / Barrel / Clown with the Tear Away Face (voice)
Chris Sarandon	...	Jack - Speaking (voice)
Catherine O'Hara	...	Sally / Shock (voice)
William Hickey	...	Evil Scientist (voice)
Glenn Shadix	...	Mayor (voice)
Paul Reubens	...	Lock (voice)
Ken Page	...	Oogie Boogie (voice)
Edward Ivory	...	Santa (voice) (as Ed Ivory)
Susan McBride	...	Big Witch / WWD. (voice)
Debi Durst	...	Corpse Kid / Corpse Mom / Small Witch (voice)
Greg Proops	...	Harlequin Demon / Devil / Sax Player (voice) (as Gregory Proops)
Kerry Katz	...	Man Under Stairs / Vampire / Corpse Dad (voice)
Randy Crenshaw	...	Mr. Hyde / Behemoth / Vampire (voice)
Sherwood Ball	...	Mummy / Vampire (voice)
Carmen Twillie	...	Undersea Gal / Man Under the Stairs (voice)

Also Known As:

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (USA) (complete title)
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas in Disney Digital 3-D (USA) (promotional title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some scary images.

Runtime:

76 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Portugal:M/6 | Brazil:Livre | Netherlands:AL | Iceland:L | Spain:7 | Ireland:PG | South Korea:All (re-rating) (2006) | Hong Kong:IIA | South Korea:12 (original rating) | South Africa:10M | New Zealand:G | Peru:PT | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | Finland:K-10/7 | Germany:6 | Iceland:LH (video rating) | Iceland:L (original rating) | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | UK:PG | USA:PG (PCA #32583)

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Touchstone Pictures

Trivia:

Behemoth is based on B-movie actor/Swedish wrestler Tor Johnson.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): After Jack orders Lock, Shock, and Barrel to kidnap Santa, they immediately set off, and by the very next scene, they are already back with a wrong catch (the Easter Bunny). Jack points them then into the right direction, and the trio start their "mission" anew. However it takes an inexplicably long time for them to return, more than 30 days, in fact. Considering that they managed to kidnap the real Santa Claus in mere seconds and how quickly they caught the Easter Bunny earlier, it shouldn't have taken them so long.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Santa: 'Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems in a place perhaps you've seen in your dreams. For the story you're about to be told began with the holiday worlds of auld. Now you've probably wondered where holidays come from. If you haven't I'd say it's time you begun.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#30.16)" (2003)

Soundtrack:

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS

Enthralling film, but more Lock, Shock and Barrel needed!

The Nightmare Before Christmas has captivated me with its crazy and sinister animation, its haunting soundtrack and its horrific yet enchanting characters. When it was first released in the U.K., the trailers terrified me and I refused to go and see it. However, I have now aquired deeply sadistic humour and so relish in such brilliant and infectious songs like "Kidnap the Sandy Claws". My friends and family now get exceedingly annoyed by my attempts to recite the musical score on car journeys etc. The sets and props are amazing and painstakingly detailed-just take a look at Santa's list and the Halloween/Christmas plans. I only have one complaint; there should have been more appearances from Lock, Shock and Barrel: a thoroughly malevolent trio.