IMDb > Elf (2003)
Elf
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Elf (2003) -- MattTrailer.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   37,991 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 48% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer (WGA):
David Berenbaum (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Elf on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
7 November 2003 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
This holiday, discover your inner elf.
Plot:
After inadvertently wreaking havoc on the elf community due to his ungainly size, a man raised as an elf at the North Pole is sent to the U.S. in search of his true identity. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
2 wins & 7 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(124 articles)
‘Iron Man 2′ Trailer in December?
 (From newsinfilm. 23 November 2009, 11:36 AM, PST)

Will Ferrell Is The Most Overpaid Stars As Per Forbes Magazine
 (From Gossipvita. 22 November 2009, 2:55 AM, PST)

User Comments:
An instant holiday classic: Ferrell's crowning achievement to date! more (306 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Buddy - Der Weihnachtself (Germany)
more
MPAA:
Rated PG for some mild rude humor and language.
Runtime:
97 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When Buddy goes to Gimbels to ask Jovie out on a date the song we hear playing over the loudspeaker is "Christmas Island" sung by Leon Redbone. Redbone also provided the voice of Leon the snowman at the North Pole. more
Goofs:
Factual errors: The trucks on the skateboard that Santa gives Michael are facing the same way. It would be impossible to turn like that; a skateboard is put together with the trucks facing opposite each other. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Papa Elf: Oh, hello. You're, uh, you're probably here about the story. Elves love to tell stories. I-I'll bet you didn't know that about elves. There's, uh, probably a lot of things you didn't know about elves. Another, another interesting, uh, elfism, uh, there are only three jobs available to an elf. The first is making shoes at night while, you know, while the old cobbler sleeps.
Disgruntled Cobbler Elf: Lazy bum! Couldn't even make a clog!
Papa Elf: You can bake cookies in a tree. As you can imagine, it's, uh, dangerous having an oven in an oak tree during the dry season. But the third job, some call it, uh, "the show" or "the big dance," it's the profession that every elf aspires to. And that is to build toys in Santa's workshop.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in 101 Most Unforgettable SNL Moments (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
Winter Wonderland more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
12 out of 14 people found the following comment useful.
An instant holiday classic: Ferrell's crowning achievement to date!, 10 November 2003
Author: george.schmidt (george.schmidt@hbo.com) from fairview, nj

ELF (2003) *** 1/2 Will Ferrell, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart, Zooey Daschanel, Daniel Tay, Amy Sedaris, Faizon Love, Andy Richter, Kyle Gass, Michael Lerner, Artie Lange, Peter Billingsley, Peter Dinklage, Claire Lautier, Jon Favreau. Ferrell gives an inspired lunacy turn as a man who was raised by elves at The North Pole and discovers to his dismay he's actually human sparking his quest to be re-united with his long-lost father (Caan in an inspired bit of casting), a 'naughty-list' occupant, who works as a children's book publisher in New York City, just in time for Christmas. Hysterically funny thanks to the goofy yet sweet and wonderful turn by Ferrell (no one else could pull off the razor's edge of looking like an idiot yet retaining the innocent glee of a child and bares a striking resemblance to Tom Hanks' turn in 'BIG') with a great cast especially the beguilingly pretty Daschanel as his fellow Santa's Little Helper at Gimbels'who he falls in love with. Directed with style and witty warmth by Favreau (who has a cameo) and written by newcomer David Berenbaum with a smart, fun script that caters to all ages with a nostalgic nod to classic animated holiday specials for good measure. An instant holiday classic. Trivia note: Billingsley, best known as Ralphie from the yuletide cinematic classic, plays 'A CHRISTMAS STORY' the elf foreman!

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Message Boards

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Rated as the 8th Best Christmas Movie of all time kevin_brink
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BEST LINES stargirl925
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