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The Flight Before Christmas (2008)
Niko - Lentäjän poika (original title)

G  80 min  -  Animation | Adventure | Comedy   -  10 October 2008 (Finland)
6.4
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Ratings: 6.4/10 from 1,157 users  
Reviews: 15 user | 20 critic

A young reindeer who suffers from vertigo learns to overcome his fear, takes flying lessons from a clumsy flying squirrel and heads to the North pole to save a troubled Santa and his fleet of flying reindeer.

Directors:

Michael Hegner, Kari Juusonen

Writers:

Hannu Tuomainen, Marteinn Thorisson, and 1 more credit »

Stars:

Olli Jantunen, Hannu-Pekka Björkman and Vuokko Hovatta
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1 photo | 5 videos | 7 news articles | full cast and crew »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Olli Jantunen Olli Jantunen ...
Niko (voice: Finnish version)
Hannu-Pekka Björkman Hannu-Pekka Björkman ...
Julius (voice: Finnish version)
Vuokko Hovatta Vuokko Hovatta ...
Wilma (voice: Finnish version)
Vesa Vierikko Vesa Vierikko ...
Musta Susi (voice: Finnish version)
Jussi Lampi Jussi Lampi ...
Räyskä (voice: Finnish version)
Risto Kaskilahti Risto Kaskilahti ...
Rimppa / Uljas (voice: Finnish version)
Minttu Mustakallio ...
Essie (voice: Finnish version)
Juha Veijonen Juha Veijonen ...
Raavas (voice: Finnish version)
Puntti Valtonen Puntti Valtonen ...
Hirvas (voice: Finnish version)
Elina Knihtilä Elina Knihtilä ...
Oona (voice: Finnish version)
Juulia Rönkkö Juulia Rönkkö ...
Saaga (voice: Finnish version)
Tommi Korpela Tommi Korpela ...
Susilauman johtaja (voice: Finnish version)
Aarre Karén Aarre Karén ...
Isoisä (voice: Finnish version)
Arttu Hämäläinen Arttu Hämäläinen ...
Poropoika 1 (voice: Finnish version)
Ilmari Huhtala Ilmari Huhtala ...
Poropoika 2 (voice: Finnish version)
Full cast and crew »
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Storyline

A reindeer boy named Niko dreams about flying like his father, whom he has never met. Despite constant mocking from others, he sneaks out of his home valley to take flying lessons from Julius, a flying squirrel. Written by jcsmarchesi  

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Reindeer | Flying Squirrel | Santa Claus | Cartoon Reindeer | Avalanche  | See more »

Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

Bac Films [France] | MG Film [Croatia] | See more »

Country:

Finland | Denmark | Germany | Ireland

Language:

English | Finnish

Release Date:

(Finland) See more »

Also Known As:

Jelencek Niko See more »

Filming Locations:

Finland

Box Office

Budget:

€6,100,000 (estimated)
See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinemaker Oy, Anima Vitae, A. Film See more »
Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the most expensive Finnish animated film. See more »

Goofs

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): When Wilma and Julius use an old log to block the river flow, Julius jumps on it in search of Niko, but suddenly an ice block hits the log, causing him to lose his balance. As soon as the shot changes, Julius's left hand penetrates into the trunk. See more »

Crazy Credits

At the end of the credits: 21.858 liters of beer were consumed during the making of this movie! See more »

Connections

Followed by Niko 2: Family Affairs (2012) See more »

Soundtracks

"Happy Christmas!"
Written By Stephen McKeon
Finnish lyrics by Annamari Metsävainio
Performed by Vuokko Hovatta See more »