4.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
Santa Claus has safely returned to Earth after being kidnapped by Martians. Pia Zadora (eight years old) plays the part of one of the Martian children in this exciting tale of Santa against the universe...or at least, Mars.
Starring: Pia Zadora, Vincent Beck, Bill McCutcheon, Leonard Hicks, Leila MartinComedy | 100% |
Holiday | 50% |
Sci-Fi | Insignificant |
Family | Insignificant |
Fantasy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 2.5 | |
Video | 3.5 | |
Audio | 3.5 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
1964’s “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” was something of a throwaway production, generated to make some money on the children’s matinee circuit, giving young audiences a holiday tale at the local theater while their parents sought peace and quiet elsewhere. It wasn’t meant to stand the test of time, but here we are in 2024, and the film is now enjoying its second Blu-ray release. Some may assign nostalgia and repeated television airings of the movie as the primary force behind the title’s amazing pop culture endurance, but I believe credit belongs to movie riffing, with a classic 1991 episode of “Mystery Science Theater 3000” helping to bring the feature to a wider audience (Cinematic Titanic and Rifftrax also had their way with the picture). The ridiculousness of “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians” makes the offering an easy target for mockery, and it’s certainly more of a challenge to sit through the endeavor without the added laughs, as the low-budget fantasy and strange hostility of the effort is glacially paced and horrifically overacted. Sure, it’s made for kids, but a little extra pep and more inventive writing certainly doesn’t hurt.
The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation of "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" is listed as the "Roadshow version preserved from Something Weird's 16mm print" (87:58). What's included here is an entire program of holiday messages and theater ads before and after the main feature, along with an intermission. Those looking for a solo presentation of "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" should seek their Dropo high elsewhere. The viewing experience is pretty much all wear and tear, displaying damaged and skipped frames. Scratches and reel changes are present. And warping appears from time to time. Detail goes about as far as it can, offering a general sense of frame information. Softness extends to sets and costuming. Color does battle with age as well, as some control of pinkness is present, and reddishness is present in skin tones. Primaries are cranked to restore some vibrancy to the image, delivering deep blues and greens. Delineation isn't strong during space travel.
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a basic understanding of dialogue exchanges, which do some battle with sibilance issues, but nothing too severe. Intelligibility is present throughout the viewing experience. Scoring is basic, lacking sharpness, but a general understanding of instrumentation is present, along with vocals.
"Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" tries to add excitement with a polar bear attack and Kimar's use of Torg, a robot tracker hunting for the kids. However, the movie is mostly packed with filler, including long slapstick sequences and lots of stock footage of the "military" preparing to battle the Martian threat. Most interesting is the level of anger in the writing, which focuses on Voldar's lust for blood, doing whatever he can to make sure Santa and the children don't return home for Christmas. It's a small offering of hostility in a largely vanilla production, and one that's out to spread holiday cheer to young viewers who haven't sharpened their sense of cinematic appreciation yet. The dull feature is best served to these young minds, while everyone else should only watch the movie fully riffed to get the most out of the viewing experience.
1964
Special Edition
1964
Remastered Edition
1964
Collector's Edition
1959
1953
Collector's Edition
1996
1955
1991
1996
1957
1959
1956
1968
1980
1965
1959
Warner Archive Collection
1984
The Love Factor
1969
1990
Collector's Edition
1987
1992
1994
Limited Edition - 2,000 copies
1985