Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

The Christmas Martian Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 7, 2023

1971’s “The Christmas Martian” isn’t really a holiday film, but something wackier and stranger. The Canadian production is the first of an ongoing series, with the “Tales for All” franchise looking to provide family entertainment, and the producers really go for a younger demographic with the initial endeavor, which provides 65 minutes of pure Great White North adventures and slapstick featuring an alien visitor clad in netting who’s stuck on Earth. “The Christmas Martian” gets tiresome fairly quickly, but there’s a spunky moviemaking spirit on display that could work for some viewers.

Siblings Cathy (Catherine Leduc) and Frankie (Francois Gosselin) are out for the day, in charge of picking up groceries for their mother and acquiring a Christmas tree in the wild. Plans are changed when the kids meet The Martian (Marcel Sabourin), an alien visitor who’s having trouble with the engine in his flying saucer. As the locals start to wonder about odd things happening around town, Cathy, Frankie, and The Martian enjoy playtime in the snow and deal with mechanical repair, with the children enjoying time spent with this goofy being.

The Martian is a bizarre creature, leaving green footprints in the snow, devouring M&M-like candy, and he uses a giant matchstick to fly. It’s a level of whimsy that’s a little unsettling at times, but Cathy and Frankie love it. Most of “The Christmas Martian” details this new relationship, with the Canadian kids eager to show off their winter wonderland for the visitor, going skiing, snowmobiling, and snow plowing, giving Sabourin plenty of opportunities to showcase his way with physical antics, which is the production’s main source of comedy.

The Christmas Martian Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.66:1 aspect ratio) presentation opens with an information card that reads, "The digitization and restoration of this film remain faithful to the body and spirit of the original work." "The Christmas Martian" looks appealingly refreshed for its Blu-ray release, offering a feel for skin particulars and costuming. Canadian locations are also textured, exploring the snowbound surroundings, which retain depth. Colors capture compelling primaries on clothing choices and interior decoration, and snowy whites are crisp. Martian events with green footprints and spaceship lighting are preserved. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is adequately resolved. Source is in good condition.

The Christmas Martian Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

2.0 DTS-HD MA tracks offer an English dub and the original French-language version of "The Christmas Martian." It's a basic offering of intelligible dialogue exchanges, preserving the wacky antics of the cast. Scoring and soundtrack selections also support with clarity. Differences between the mixes are present, but the English dub offers a slightly crisper, fuller sound reflecting its creation date, while the French track carries age but original sound effects on the Martian's voice and his machinery.

The Christmas Martian Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (18 pages) offers essays by Marc St-Pierre and Marc Lamothe.

• Commentary features film historians Jason Pichonsky and Paul Corupe.

• Audio Interview (12:53) is a conversation with actor Marcel Sabourin, who had feature ambition in Montreal, setting out to achieve his goal. He has a hazy memory about his career, recalling the atmosphere of film sets, but some comments are offered concerning professional achievements. The interviewee details his relationship with director Bernard Gosselin, trusting in the helmer, requiring little knowledge of the part before signing on. Sabourin explores his brief time making family entertainment, happy to delight kids with his work. Some memories of "The Christmas Martian" are provided, examining costuming and the level of risk involved with the Canadian cold and stunts.

• "The Joy of Winter" (15:05, HD) is a 1962 short film.

• "The Beach" (3:29, HD) is a 1978 animated short film.

• "Tales for All" Trailers (32:01, HD) are provided, featuring option commentary from film historians Jason Pichonsky and Paul Corupe.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:25, HD) for "The Christmas Martian" is included.

The Christmas Martian Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"The Christmas Martian" has something of a plot involving engine repairs and local cops hunting for the visitor, which eventually becomes a snowmobile posse. Drama isn't prioritized here, with the feature out to achieve more of a fun factor, and it's debatable if such merriment actually arrives. However, "The Christmas Martian" is determined to be crazy, which is admirable, and if the comedy doesn't succeed, wintry Canadian locations and thespian commitment is certainly enjoyable.