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The Nightmare Before Christmas (Special Edition) [1994]
from Touchstone Home Video
starring Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Glenn Shadix
directed by Tim Burton

Features:

• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

For those who never thought Disney would release a film in which Santa Claus is kidnapped and tortured, well, here it is. The full title is Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, which should give you an idea of the tone of this stop-action animated musical/fantasy/horror/comedy. It is based on characters created by Burton, the former Disney animator best known as the director of Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and the first two Batman movies. His benignly scary-funny sensibility dominates the story of Halloweentown resident Jack Skellington (voice by Danny Elfman, who also wrote the songs), who stumbles on a bizarre and fascinating alternative universe called ... Christmastown! Directed by Henry Selick (who later made the delightful James and the Giant Peach), this PG-rated picture has a reassuringly light touch. As Roger Ebert noted in his review, "some of the Halloween creatures might be a tad scary for smaller children, but this is the kind of movie older kids will eat up; it has the kind of offbeat, subversive energy that tells them wonderful things are likely to happen." --Jim Emerson

On the DVD:This Special edition is a must for all Burton fans with the biggest gem to be found on a DVD release--"Tim Burtons Early Films" which holds his first two works. Vincent is clear predecessor of Nightmare before Christmas using the same stop-animation style and voiced superbly by Vincent Price himself; and Frankenweenie--a B&W live-action flick--takes you back to early B-movie territory seen through the eyes of a boy. Added to these films is a great special-features menu including a short documentary offering an interview with Burton, which exposes the inspiration for this magical animation and presents the three-year task of making the "Nightmare". On top of this is an in-depth commentary by director Henry Selick and Art director Pete Kozachik and layer upon layer of "character development" offering an insight into the intensity of thought that went into making these animated figures real. You also get a great selection of storyboards along with the sequences they manifest into, deleted storyboards and an animated sequence with a surprise alternative ending. The menu is beautifully animated in keeping with the style of artwork in the film. With a 1.66:1 widescreen format and Dolby digital transfer this charming DVD is perfect for Halloween, Christmas and beyond! --Nikki Disney

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Monumental
  This is such a classic film which I have loved since my early childhood. The characters are amazing and the soundtrack will stay with you for years to come. A family favorite for both halloween and christmas and any other occassion!

• The Best Nightmare I Ever Had!
  I remember seeing this film back in the 90's when I was a kid. It was Christmas Eve, and about 1 o'clock in the morning. I had stayed up specifically to watch the film and i wasn't disappointed. What i found was a whimsical film, dressed in typical Tim Burton stylings played along to another fantastical Danny Elfman score. The minature sets drew me in so much, that I challenge anyone not to be completely taken into the world that has been created for the film. The film starts ofF stronger than it finishes,... more info

• An epic masterpiece.
  I remember seeing this film the night before christmas when i was about 7 it freaked me out so much, years later I bought it on dvd and what a film. I usually don't like musically but this has a haunting feel to the film which makes it alot better. I think Tim Burton is a genius I have seen Ed Wood and his re-make of Charlie and the chocalte factory & there excellent. The animation to this film is incredible, the characters are excellent the story is very clever. It can be a bit childish but who... more info

• Nightmare Before Christmas
  'The Nightmare Before Christmas' is one of those wonderfully atmospheric films that has easily stood the test of time. It is as delightful and quirky now as when it was initially released. The stop-motion animation is superb and the dark Tim Burton Characters are perfect for the story. Danny Elfman provided the music and songs for this film and they stick in your head at first listen and you can't help but grin and sing along with subsequent viewings. The story is unique and fun and although it has a very... more info

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