The Nightmare before Christmas Movie Review 1993

Back when he was a animator trainee at Disney, Burton came up with this adventurous idea but couldn't get it made; subsequent directorial success brought more clout. Relies on a painstaking stop-motion technique that took more than two years to film and is justifiably amazing. The story revolves around Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of the dangerously weird Halloweentown. Suffering from ennui, he accidentally discovers the wonders of Christmastown and decides to kidnap Santa and rule over this peaceable holiday. Fast pace is maintained by the equally breathless score. Not cuddly, best appreciated by those with a feel for the macabre.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 75 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Fantasy, Christmas, Kidnapped!, Disney Animated Movies, Animated Musicals, Halloween

Screenplay

Caroline Thompson, Tim Burton, Michael McDowell

Cinematography

Pete Kozachik

Director

Henry Selick

Music

Danny Elfman

Other

Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Ken Page, Ed Ivory, Paul (Pee-wee Herman) Reubens, Glenn Shadix

Producer

Tim Burton, Denise Di Novi, Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista