Like Cheetos, this movie is dangerously cheesy. But since it's a Christmas movie, I think it can get by with it. It offers a pretty unique take on Santa Claus and I love that the Dutch folk character of Black Pete (or Zwarte Piet) has been turned into an actual helper for Santa rather than his evil opposite that delights in torturing bad children. It's also nice that the racist implications for the Black Pete character have been stripped away by making him a positive black character instead. Also, James Earl Jones is in this movie and I say that's a good reason on its own to see it. All in all, it's a fun, wholesome family movie and even adults without children can get into the story and characters. An underappreciated Christmas flick.

Oh yes! What a wonderful Christmas story. I, too, just "happened" across it when flipping channels a few years back and was mesmerized. It IS indeed a lovely story and I have watched for it every year on television, in video stores and told others (who have no idea what I am talking about). I would most definitely purchase it if it was available knowing it would be watched each year. I am perplexed as to why it has had no more play and was not advertised. It is clearly a loss when one sees the "drivel" put out each year that are called Christmas stories which are really just an excuse for a Harlequin romance. Albeit there are Christmas decorations and the characters wear red and green. Anyway, Santa and Pete..see it if you can!

I saw the movie Santa and Pete a few years ago on T.V. and I thought it was really great. James Earl Jones has a great voice and is a wonderful narrator. It is a well told Christmas story with a few odd twists and new idea's of how Santa becomes the man we know and love today. With the help and friendship of a black man named Pete, Santa grows and evolves through the years. This new character combo definitely has the makings of a true Christmas classic. I would love to see this movie come out on DVD as I would love to share it with my children. I recommend this movie to anyone who gets the chance to see it, if it ever comes around again!

I love reading stories to my children. It was great seeing James Earl Jones gently tying the movie together by playing a grandfather telling his grandson this very special story. I was delighted with the setting of early America. The story was filled with a mix of familiar and less heard elements of the Santa Claus traditions. Perhaps this stems from European origins, which fits well with the early American setting. The movie also did well to transcend multi-cultural lines that so many Christmas stories fall short of. My young children love viewing Christmas stories all year around. I am anxious for this to become available on VHS or DVD. "Santa and Pete" is a must see for those of you who love the feelings surrounding the Christmas holidays.