"The Night Before Christmas" is probably a title that is known to many and actually even back in 1905, so over 110 years ago, this already existed in film. The director is Edwin S. Porter and he brought Clement Moore's poem to the screen here. of course, it is a bit tough looking at how this is a silent film and they could not recite the poem audibly, but this is not a major problem here. I did not really care for the scenes of the kids playing on the bed for example, but it was all about the moments during which we see Santa and also his reindeer occasionally. I think this can be a really good watch during the holidays. Certainly worth checking out again when the snow falls. I give it a thumbs up, 11 minutes worth seeing.

What a delightful nostalgic gem from Christmas past. I could just feel the excitement and wonderment this film would have brought to audiences of 1905, especially the children. This Edwin S. Porter directed film for the Edison Manufactoring Company is very well done for it's time and follows the poem, Twas The Night Before Christmas nicely. With appealing scenes of Santa feeding his reindeer, making toys in his work shop and looking over his who's been naughty and nice list, these enchanting scenes further the magical story. We also see a family, with the children anticipating the arrival of Christmas morning too excited for sleep, having a pillow fight in their beds. For antique toy collectors this film is for you, as Santa leaves a wonderful assortment of beautiful toys, and he even provides the Christmas tree !!. Whoever played Santa was a perfect choice, he looks like the Santa from the old postcards of the time and he charms all the more with a terrific close-up wishing all a Merry Christmas to close the film. I really appreciated watching this purely enjoyable very early silent film, that still captures the imagination. There are several postings of this film on YouTube, watch and be delighted.

this is by far my favourite movie I've ever seen... I loved it and if you haven't seen it I recommend it. (though your going to have a rough time looking for it...) i saw it on pay-per-view in 1997. it was Christmas time at my house and I had a great time watching this movie. it is the most compassionate movie ever made in the history of history... I think that other than this movie, the passion of the Christ would be my favourite movie. if you liked the passion of the Christ watch this movie... it is an inspiring of the extremely famous children's story. in my opinion anyone should pick up this movie and watch it. 10/10

This film was made by Edwin S. Porter for Edison in a style consistent with "The Great Train Robbery", though not containing quite as many setups. It is loosely based on Clement Clark Moore's original poem, and only includes brief snatches from the text in the form of titles. The opening scenes are short and deal with Santa's activities at the North Pole, as he feeds hay to his reindeer, works with his elves and updates his "list". Then it cuts to a rather long scene in a household with several children getting ready for Christmas and being sent up the staircase to bed. The most remarkable sequence in the film follows, as it consists of an elaborate turntable diorama portraying Santa, reindeer and sleigh traveling from the North Pole's icy wastes to the bright lights of the city. Some of the reindeer seem not to gallop quite consistently, but it is still an amazing achievement for a 1906 film. Then, in a scene well-known via an oft reproduced still, Santa is seen on rooftop, dropping his sack into the chiminy and going down it himself. The next scene is set in the same household as before, with Santa installing presents, stockings, decorations; he even puts up the tree! (This is followed by a title which is either misplaced or once led to scene which is now missing). The title is followed by another long scene where the children run down the stairs, open presents, jump around and generally involve themselves in the merriment and joy of Christmas. The film closes with a close-up shot of Santa with the caption "Merry Christmas To All." While "The Night Before Christmas" is not cut of quite the same ground-breaking cloth of the "The Great Train Robbery", it is still immensely charming as an early Christmas film, and the diorama constructed for Santa's journey is quite an impressive special effect for this era.