The world’s first Christmas-themed film, created 126 years ago, features a simple plot and even rudimentary special effects.
Produced during the Victorian era in 1898 by filmmaker George Albert Smith, the short film, aptly titled Santa Claus, might have been familiar to Queen Victoria herself. Unlike modern holiday blockbusters, Santa Claus runs just one minute and seventeen seconds, perfectly reflecting the filmmaking style of its time, reports LadBible.
The brief film tells a straightforward story: a caretaker tucks a pair of children into bed. While they sleep, Santa Claus delivers gifts to the adjoining room, which the children discover the next morning. The black-and-white silent film captures the essence of a traditional Christmas night in Anglo-Saxon culture.
Remarkably, the film also showcases early cinematic effects. Smith, originally a magician and hypnotist, was among the first to experiment with special effects in movies. According to the British Film Institute, he even corresponded with his French counterpart Georges Méliès, as both sought to incorporate illusions into their films.
Both pioneers would likely be astounded by today’s elaborate Christmas movies. For those looking to revisit holiday traditions and experience the charm of the first Christmas film, a link to the short masterpiece is included below.
