Miracle On 34th Street Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Experience the Miracle.
Discover the Miracle.
If you really believe, anything can happen.
A little girl discovers dreams do come true if you really believe. Six-year-old Susan has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle - Santa Claus. Her mother told her the "secret" about Santa a long time ago, so Susan doesn't expect to receive the most important gifts on her Christmas list. But after meeting a special department store Santa who's convinced he's the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all - something to believe in.
| Richard Attenborough | Kris Kringle |
| Elizabeth Perkins | Dorey Walker |
| Dylan McDermott | Bryan Bedford |
| J.T. Walsh | Ed Collins |
| James Remar | Jack Duff |
| Jane Leeves | Alberta Leonard |
| Simon Jones | Donald Shellhammer |
| William Windom | C.F. Cole |
| Mara Wilson | Susan Walker |
| Robert Prosky | Judge Henry Harper |
| Kathrine Narducci | Mother |
| Mary McCormack | Myrna Foy |
| Alvin Greenman | The Doorman |
| Allison Janney | Woman in Christmas Shop |
| Greg Noonan | Cmdr. Coulson |
| Les Mayfield |
6.00 out of 10 (4695 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Worst...Remake...Ever
posted on 14 Apr 2009The deaf girl is typical John Hughes heavy handedness and is a good example of how this movie is a joke compared to the original. Instead of accepting that the audience would have the intelligence to "get" that Santa speaking dutch could show that he really IS Santa, Hughes has his Santa use bizarrely exaggerated sign language...and it drags out forever. You half expect Hughes to jump into the scene and yell at the audience "SEE?!? He does SIIIGGGNNN LANGUAGE!!! He Really IS Santa!!!" And good 'old Mara Wilson. Can't wait for her autobiography, "Lisping My Way Through Hollywood." At least in the original, the little girl acted.
Remake with excellent cast
posted on 18 Dec 2008As far as remakes of classics go this is certainly one of the better examples. The great strength of this film is the casting which throughout matches the excellent class of the original, and this is no mean achievement.Occasionally the writers felt the need to deviate from the original - perhaps once or twice too often, because the original story was quite modern anyway, i.e. it did not need much updating. Some of these deviations work pretty well (the midnight wedding was a great new idea although left a bit underdeveloped), others very much less so. Using Joss Ackland as a cross between Ebenezer Scrooge and Ernst Stavro Blofeld was a bit daft, but the only real disaster is the resolution of the court case, one of the highlights of the original and a MAJOR let-down in this version.
A good effort, but not up to par with the original
posted on 24 Nov 2008This remake is a decent film on its own, but can't compare to the original version. It lost me right from the beginning with juvenile humour (making the bad Coles Santa the butt of jokes), and never won my interest back. I was particularly disappointed in the ending. The original ending drew the necessary distinction between proving that Santa existed and proving that the gentleman known as Kris Kringle was Santa. For some inexplicable and unjustifiable reason, the remake glosses over that distinction. This cheapened the rest of the film for me. I also preferred the ending in the original version. While I like the direct God/Santa comparison in the remake (suggesting that Santa works through others his miracles to perform), I prefer the manner in which the family obtains their house in the original version. It's a lot more meaningful if they have never seen the house before that minute, as the randomness factor hints more strongly at Kris's actually being Santa.In the same vein, I thought Kris acted too mentally inadequate in this version, talking about the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny as if they were real, and addressing a local reindeer as if it were one of his own. Santa becomes less a person than an ideal of behaviour and attitude, as the overly sentimental script keeps reminding us. He inspires other people to do things instead of being able to do them himself. I suppose that's the point the film is making, but all the same I prefer the less heavy-handed approach of the original.
Don't tamper with perfection
posted on 12 Nov 2008If there ever was a film that did not need a remake, the original "Miracle on 34th Street" was such a film. The original featured a virtually perfect screenplay in which everything works out right against all odds. Above all, it softened the sentimentality with some genuine satire (corporate heads who are so afraid of losing sales that they have to admit that Santa Claus exists)and, above all, with a delightful sense of ambiguity as it leaves open the possibility that Chris really is Santa Claus. The remake just pours on the sentimentality and (spoiler) even changes the ending.
You Really Can't Get Too Much of This Story
posted on 22 Oct 2008Few things are more amusing that reading the comments from the crybaby dishrags who whine about remaking a classic like "Miracle On 34th Street" (1947). How are these weepy rants helpful? Did it need to be remade? No. But the source material is good enough that any number of professionally done remakes would still be entertaining. If this 1994 version had been the original, people would already be crowning it with the classic tag.But it is not the original. It strikes a decent compromise by keeping many of the original story elements, deleting some, updating others, and making a few generally ill-advised additions. There are even some clear improvements. Elizabeth Perkins and Mara Wilson are a much better mother and daughter match than Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara. There is a real chemistry between them and the producers appear to have grasped this connection. This "Miracle" is told much more from their respective points of view and in that sense is much more their story than in the original. Wilson brings a focus and intensity to her roles that few child actors can match. She gave a similar performance the next year in Matilda. Perkins is one of those actresses you don't really notice at first, memorable in "Big" and "Speak" for performances filled with subtle nuances.It is no surprise that Richard Attenborough falls short of the Edmund Gwenn standard but that was Gwenn's signature role; and as much a part of cinema history as Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch. But look for the sequence where Wilson pulls his beard and discovers it is real-this is one of the great all-time scenes.As long as Perkins and/or Wilson are being featured, the film works quite well. And it really only stumbles seriously during the courtroom scene and during the subplot elements featuring James Remar and Jane Leeves. The film staggers along a bit but recovers itself in time for an original and very effective conclusion. As Roger Ebbert said, while it will never replace the original; this is a sweet, gentle, good-hearted film that stays true to the spirit of the original and doesn't try to make everything slick and exploitative. Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Christmas comes but once a year...
posted on 21 Jun 2008And the remake to the classic original MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET makes the wait very worthwhile! Richard Attenborough makes a delightful Kris Kringle, who starts trouble by claiming to be the one, true Santa Claus. Mara Wilson of MRS. DOUBTFIRE also stars as the little girl who at first is cynical about the whole idea of Christmas and St. Nick, but soon Kris Kringle shows her that he does exist. A good holiday flick for the whole family. I'm a teenager, and I thought MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET was a great movie, partly b/c of the film's excellent lack of sap unlike other family movies!
'Tisn't the Season for Romance
posted on 17 Jan 2008The 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street is a remake of the classic 1947 version. It is known to be a great movie to bring holiday cheerfulness to everyone who views it. It is about a little girl who doesn't believe in Santa Claus and then meets a white haired, jolly old man who says he is St. Nick himself. It is a very cute movie to watch with family and friends.The 1994 version goes into more depth than the old version. It also has a different ending. I'm not a fan of how the '94 version ends. I feel that it never should have been changed. This might be a spoiler for anyone who hasn't seen the '47 version, but I enjoyed how all the mail sent to Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) was dumped on the judge's desk. It was a very clear and cute ending. I feel that the newer ending is kind of unclear. All that it says is that everyone must believe in something or someone.I also don't agree with the love scene in the new version. In the old version, the director successfully got away with excluding a love scene. The attention was more toward Kris Kringle and Susan spending time together. It seems that almost every movie has a love story these days and I feel that the love scene between Dorey and Bryan is very unnecessary.If I were to recommend someone a good Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street would be a great choice. Except, I would recommend the original 1947 version, but they are both
Something refreshing for the holidays.
posted on 10 Sep 2007I remember seeing the original movie Miracle on 34th Street, that movie could never be replace with this version. This is the best updated remake of a classic story. There are some difference between the movies, but it is almost the same plot. If I could not find the original movie playing on TV during the holidays, this is the one worth watching.
Not Worthy of the Title
posted on 09 Jul 2007The original Miracle on 34th Street in black and white is a movie for the ages. It is wonderful. I can't imagine a Christmas season not sitting on the couch and watching it with all the decorations around me. That is why this remake truly disgusted me.This movie does not have nearly the same magical feel as the original. Unlike the original, it has no moments that you can't help but have a wide smile on your face. There was no reason for them to make this remake and I have no intention of ever seeing it again. The acting has none of the talent of the original and this movie is an overall failure when compared to the original.
Humbug!
posted on 22 May 2007On a normal level of cinema, this film is only mediocre. Where it fails is that it is a terrible remake of a well-known, well-loved film. And even worse for this film, it's a lousy remake of a well-known, well-loved film that just happens to be my favorite Christmas film of all time.It has a few positives. All right, it has one positive, and that is Richard Attenborough. He brings a genuine delight to the role of Saint Nick, and it is not hard to believe this guy could be the genuine article. Unfortunately, his performance highlights the lousy performances of many of the principles.Dorey Walker is played by Elizabeth Perkins with none of the sympathy given to her by Maureen O'Hara. It's impossible to even dream of her getting married to anyone. Some of this is to be blamed on the script, though, which spends so much time establishing Dorey's cold heart that it forgets she's supposed to be getting our sympathy, not our scorn. Which brings us to the flat performance of Dylan McDermott. He could be replaced with a cardboard cut-out without affecting the flow of the movie. Then we have Mara Wilson. She tends to be more snobby and over-confident than confused, but Wilson is up against Natalie Wood. To be fair, we never get to see Wilson chattering like a monkey for comparison purposes. That delightful scene was excised from the modern version.A rather ridiculous subplot has been added to this remake with a rival store, Shopper's Express, trying to put Cole's out of business (Macy's refused to have their name put in the film). It is headed by the popular 90's villain of choice, the Greedy Evil Mean CEO, Victor Landbergh. He doesn't play much of a role, yet he is supposed to be the encompassing bad guy, evoking images of Lex Luthor plotting the demise of Superman. He even has his own flunkies who attempt to sabotage the department store, skittering around almost like Boris and Natasha. This subplot tends to weigh down on the film, feeling forced in rather than meshing with the film. The pompous psychiatrist of the original works because it was simply one guy with a chip on his shoulder instead of a wicked retail overlord. The former is funny, while the latter is overkill.Actually, that addresses another problem with this film - it takes its subject matter far too seriously. The original film was an enjoyable farce. This one is a somber story, filled with the right glurgy turns to renew our souls or something. Basically, it's way too serious considering the subject matter (an old guy who thinks he's really Santa Claus.) The original had some laugh out loud moments of sharp humor - this one instead attempts to force you to shed tears of sadness and joy. It usually just shed tears of boredom from me.The court decision at the end of the film is not only anti-climactic, but doesn't really address the actual issue - Kris is on trial for lunacy. The only decision to save him is to prove he's REALLY Santa Claus, thus making him sane. This movie can't seem to make up its mind why he's on trial and its ultimate answer for Kris obvious acquittal would fall upon under the lightest of legal scrutiny, where the original film made a compelling legal argument. I can't answer that, but I will say that this film's answer is far off the mark. Please, I beg of you-if you have NOT seen the 1947 Black and White original, then please correct that. This is not an adequate substitute to a film that didn't need one in the first place. They even colorized the old one, so if you hate black and white, then you still have a color option without wasting your time on this.
If you don't like this movie, I can think of one solution: YOU'RE A GRINCH!
posted on 10 Apr 2007How can you not feel warm inside after watching this? Sure, Elizabeth Perkins was a little too subdued for her role, but Richard Attenborough and Mara Wilson make it worthwhile. Attenborough was perfect for Kris Kringle. Even though I know the "secret" of Santa Claus, he made me believe in him for the 114 minutes the film lasted. The part with the deaf girl is really sweet, and you can't help but feel devastatingly sorry for Kris when those slimeballs at Shoppers Express set him up. It's a real shame Attenborough is threatening to never act again if he doesn't get to be Albus Dumbledore. He's a great actor, but not what I had in mind for Dumbledore.Mara Wilson is also adorable and convincing, and, just as Brian says, talks like she's 64. *SPOILER* And the speech she gives about it being highly unlikely she'll get arrested as she gives the judge the card that determines the verdict of Kris's case is priceless!*SPOILER'S OVER.All in all, your heart has to be two sizes too small to not like this.
This is Santa???
posted on 27 Sep 2006I enjoyed the original movie which has since become a classic. When the movie was remade, I was excited about seeing an updated version. The remake is not heartwarming and this sort of movie should be heartwarming. Parts of the remake are very good and, with the exception of Richard Attenborough, all of the actors were very good. The much respected Mr. Attenborough just did not seem like Santa. I watched the movie this past Christmas with family and friends (about 20 of us) and discovered that I was not alone with my discomfort with the part of Santa. The children made comments about him that were surprisingly uncomplimentary. I'm sure the comments were not intended to be commentary on him as a person but almost everyone thought that another actor could have played the part better than he did. The end of the trial, while an interesting twist, did not quite come together well as in the original movie. The end of the movie did not bring a smile to my face. I really wanted to like this movie but after seeing it again, it still falls short. While the original movie is very dated, it remains the superior movie.
Better Than I Thought
posted on 14 Feb 2006Much better that I thought it would be, but why would John Hughes choose a movie that's practically impossible to top an earlier version.The parts that I found irritating were trademark John Hughes like the drunk Santa showing his butt-crack. Still the story maintains its Christmas charm, with good performances from Richard Attenborough as Kriss Kringle and Mara Wilson as Susan Walker, but neither compare to Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood, respectively. I wonder how $$ Santa had in his sack to convince George Seaton, the 1947 version's director and screen-writer, to write another version of his inimitable classic There are so many other better Christmas movies out there, not to mention the 1947 version. It seems a shame that the film-makers tried to redo a true classic.
a holiday treat with minor downfalls
posted on 16 Dec 2005'Miracle on 34th Street' (1994) is a sweet holiday treat filled with warmth and plenty of holiday spirit. Although it is based on the book/1940s film, it is modernised and takes off in its own direction, and the purpose of this review is not to say that one version is better than the other; the purpose of this review is to review this version.The film engages the audience in a delightful little tale about Santa and the magic that is Christmas, with reflections upon the children. We can reflect in our own childhood when watching this film through the eyes of a child to prove that Santa does exist and what Santa is.The only downfalls of the film were some of the acting and some dullness in the story. Also, this film is made more for adults than it is for children. I think it is still enjoyable and worth a watch over Christmas.
Good acting, great remake, wonderful Christmas movie
posted on 10 Dec 2005I totally loved this movie, just as good, acted just as well, great cast. Sir Richard Attenborough was just the one for Kris Kringle. WOW! Dylan McDermontt does great and Elizabeth Perkins shines with beauty and performance. Mara Wilson pursues Natalie Wood with the spectacular role as the little girl in great perfection. I wish Natalie Wood could've lived to see her performance. This was an amazing movie. If you want to have a great Noel, rent both versions. They're so enjoyable
Miracle on 34th Street
posted on 01 Dec 2005I think that this movie is a perfect excuse to watch a Christmas film. The movie teaches us about religion and believing, and i see nothing wrong with that. Mara Wilson is fantastic as the young Susan Walker. I feel that even though she is the smallest of the cast members, she leads them perfectly. If Chritmas films do nothing for you, then show it to your kids, because i am positive that they will love and cherish it. While some disagree, i would say that this movie was a great remake of the 1934 film. If this movie wasn't re-made i don't think i would of even heard of the original. I think the movie was in much need of a re-vamping so that younger people, like myself, would be able to addapt the movie more and to understand it a little bit better. I felt Richard Attenborough was a great Santa who was believable. I would recommend this movie 100%.
Cold and Cynical!
posted on 25 Jun 2005Let me start of my saying that I love the original 1947 black and white Miracle on 34th Street and as a child of the 70's I even like the 1973 made for TV remake that starred Sebastian Cabot as Kris Kringle/Santa and even thought the original is better I though the 1973 remake was good but this 1994 theatrical remake was awful! The actors in it are very good actors but the movie itself was the pits and has all the warmth of an a container of ice cream left out in the snow! It is so cold and cynical and mean spirited compared to the original and even the teenage janitor that befriended Kris in the other versions and was depicted as a sweet almost simple minded kid was mean in this movie and did things that he would never have done in the other movies. In this movie he only pretended to be his friend and betrayed him. Yes he may have seen the error of his ways in the end but I preferred how nice he was in the other movies and he would never had treated Kris that way by talking behind his back and being in cahoots with the bad guys! I would say that the character in this movie needs lump of coal in his stocking!
My favourite movie of all time.
posted on 03 Dec 2004In a time when it seems that every movie you watch must have sex, violence and bad language, this is a real masterpiece without any of those things.Instead it has a a fight against greed and evil, set in a whole background of the magic of Christmas and a bumpy love story.There are some real tear jerking moments in this movie, i9n particular the deaf girl vising Santa, and the marriage proposal. Your heart sinks a few times during the movie, but you are left with an overwhelming sense of happiness at the end.Laugh and cry, but more importantly enjoy.
Why bother?
posted on 25 Jul 2009I've seen this movie on numerous occasions and although it's pleasant it's just not as good as the 1947 original, which is timeless. Maureen O'Hara and John Payne were superb in the lead roles. Richard Attenborough, for my money just wasn't quite Santa-like enough in the remake. Maybe more beard? I don't understand why anyone thought that a remake was a good idea. It's hard to do better than an original which is almost perfect already. The only thing I would say is that young Mara Wilson turned in a better performance than Natalie Wood. Dylan McDermott is also cute and was right for the role in this movie, but to be honest the performance was different but no better than John Payne's in the original. The money spent on making this film could have been better spent on something more original. They were onto a loser from the first.